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Plus 11 and very foggy when driving in.

I would have happily settled for one winner over the weekend from our four runners.. So YES I am happy.. As I did..

Sadly it was not my own horse Harde Fashion, who incidentally finished second on the bumper at Stratford, but the unbelievably tough and brilliant horse El Presente

What a race for the Wincanton feature The Badge Beer Chase on Saturday.. David Bass, brilliant jockey that he is, surpassed himself with the ride he gave El Presente. The pair were tough and honest.. well within reason. But it was a staggering race to watch and a staggering result by the shortest of heads.. You need to watch to appreciate, but honestly it was very special.

Delighted for his owners Francis Brooke, Mark Davies, Charles Yarborough and Richard Pilkington.. Special day indeed; but a huge thanks to Antonia Davies and her mother Bridget Chittenden for being there, as without somebody to celebrate with, it would have been pretty depressing.

So exciting, but annoyingly I fluffed my lines in the post-race interview with Alice Fox-Pitt when I said the naughtily said the word ‘shit’ when describing the owners last season when it all went wrong for them due to the heavy ground.... Sorry .. please forgive me..

Saturday was one of those days when you pinch yourself, because you cannot believe your luck..I really did not expect to win as I thought EP, who had already had a fab season, was one race too far..

Anyway it was brilliant and many thanks to all the team here at Thorndale as not only did EP win best turned out, but he won the big race of the day..

Sunday, or rather yesterday, was certainly not an anti-climax as Miss Gemstone ran a blinder to finish second on her first start over fences and Prince LLywelyn finished 3^rd in his first chase, and then our bumper horse Harde Fashion ran a blinder to finish second.. (oh by the way his owners are keen to sell.... he should win next time..?)

I have to look back and say we had fun and with owners on Saturday and owners yesterday we all made it a great day out, even in these difficult times... Yesterday..Martyn and Sandra Steer Fowler, John and Veronica Full and Peter and Bertie Bennett-Jones..

Monday morning and fresh horses... we like that.

We have just the one runner today at Kempton.. Younevercall runs there and for my thoughts on his chances please click here.

Who would have thought that two men in their 70s could maintain and election for so long.. and the oldest man won!

To finish.. my emails are down so if you have sent me one over the weekend there is a possibility it has not arrived.. Hopefully it will be sorted this morning.

Todays non virus video nasty..