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Minus 1 and dry at Thorndale

Two very welcome winners at Ascot yesterday.

I always enjoy racing at the Berkshire racecourse and it has been very lucky for me over the years and yesterday was no exception.

El Rio who should have won at Chepstow three weeks ago (fell at the last)  certainly made up for it by hosing up by 11 lengths in the maiden hurdle. Jumping off in front he never saw another horse.

Thrilled for his KBRS  owners The Rio Grandees who are John Benson, Jane Beyts, Phil Case. Nick Cook, Tim Caven, John Garrett, Christopher Hill, Allan James, John Lee and David Simkins.

Two For Gold has had nothing go right for him this season was allowed a chance by the handicapper who dropped him 6lbs for his poor run at Cheltenham.

The drop in weight allowed him into this excellent veterans series and on paper he had a wonderful chance and TFG was so happy to be in a slightly lower grade and just ran and jumped for fun. His jump at the last summed up his day.. huge!

We finished the day with an excellent second with Espoir De Romay who showed that he was at last coming back to himself..Shantou Express sadly though ran rather like many did a couple of weeks ago..

Whatever it was a great days racing in the sun for those there and for me it was a huge tonic watching on my phone in my ward..I watched in total silence trying not to get excited.. just in case my fellows guest in my ward thought I was watching a blue movie!!

PS on Ascot. Two good winners and the Racing Post has no mention of either horses in Jonathan Harding's race day report.. very disappointing for their owners..Perhaps it was all in my dreams?!

This time of year ground dries quickly.

Uttoxeter on Saturday survived a 6.30 inspection due to the ground being saturated, but by the time they raced the heavy had almost gone out of the ground conditions.

Top Target was running a cracker but he was struck into on one of his hind legs by another horse and David gradually pulled him up. Racecourse vets were on the case immediately and patched him up..hopefully he will be ok when this has settled down.

Getaweapon ran well to finish third.. she ran to form.. owner John Perriss was impressed with the new owners arrangement and equally impressed with how they were looked after.

Monday and a new week.. 

The expectation of winners (no pressue Mat) now heads to Ludlow where we run Bobhopeornohope and Thruthelookinglass.. For my thoughts please click here.

Thanks for all the texts, emails and WhatsApp messages. I am doing fine although feel a bit if a pin cushion. Plenty of cocktails taken over the weekend although not my normal ones?