Baileys Blog

Plus 4 and dry when driving in.

I am still recovering from what the handicapper did to two of my Aintree chasers yesterday..

Espoir De Romay up 5lbs for falling, so I just hope Richard Young is right in his thoughts..As for poor Happygolucky, up 8 for winning by just under 3 lengths.. and there were no Irish runners in either race to compare!!

We now have some top chasers in the yard..First Flow heads the list with 166, Imperial Aura 162, Espoir De Romay 160, Vinndication 159, Happygolucky 157, Two For Gold 150, El Presente 147, and One For Rosie 145..

As a matter of interest.. Envoir Allen has a BHA rating of 164 as has Monkfish...

Back to today.

David Bass, Ciaran Gethings, Chester Williams and Harry Beswick were in to ride out..

Great to have more visitors today to enjoy the sunshine..

Second lot

John and Mandy Battershall were here to see their KBRS horses Younevercall, Lord Apparelli and Hendra House.

Michael and Mary Dulverton were here to see their Aintree winner Happygolucky and Sammeo, Hamilton Dici, Newtide, Talk Of Fame, Kyntara and Sayadam.

Paul and Elizabeth Kellar was here to see her horse Mon Palois

Darren Smith, whose birthday it is today, was here to see his KBRS horses Vinndication and Arthurs Sixpence.

Third lot

Alan and Sally James were here to see their KBRS horses along with Mark and James Taylor who were here to meet their KBRS horse Tantoli.

Philip Case and his friend George were here to see Philip's KBRS horses Hendra House, Parc D’ Amour, Percy Veering and Fair Frontiers.

Louis Gill was here to see his KBRS horse Wild Presentation.

We have two runners today at Cheltenham. Java Point and Rockys Treasure run there and for my thoughts please click here.

Now that I am older..

Life is like a helicopter. I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.
 
It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.
 
Marriage Counsellor: Your wife says you never buy her flowers. Is that true? Me: To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers.

Todays non virus video nasty..

Minus 3 and dry when driving in.

How special was it to be back racing with owners, and an outside bar!

Huntingdon Racecourse could not have been more helpful and they even had a team of directors showing everybody where to go, and where to find the outside bar..

All 4 of my horses ran well and although we did not come with a winner it was not the worst days racing.

Aliandy finished 4^th.. that was better from him.. badly interfered with at the second last did not help his cause.. Gerard Mentor was far too free and that will change with experience.

Grey Flint far too high in the handicap for what he has done but he still ran well although whether the handicapper will relent is a different matter while Samatian showed huge promise for the future when finishing 6^th in the bumper.

Tuesday..

Younevercall and Fubar had an away day.

Todays visitors…Claire Wright and Panda Christie were here third lot to see their KBRS Grapevine horse Starvoski.

Jon Sancaster was here to see his KBRS horse Percy Veering

John and Pat Lee were here to see their KBRS horses Voyburg, Does He Know, Galante De Romay, Parc D’Amour and Fair Frontieres.

Cilla Wills was here to see her KBRS horse Voyburg.

Graham Potts was in for his Tuesday vet visit.

This weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts are..Adjourned down 1 to 65 and Diamond Gait down 2 to 68 both on the flat..Subway Surf down 1 to 112, Two For Gold down 3 to 150, Vinndication down 1 over fences to 159 and down 2 to 153, Happygolucky up 8 to 157 and the really annoying one is Espoir De Romay who goes up 5 to 160 for not winning.. He is now on the same rating at Chantry House. A double wammy for his owners..

These headlines are needed as I feel that the way our horses are handicapped makes our life so difficult.. I wonder if the Irish handicapper would have put Espoir De Romay up 5 for not winning!

Now that I am older..

I think I'll just put an "Out of Order" sticker on my forehead and call it a day.
 
Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.
 
Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.
 
It’s weird being the same age as old people.

Todays non virus video nasty..

0 degrees and snowing hard when driving in.

