Brotherly contemplation.
Another beautiful morning and it looks like the July Meeting will be blessed with glorious sunshine for all three days.
We worked 15 on the watered gallop first lot followed by three juveniles second lot. Bill and Tim Gredley were in attendance to see Vereri Senes, who holds a couple of entries at Lingfield on Wednesday. Bill and Tim were quite rightly in jubilant spirits following the fine success of Big Orange yesterday.
We were also joined by Gavin Hunter, former trainer and a master of his craft, alongside Harry, who is staying with me during the Sales. Trade seemed reasonably strong yesterday – I tried to secure American Hope, the Hunt Cup sixth, but eventually had to settle for underbidder.
Legendary jockey Joe Mercer also came in to say hello.
All went well with our owners lunch yesterday. The food was good and the wine flowed freely – hopefully not too many souls are overly worse for wear today.
We have another busy day in prospect as Mrs D and I are attending the Darley lunch followed by speech day at South Lee School. Martha, our youngest, leaves there next week.
Unfortunately that does mean we cannot be at Ascot as Sagaciously makes her seasonal reappearance in the mile and a half fillies’ handicap.
Her form at two was solid, with the Montrose having worked out well this year, and she is bred to be a middle-distance filly hence the step up in trip. This looks a competitive race on paper, with three or four potentially ahead of their marks, but it is a nice starting point which will tell us where we go for the rest of the season.
With the ground very quick and the forecast dry, neither Prince Gagarin or Manndawi will be heading to Longhcamp on Tuesday. We could do with a break in the weather for both.
The cricket is beautifully poised – a couple of wickets in the first hour and the advantage will be ours. Murray vs Federer could be a thriller – enjoy if you are lucky enough to be at either event!
Why is the Royal Ascot form failing to stand up thus far? Has the quick ground taken more out of horses than we think? The first four in the betting for the Cherry Hinton all ran at the Royal meeting – are we ripe for an upset? Something to ponder for the afternoon!
A nasty incident for Ryan Moore yesterday - I hope his injuries are not too serious and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Back tomorrow.
Ed