Saturday 9 May

An early start this morning, but a good run up the M6 to Haydock Park. A little different to the journey had by many owners, trainers, jockeys and horses to Aintree last night, when the M6 was at its worst - leading to a few late arrivals and missed rides. Haydock really is one of the best courses in the country, with great facilites, and a good galloping track. A lot has been written and said about the new course, with portable fences and a new hurdles track around the inner, but you can only speak as you find - and the conditions today were simply perfect, good ground, just a shade juicy in the straight and a bit quicker on the bends, but good safe ground. The enclosures were in A1 condition - trees in the paddock, all in leaf and everything looking at its best. All this, and definitely the best of care taken of owners - many racecourses could learn lots of lessons from the way that haydock Park looks after the people who pay the bills to provide the sport! For Ogee, carrying top weight in a very competitive handicap was certainly not ideal, but opportunities are few and far between, so it was a case of biting the bullet. Travelling well down the paint he did not have the easiest of passages, but came there between the last two flights to mount his challenge, but the steadier if 11 stone 10 did for him in the end, and he could not give about a stone and a half to a couple of rivals at the foot of the weights and he finished a very brave and gallant third. This was a top performance and just proves he can mix it at that level, he will now enjoy a few weeks off, and a bit of sun on his back. A decision will be made over the summer as to his future - graded hurdles or novice chases - not an easy choice!!