Friday 14 November

The first day of a very long weekend, and IB was off to Cheltenham. He arrived at the course in good order despite getting stuck in traffic in Cheltenham for the best part of 40 minutes! The weather did it's best and we all had a very good day, the drinks were flowing before the races and everyone was in very good form. Alice turned out our little chap looking a million dollars, and was rightly rewarded with the Best Turned Out award for all her hard work. IB looked stunning in the paddock, but in reallity, the overnight rain on top of the heavy rain earlier in the week meant that our chance of featuring at the business end had probably gone. Sam bounced our chap out in a perfect position, but was soon aware that the ground was not suiting him one little bit, and even had to give IB a couple of smacks as they ventured out for the second circuit, to get him to wake up a bit. To his great credit he did, and he kept on galloping all the way to the line, finishing a really brave and game 7th, beaten about 12 lengths. This was a good run given the conditions, and in such a tight handicap, well done to all. In avoiding the traffic on the way out, we did manage to have one or wo more drinks and even had a look at the Brightwells sale in The Centaur, where a few of the 'Stars Of The Future' were going under the hammer. Trade was brisk for those offered, with Howard Johnson topping the evenings business when paying £200,000 for an Irish Point to Pointer, no sign of the credit crunch here!! A good trip back, stopping off in The Masons Arms just outside Chipping Norton for a very enjoyable meal - home late -bloody tired, but a really good day! Thats what its all about!! Uttoxeter tomorrow!!