Ponding Poet, Gold Clermont and Pirate of the Sea all seem fine this morning.
The horses put in some hard yards on the sand this morning, Nocte Volatus and Sinndarella jumped some hurdles, JohnBB and Polydora some fences.
The rain I drove through getting to Ascot was biblical. I knew before I got there that Sebastopol would not be lining up, Le Grand Fromage ran his race, it was great to give Jason a chance and he did little wrong. Dorking Boy was taken off his feet. Both horses are there for other days.
James Given is joining the BHA as director of equine health – this is only a good thing. He knows what is right and wrong, he was an excellent trainer and a qualified vet. I believe, Charlie Parker and Luca Cumani are also joining in some shape or form. We have had these types of people in there before. They seem to loose the will to live and depart as quickly as they arrive. Mark Johnson and Jim McGrath to name but two. Perhaps, James will have something to say about the potential of 0-100 horses carrying 12st 11lbs around Lingfield on heavy ground tomorrow. This 6lb for body protector and closure of sauna is ludicrous. They bleat about welfare and allow this to happen. Jockeys have never been fitter or had the guidance as they do now on nutrition. Whilst on the subject of the BHA, we have now had our second horse balloted on as a result of stabling. I can’t see why stables can’t be vacated by early runners, I get cross contamination etc etc. Take a blood sample off those departing and go from there. The chances of having to run the samples are so small the cost is only the needle and the syringe. No added labour charges as there in any number of BHA vets wandering round looking over everyone shoulders with their hands in their pockets. In these times, we need people to make things happen, not take the easy option every time.
Tomorrow, Nocte Volatus heads to Lingfield. To read my thoughts click here.