Thursday 19 November

A windy trip to Chepstow yesterday. A crash on the M4, in which thankfully AP McCoy was not injured led to a small detour around Swindon, and the trip over the bridge went better than expected - never fun in a high sided lorry, in high winds!! Typically, half way over the bridge it started to rain, and continued to do so for about an hour and a half! The already soft ground went heavy! Not a bother for Smart Exit - he quite enjoys it! He ran a blinder, he really enjoys these big galloping tracks and really does battle. Unfortunately he got left in front at the fourth last, and just couldn't see off the challenge of Big Society after touching down level with him at the last! He really tried his best, and we were all delighted with the run - especially Charlotte Groom, who almost relived the script of Planes, Trains and Automobiles in her efforts to see her boy run. Charlottes trip started off with a lift to Northampton station - her train was late. As a result she missed her connecting train. The next available train was then cancelled, so she was forced to change plan and head as close as she could - she found herself in Cheltenham! Then it was a taxi to Chepstow - and she arrived as we all gathered in the paddock!! A sterling effort - and SE nearly repaid her in spades. Stuart felt sorry for her - so she got a lift home in the lorry, and I dropped her home from Fences Farm! A valiant effort - well done! SE seems fine this morning, and will head to Towcester next month! Cloonacool is declared in Ascot tomorrow - he is in fine form, and the race should be run to suit tomorrow. We are really looking forward to seeing him back there - he should go well. Savingforvagas has an entry in Wetherby next Wednesday. She will be making her debut for the Fences Farm team in a mares bumper. She goes well, but no doubt this talented mare, who won her Irish Point by 20 lengths, will be best suited by a trip and some hurdles! This looks like the right place to start her off!!