Monday 7 December

There is no other word for the events that unfolded for us at Warwick yesterday. All started well, Jardin De Vienne and Rousing Rob both travelled to the races well and settled into their stables. 10 mm of rain early doors had made the going soft all round which suited both, and we were hopeful of 2 nice runs. JDV first up, ran well, (if a little lazily) to finish fifth. A good ride by Andrew Glassonbury who we had never used before, and a satisfactory conclusion given that the jockey probably worked considerably harder than the horse!! Blinkers next time I think! We then settled back to look forward to RRs' debut. Rob has had a series of niggling little problems, which have held up progress, and was having his first run having been in the yard for 2 years. Then it all went wrong,Stuart phoned from the racecourse stables to say that he was not happy with Rob and that he needed the vet to see him. RR has had a recent history of swelling in a leg that has transpired to be only fluid that is readily dispersed in a day or two, but there was no way that we could let the horse run as the problem may have beeen something far more serious, which would have resulted in a very serious injury when put under pressure in the race. To have waited two years to get RR to the pre parade ring and have him withdrawn was just unbelievable, and I have to say what a great bunch of people own him, as they were all understanding despite being oh so disappointed.It was one of the toughest times I have had in racing, and one that I hope does not happen again in a hurry. My heart was in my boots, so I can appreciate how the members of The Chicheley Partnership, that had made their way to Warwick, felt when I had to tell them that after all this time RR was to be a non runner. RR will be checked over by the vets at home today, and we hope that it is nothing too serious.