phew...

isn't life tough... well it was when this son of Midnight Legend was born a mere seven weeks ago in the worst April blizzard in living memory, he will be named Easter Tempest. It's hard to believe we are living on the same planet as I sit here in my office gently perspiring and most of the horses laze in the fields.
Almost Blue wasn't competitive at Kelso on Wednesday, he will now have a full MOT before going to grass and hopefully we will be able to pinpoint exactly what has ailed him this season. Our next runners are likely to be at Hexham on Sunday 30th and that will be just about it apart from a possible trip to Cartmel if the weather breaks.
Fortunately Lucy is doing rather better than her Father, finishing a close 3rd on Floreanna at Kelso on Wednesday (at 40-1!) prior to a good 4th at Wetherby yesterday. It's non-stop though and today she has flown to Paris where she will be representing GB in an 18 runner "Nations Cup" 1 mile flat race at Maisons-Laffite tomorrow, it will be her first ride on the flat and promises to be an entertaining experience with jockeys from all over the world taking part. Sadly I wasn't invited as chaperone but will be taking a few days off to face some self-examination on the golf course, initially at Muirfield and thereafter joining Murray Keith's (in)famous Canon tour for more humiliation at Portrush. Need to do my packing - alka seltzer, neurofen, gaviscon, hay fever stuff, blister treatments...etc etc.. a portable chemists shop by the time I've finished, not to forget golf clubs and of course, lots & lots of balls........