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Plus 3 and dry when driving in. Dry the roads were not as it poured with rain over night.

Vinndication.. What a star. Yesterday he was truly impressive when winning the feature race at Huntingdon, The Sidney Banks Memorial Novice hurdle. What more can I say but 4 from 4 so far in his career. This big friendly horse will keep on improving as he is only just learning about racing. He jumps for fun and just loves racing, what more could you ask for.. Peter Kerr heads a very happy team of owners the Moremoneythan syndicate.. To watch his race

I said yesterday I would be heading home in a good or bad mood, and I can home with both as the rest of my day did not go to plan.

Abbreviate was second and looked like he did not want to pass the winner.. they were 16 lengths in front of the third. Glenforde stopped like he was shot after jumping the second last looking like he would win.. something amiss there. Braw Angus never went a yard and finally at Huntingdon Sea Story ran a blinder to finish 4th under a penalty beaten 5 lengths.. There might not be much of Sea Story but my she is certainly tough.

Up at Doncaster Dueling Banjos folded quickly after the second last.. So I was not quite in the best of moods heading home..

More sad news as I rang Gerry Worcester, who has a share in Vinndication, to give her the good news of her horse only to be told that her husband Michael had died just before the race.

Michael Worcester, who had not been that well for a while, has been associated with me for many years.

When I was training in Lambourn he sent me several horses including Mr Mulligan to train.

Mr Mulligan only ran once for me and that was at Newbury when he fell on the flat after the 11th fence when well clear. Michael at the time had several horses in training with different trainers decided to buy a yard in Lambourn and brought Noel Chance over from Ireland to train all his horses.

The rest as they say is history as Noel trained Mr Mulligan to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Michael went on and sold Looks Like Trouble who was Noel’s second Gold Cup winner.

Michael and I were friends for many years and it was a great that he appeared back here with horses last season and we trained him a winner at Towcester with Shaluna.. Michael loved his racing and horses will be much missed and our thoughts go to Gerry, who of course we will still see through her connection with Vindication.

Supper last night in The Old Butchers to celebrate Mikey Elliot's birthday..

This morning Mr Macho and Time For Another had an away day.

We have just the one runner today at Kempton. Imperial Aura is my first runner for Ian Robinson and Imperial Racing and for my thoughts on his chances please click here.

WOMAN’S POEM:

Before I lay me down to sleep, I pray for a man who’s not a creep,

One who’s handsome, smart and strong.

One who loves to listen long,

One who thinks before he speaks,

One who’ll call, not wait for weeks.

I pray he’s rich and self-employed,

And when I spend, won’t be annoyed.

Pull out my chair and hold my hand.

Massage my feet and help me stand.

Oh send a king to make me queen.

A man who loves to cook and clean.

I pray this man will love no other.

And relish visits with my mother.

A great many people go on holiday at this time of year.. some cannot stop dreaming of fishing..