And although I know the pubs open today.. I have not been in one since midnight!!

But..

I have to say it was a bit of a shock to wake up and find 3 inches of snow on my car roof and the whole place was white.. This happened almost to the day about 11 years ago when I was running our local point to point.. I had to cancel.. and again like now it was not forecasted on my BBC weather app..

Saturday..

Happygolucky..What a great name for a racehorse? He was majestic when winning at Aintree for Michael and Mary Dulverton..Happy really jumped and raced like a true pro and to think it was only his 5th start over fences.. 12121.

It was a great family day out for the Dulverton’s as there were 12 of them in total.. the beauty of having two runners on the day.. 6 people per horse..

The day did not start well as Vinndication stopped like something was wrong, as it proved to be the case when scoped after.. he along with Ajero both had disappointingly dirty scopes after their races.. why when only two days before their races they were clean? If only they could talk!

It might seem strange but Saturdays Grand National meeting was one of the most enjoyable days racing I have been to over the last 12 months.

Aintree did owners proud and although most drank more water than they have ever done so in their lives they were made to feel very welcome and wanted.

There was an atmosphere on the course and there was great anticipation for the big race and when the runners for the Randox Grand Nation were in the parade ring, bar the fact that it was emptier than usual, you could almost feel that we had returned to the tension felt two years ago when it was last run.

It was a great race and gosh how lucky we were to be there to witness history being made when Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to win the historic race. 15 horses finished the race.. 12 were Irish including all the first 5!

Always a tough meeting and we had our winner, but it could so easily have been two. Espoir De Romay was probably unlucky.. oh how I felt for his owners..there was a moment for a Grade One winner for them and then it was over.. Thankfully all our horses returned in one piece.

Yes history was made and racing hit all the front pages for all the right reasons..Rachel Blackmore has saved the day and well done to Henry De Bromhead.. what an extraordinary season those two have had.. Henry is a good man and also a very good trainer.

I spent most of yesterday at Bath cricket ground watching Archie play.. God it was a cold watch..

Monday and the start of a new week....Two weeks of our season left.. and then we start again!

We have four runners today at Huntingdon. Aliandy, Gerard Mentor, Grey Felix and Samatian and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.,

Now that I am older..

Kids today don't know how easy they have it. When I was young, I  had to walk 9 feet through shag pile carpet to change the TV channel.
 
Senility has been a smooth transition for me.
 
I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented. I forgot where I was going with this.
 
A thief broke into my house last night. He started searching for money so I got up and searched with him.

Happy birthday to David Curtis...

Todays non virus video nasty..

0 degrees when waking in Liverpool.

Jockeys wore Black armbands.. What a sad day with the death of the Duke Of Edinburgh.. A remarkable man and an institution.... Deepest thoughts to Her Majesty and all her family..

Well yesterday certainly tried to test my temper..

Ajero sadly and rather annoyingly ran below par and reasons will appear.. Perhaps a typical end of season run?

Espoir De Romay well what can I say.. He probably would have won us another Grade one if he had not fallen two from home.. But you don’t win Graded races by falling!.. Hugely frustrating as he was going so well.. Thankfully he is fine and will have other days.. A huge horse with a huge future, just so annoying that yesterday he was not able to show the racing world.

Two For Gold missed the break.. the start was a fiasco and our race was over as soon as it started and then DB fell off him when TFG cut the Canal Turn tighter than DB!

So not a good day.. at least the sun shone and the racecourse looked amazing!.. And all three are ok after their races.

Saturday morning at Thorndale

Norman Carter was here third lot to see his two horses Samatian and Diamond Gait and his KBRS horse Voyburg.

We have two runners today at Aintree. Vinndication and Happygolucky and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Well who will win the Grand National.. Cloth Cap the shortest favourite for years..My other horses at all odds. Kimberlite Candy,  Potters Corner and Talkischeap..

At what point can we just start using 2021 as profanity? As in:  “That’s a load of 2021.” or “What in the 2021.” or “abso-2021-lutely.”
 
