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Plus 6 and dry when driving in.

Punchestown.. What a great experience and for those who have never been before an unforgettable one.

After last years visit where the owners and trainers experience was not brilliant, this year they pushed the boat out and produced an owners and trainer tent run by my old jockey JP McNamara. JP was there to make sure you had a day to remember.

A great buffet and a great atmosphere was created which for those lucky enough to have runners will remember.

Our day did not start that well when our Aer Lingus flight from Bristol was an hour late taking off.. The thoughts of another missed days racing were there but thankfully we made it in time. ITM organised our trip and all those who went from this side of the Irish Sea brilliantly. Very professional and hugely helpful.

The racing was thrilling again and our two runners ran ok without hitting any sweet spots. Abbreviate was handier than planned while Younevercall was the other way round. Abbreviate's run petered out turning for him while Younevercall kept passing horses, but having missed the break he did well to finish were he did (7th). Thoughts of if only… Anyway all owners had a great day and surely a night too but we headed home before the last.. Our Ryanair flight was a hour late taking off..

Keith and Liz Ellis who own Abbreviate stayed in a hotel next to Willie Mullins's yard and met the great man in the bar.. Yesterday they had a personal tour with Willie around his yard.. They were understanably hugely impressed..

If you have never done Punchestown.. you have missed out..

Tom Bellamy was in for two lots this morning. Ryan Hatch was here with Tom to watch the horses.. Good to meet and see him.

Graham Potts our vet was also here.. routine..

We have our last runners of the 2016/12017 Jumps season today.. It has been a long one and we are all looking forward to a break.. Our first runners for the new season are on Monday… yes a long break to look forward to?

At Huntingdon we run Royal Supremo and Trojan Star while at Chepstow we run Such A Legend and Nicely Indeed.. For my thoughts on their chances please click here.

Some more Oxymorons to  consider

Why is it called “after dark” when it is really “after light”?

Doesn't “expecting the unexpected” make the unexpected expected?

Why are a “wise  man” and a “wise guy” opposites?

Why do “overlook” and “oversee” mean opposite things?

Why is “phonics” not spelled the way it sounds?

If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?

If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

If  love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

To finish happy birthday to Tyler Daintith.. Tyler is 22 today..