We started the day with a real rogues gallery riding out for us this morning.

Towcester Clerk of the Course Robert Bellamy was in to show how he used to do it; Robert, who used to be a  good jockey in his youth, last rode out for me in East Ilsley when Paul Croucher was my stable jockey, he also had the odd ride for me too.

Robert brought along his hugely talented 14 year old son Tom, who also brought along his best mate, in the shape of Willie Twiston Davies, son of the Thin Farmer from Naunton!

Tom and Willie are not only best mates but huge rivals in the world of pony racing; both want to be jockeys and judging by how they ride they should have a great chance of out doing their respective fathers. We also had Sophie Steel, Tristan Bailey and Mat Nicholls riding out.

David Hibbert called in second lot to watch Oshkosh work with The Alflora Gelding. David has been an owner with me for well over 10 years also has shares in Predestine and Willing Weasel.

Willie McCarthy called in late morning to school Paddy's Tern over fences; Paddy might be going to Towcester on Monday if we have rain.

Withington, our local village, is holding a 3 day event  over the weekend where my daughter Pandora has been performing.

It was Panda's second novice event and we watched with pride as she sailed round the very tricky cross country course.

James Davies was in for a couple of lots this morning. He rode work on Braybrooke Lady  first lot, who worked with Even Flo and then cantered Ptibaby second lot.

The post arrived this morning bearing a piece of paper that confirmed that I am now certified and competent to drive horses, ponies, donkeys and mules for over 8 hours. I just hope that I don't have too many of the latter to cart around for over 8 hours!

I am looking for really good home for a sound honest ex racehorse. 16.1 a winner, but his future must not include racing or point to pointing, he would make a fabulous hunter, show horse for the right person. If you are that person please get in touch and if you live in the west country that would be even better.

Richard Killoran was in this morning for a couple of lots.

It was a morning of good old fashioned April showers, it poured first lot and the sun was hot and bright second. Richard rode work on Kay For Karbia and Ptibaby and then he schooled Katy's Classic over fences with Heartofmidlotian second lot.

Our last runner of the season ran ok for her first venture over hurdles, Galathea finished 4th. Worcester was fairly soft and took some getting especially after a winter of being flooded, not surprisingly it had a fair amount of moisture under the surface.

I did not attend Worcester's first meeting as I was still on my way home from a lunch in London with Keith Ellis. Keith who owns GOD(Good Old Days) kindly invited me to join him as his guest for the 35th Annual Luncheon of the St Georges's Day Club.

It was a pretty right wing event and with some very interesting speeches.

The president Air Vice-Marshall G.C (Larry) Lamb presided over the lunch which included a parade of English Roast Beef, (which was later eaten) brought on stage, carried shoulder high by 4 good strong livered men, accompanied by music from the marching band of The Blues and Royals.

This was followed by an appeal on behalf of Airborne Forces Charities by General Sir Mike Jackson and a most enlightening speech by Major General Patrick Cordingley.

There was a great deal of flag waving and singing; hardly a night at the proms?

It was fun and with over 1500 people crammed in the Great Room at The Grosvenor House Hotel it was as you can imagine fairly boisterous. Racing was represented on a table about 5 away from ours by Mark Kershaw of Newbury Racecourse fame and the two Hannon boys, Richard and Henry

''There is a forgotten, nay almost a forbidden word which means more to me than any other. That word is 'ENGLAND'. Once we flaunted it in the face of the whole world like a banner. It was a word of power. But today we are scarcely allowed to mention the name of our country.

I want to revive the grand old name of Englishman!''

The above was a quote from Sir Winston Churchill.

Jason Maguire was in for a couple of lots this morning; Jason has laid low with a flu bug for the last couple of days and not feeling too good, he must be feeling off as he did not ride at Towcester last night. Jason schooled All About Trigger, The Good Guy, Lord Of The Bridge and Ptibaby over hurdles and Willing Weasel and Katy's Classic over fences.

Our weekly visit from our vet Graham Potts has postponed this week as he had also been laid low with a virus ''Viral Vertigo'.' Poor chap was last seen walking with the aid of a stick and has been told that he cannot drive for a week. Graham said the symptoms are similar to been drunk as he has lost all co ordination but without the pleasure of even tasting any alcohol.

Galathea is our last runner of the season tonight at Worcester.

Some people will tell you that there are very few gentlemen left in the Sport of Kings which to some is good news, well I totally disagree.

Thankfully our sport is literally littered with the good honest hard working gentlemen who have given their lives to our sport; some might have been born with the supposed silver spoon but they have, on the whole, been dedicated and hugely honest in everything that they have done with in the sport.

We have one such person riding out with us. Tristan Bailey (no relation..sadly) owns large chunks of land locally and enjoys all the pursuits that a country gentleman should, but not only that he also puts a great deal amount back into the sport (Tristan has horses in training, including a share in The Good Guy) and of course the local community; topping all that he is hugely popular.

Tristan likes nothing better than showing off his riding skills; he was once, in his youth, a good point to point rider and rode on the flat in France and over fences here, so being able to pop over and ride a lot occasionally, when time allows, is very beneficial to all.

Tristan, who also has been known to ride out for the Thin Farmer and John Hills, this morning put Braybrooke Lady through her paces when she worked alongside Russian Lad and Alan O'Keeffe; both went very stylishly I am pleased to say.

While on the subject gentlemen in racing, one of the finest and most popular is about to loose his job. The Jockey Club Racecourses recently announced they will be rationalising their workforce and singled out Carlisle Clerk of the Course Jonnie Fenwicke-Clennell, as a candidate for the order of the boot.

Jonnie who has been a stalwart to northern racing (not the company) and since 1971 he has been a regular on the point to point commentary circuit is the type of person who should not be loosing his job.

Racings hierarchy seems to think the youth policy is far better format than the tried, tested and respected old fashioned format of genuine knowledge.

So incensed are the racing fraternity of the north that Tony Dobbin has set up a Cumbrian Resistance and started a web site. So if you too agree that this is a step too far please log on and sign up.

A rather wet miserable morning.

Tom Siddall was in for a couple of lots; he rode All About Trigger and Galaxia who he also schooled over fences. Tom was due to ride Galaxia at Plumpton this afternoon but rain there has made the ground soft, which is not suitable for Galaxia's first venture over fences; Galaxia will now wait for next season.

Jenny Winch, who was my secretary in Lambourn, sent this email ''I see you’ve been taking my name in vain on your website – ruling your life like a rod of iron – what rubbish!'' She did carry on about a few other topics which I sadly cannot print, Jenny then ended by plugging her new business venture.

Jenny was well known while I was based in Lambourn as possibly the best gardener around, she certainly had the best garden, which if you were very lucky you were allowed to admire. Now Jenny, who is a very keen golfer when she is not working for Fiona Marner has used her undoubted talents on a new venture which should keep her busy.

Thank you for all the emails regarding poor Longshanks departure, they are hugely appreciated. This picture on the right was taken last summer by Sue Orpwood and shows what a wonderfully kind horse he was.