4th July 2018

Needless to say I spent hours with Vodafone yesterday, it was all too good to be true. Initially, I asked for a new handset and a like for like contract and if possible a better deal. A few pound was knocked off the monthly payment – happy days. That seemed to go well and a phone was reportedly dispatched. I then received multiple text messages saying I had lost my free international calls, roaming in Europe etc etc. I called them back less than an hour later to be told the order was too far gone and nothing could be done. I don’t except nothing can be done too well and told them they needed to do something to resolve the problem and why had the previous advisor down graded me off a business contract without request. I drove from Ledbury to Evesham on hold, Fleetwood Mac were interrupted a couple of times with an apology for having to hold while another department was consulted. Eventually, by the time I arrived at Stratford it was resolved. However, at 18.20 there is still no sign of the phone promised. Thankfully, I am a big fan of Fleetwood Mac and saw them live in Wembley 28 years ago. 

On arrival at Stratford I walked the course to find some proper fast ground, although Sword of Fate didn’t jump with the same accuracy as he did over fences at Southwell but he still won well under a great ride from Nico. A few jockeys could watch a bit more of Nico, he always gets the horses rolling before resorting to the whip, as a result of this style of riding horses seldom get hit unless it is required. Sword of Fate is in at Newton Abbott on Friday and may well take his chance, he he due to go up 6lbs for his win yesterday and won’t get the chance to run in a 0-125 again. Tommie will take off 5lb of the penalty if he is in good spirits tomorrow morning. 

We got all bar two of the 3 years olds trotting around the ménage in figures of 8 this morning, the two sharper ones will stay in the lunge pen for a few days yet. Kateson came back in and his half brother Midnight Henry went home. Lady Cobham sent down two more horses after their summer holidays, a 3-year-old by Makfi and an unraced 5-year-old by Nayef who was deemed to weak to run last year. Sophie may have him for a season point-to-pointing. 

Given the time of year and the hours we are spending with young horses this is something I love, very poignant and true.