Ate salad for dinner. Mostly croutons and tomatoes. Really just one  big round crouton covered with tomato sauce, and cheese. FINE, it was a  pizza.... OK, I ate a pizza! Are you happy now?
 
A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live  longer than men who mention it.

Todays non virus video nasty
 

Plus 4 and dry when driving in

Adjourned finished 3rd last night at Chelmsford last night.. Ran to form. Turf next

Great racing to watch at Aintree yesterday. Sir Alex Ferguson, involved in the first three winners..

Warren Bolton was here second lot to see his KBRS horses Balleticon, Galante de Romay and Donnie Brasco.

Day two of the big Aintree meeting and we have three runners there.. It is Ladies Day..Sadly there will be no memorable sights this year!

Ajero, Espoir De Romay and Two For Gold.. Yes interesting runners and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Is the handicapper right with allotting Espoir De Romay with a rating of 155? Higher than horses who have either won and been placed in Grade ones?..Either he is right or the handicap system is wrong?

Predictably Another Venture did not make the cut to be able to run in Saturdays Grand National.. His season is now over.. no soft ground around the corner..The good news is that he is qualified for the final of the valuable veterans series final which is run at Sandown next season..

Further news from yesterday.. My mate Teddy Grimthorpe has decided to step down as Juddmonte's racing manager.. I am afraid he turned down my offer as pupil assistant.. not sure why..especially when I used to employ him many years ago when he worked for the BBA!

Now that I am older..

Don’t be worried about your smartphone or TV spying on you. Your vacuum cleaner has been collecting dirt on you for years.

If you can’t think of a word just say, “I forgot the English word for it.” That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.

I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.

I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.

I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.

Todays non virus video nasty

Plus 4 and dry when driving.

A bit cold to start the County cricket season?

Early start taking a 4 youngsters for an away day..I Spy A Diva, Guerlain Bellevue, Glancing Glory and The Getaway 4 year old gelding out of Charming Leader...

The first day of the three day Grand National meeting at Aintree..

Last year it did not happen as we all know so it is good to be racing there again, even though there will be no crowds, but at least six owners can attend and watch their horse perform..

A great deal has happened since the last Grand National Meeting two years ago and perhaps the saddest moment was last June when Aintree's racecourse Chairman Rose Paterson died.

Rose was a true guiding light at Aintree and the racecourse thrived under her Chairmanship..

The saddest of days yes, but today Aintree, through sponsors Randox Health, have renamed the Foxhunters to Rose Paterson Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase in her memory.

It will be a very difficult day, and probably a proud day, for her husband Owen and their three children who have have just launched The Rose Paterson Trust.. 

As we all know the the suicide epidemic is terrifying and anything we can do to help is really so important.

Todays racing at Aintree is called Liverpools NHS Raceday in appreciation of all their hard work.

We don't have any runners there today, but we do one this evening at Chelmsford.. Adjourned runs there and for my thoughts please click here.

Aintree.....Todays titbits..

Outside drinking laws from April 12^th

You can go inside the pub to get outside then sit inside a covered area, as long as it is outside.

You can go inside to the toilet, but can't go to the toilet outside.’

You can go inside to pay, but must stay outside to drink.

If it rains you can sit inside the covered area, but only if it outside

If you decide to go home, you go inside the pub to get outside to walk home to be inside again.

You can walk past the bar to go to the toilet inside, but must not carry a pint back outside.. This is only safe if done by the bar staff.

Only bar staff can take a drink outside to you while you are inside the outside covered area.

You can sit on the floor outside at the park or the beach and get coffee or food from a stand outside. However you must sit and be served at a table if you are inside a pub area, even if it is outside

You can sit with 6 people unless you have a big family, then you can suit with as many as you like.

A meal no longer protects you while drinking and the virus no longer comes out after 10pm, but only if you are outside.

We hope this makes it clear.. We look forward to seeing you..

Todays non virus video nasty..

