Baileys Blog Search

Plus 11 and raining when driving in. 5mm overnight

I don’t often get excited about a phone call, but when I saw that Lauren Hawkins was ringing me yesterday afternoon I was thrilled. How good it was to speak to her.

I had a long and amusing conversation with Lauren, and it was just so good to hear from her. Still in Gloucester Hospital but hoping to be home shortly. She sounded great and was very chatty.. Mrs B had a short word with her too..

Putting the phone down with a smile and heartfelt thanks that she rang.. Shortly after that I received a text from Elizabeth Kellar who was equally thrilled to have had a long and meaningful conversation on the phone with Lauren. Elizabeth owns Fairie Cutlass the horse that Lauren had her fall on.. Yes, it was great to hear from her.

I left for Wolverhampton with Norman Carter in a very happy mood.

There was not a huge crowd there but the owners and trainers’ room was busy. Norman in good form and the three chaps on our table who had had a runner in the first were happy that their horse was second joined in on our conversations.

It started to rain as we headed down to the paddock and being a fair-weather jump trainer, I was not prepared for this to happen .. No raincoat or hat… Charlie Moore came to the rescue and lent me his hat on the guise that it was important to keep his customers happy.. Thanks Charlie..

Talking rain.. Norman hosts our local weather station in Winchcombe..September rainfall in 2022 was 40.2mm. 2023 was 48.6mm and 2024 was 235.4mm..staggering!

Samatian ran well to finish 4th. Still far too high in the handicap but with a few pounds off and 2 miles he just might win..

Tuesday morning..We have our usual vet visit and this week’s mover and shaker was Gerard Mentor down 1 to 91.

Our in house 5 to follow will be ready to join later and I will put a link on here tomorrow,.. It will close on Monday so you will have to be quick with your entries..

I am heading to Huntingdon early to attend a NTF meeting.. Not sure how many trainers will be there..

Talking Huntingdon we have two runners there this afternoon. Shady Wadey and El Rio and for my thoughts on their chances please click here.

The Times Literary Festival in Cheltenham has started.. I hope to find time to go and listen ..

Tough going in Parkistan.. Hot!....The Womans team beat South Africa in the T20 World Cup 

Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend Finney.

“Did you see the paper?” asked Gallagher. “They say I died!!”

“Yes, I saw it!” replied Finney. “Where are ye callin’ from?”