18th April 2016

We found Ayr - it is certainly a long way from home, the drive wasn't pleasant. 

Man O’ Words finished 7^th, the finishing position doesn’t reflect how happy we are with his run, he was only beaten 6 lengths. Richard Johnson said he regretted bringing him wide and wished he had threaded him through the field. Richard was trying to keep it simple but it back fired in that he was isolated wide and ran green out of company on sticky old ground. Mary is one of those lovely owners who always finds the positives and accepts he is learning his trade. If we can find a suitable track, he will hopefully run again in 3–4 weeks’ time before heading for summer pastures.

On the way home I stayed with my old mate Robert Robinson at Distillery Stud and enjoyed a wander around the stud on Sunday morning before embarking on the drive home.  

Singlefarmpayment's mother and her Yeats foal.

Paul Nicholls has made a incredible come back in the quest for the Champion Trainers title, he has certainly added an extra dimension to the weekends meeting at Sandown, as I eluded to previously, I would like to see Willie Mullins win the championship. It would be great for history, if he doesn’t do it this year I’m sure he will do it in the not too distant future.  

This morning all horses had typical Monday morning canters except Very Intense and Chase End Charlie who breezed through on the woodchip. Very Intense heads to Kempton tomorrow. He runs over fences for the first time. He’s schooled beautifully and has as good as chance as any other horse in the race.