Minus 3 and dry when driving in.

Scarified my lawn last night and then mowed the moss off it.. It snowed while mowing!

David Bass, Chester Williams, Ciaran Gethings and Harry Beswick all in to ride out.. First Lot, Second Lot

Busy day on the visitor front..

Second lot.

Peter Jones was here to see his KBRS horses Yeavering Belle and Wild Presentation.

David and Fran Ratcliffe were here to see their KBRS horses Arthurs Sixpence, Chazza, Parc D’Amour, Vinndication and Voyburg

Mary Dulverton was here to see Happygolucky, Sammeo, Sayadam and Talk Of Fame. The Dulverton’s other horses Newtide, Kyntara and Hamilton Dici are all being roughed off in preparation for their summer holidays

Third lot..

Nicholas and Cherry Jones were here to see her horses Inca Rose and Rose And Thistle.

Nick Cook was here to see his KBRS horses Balleticon, Hendra House and Younevercall.

Dick and Ann Bradford were here to see their Grapevine  KBRS horse Starvoski.

These made me chuckle.

They say one glass of wine in the evening is good for your health, but how many should I be having in the morning?

I like to watch Love Your Garden when I have my tea and then True Crime before bed. I feel really confident being able to bury a body and know what to plant on top of it.

I saw the list of the top 100 things to do before you die for dolphins and "swim with humans" was not on it. 

Tax avoidance is like snogging in public. Disgusting, unless you personally are involved.

Todays non virus video nasty..

Minus 2 and dry when driving in.

We did not run Aliandy as we felt the ground had dried enough to warrant waiting for another day..

Tuesday..

Samatian and Saint Bibiana had an away day..

Paul Higgs was here this morning to see his KBRS horses Chazza, Voyburg and Percy Veering

This weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Donnie Brasco down 2 to 108, Lord Apparelli down 1 to 105, Prince Llywelyn down 1 to 106, Those Tiger Feet down 2 to 106 while Duke Of Earl enters at 94

No runners today..

Last weeks Newmarket purchase Pay The Pilot is currently enjoying a post sales break with Jason Maguire..Telescope is a sire I like.. we already have two youngsters here by him and we like both and this article made intersting reading in todays Racing Post.

Put your phone away and Pay attention to those talking to you. There’s an app for that, its called Respect.

Todays non virus video nasty..

Plus 5, dry and windy when driving in

Dry, yes dry.. Hard to believe when we have had such  a hard/wet winter.

Shantou Express hated the faster ground at Haydock on Saturday; he has had a busy season and has run on all sorts and types of ground.. Saturday just might have been one race too many for this promsing young horse.. while Subway Surf ran a blinder yesterday at Market Rasen.. but finished second.

Family day for the Bailey’s which included going to Withington Church.. Followed by lunch with Clare brother's Michael and his family.. outside.. it was a lovely day.

Archie on Saturday played his first game of cricket of the summer for Dumbleton and won..

A typical Bank Holiday ?

Monday morning and we had visitors..

Stewart, Bev and Jack Wright here to see their KBRS horses Tantoli and Wild Presentation

Ian and Jo Brotherton to see their KBRS horses Vinndication , Arthurs Sixpence, Tantoli, Shinobi and Subway Surf

Joseph Vallint to see his KBRS horse Percy Veering

Graham Potts our vet was in to scope potential Aintree horses.

We have one runner today at Chepstow..Aliandy heads there and for my thoughts please click here...

Aliandy is now a non runner due to drying and fast ground..

Richard Johnson retired on Saturday. A true hero and a wonderful ambassador to our sport. Champion jockey and just a lovely man.

Sadly unless I missed it, his retirement failed to make the sports news on BBC!

Richard might like this..As do we all..

I've seen better days, but I've also seen worse.

I don't have evertything that I want, but I do have all I need.

I woke up with some aches and pains, but I woke up.

My life may not be perfect but I am blessed.

Todays non virus video nasty