Well..

The excessive demand for racing opportunities in the North at present meant that our two intended runners on Sunday were both ballotted out, not a disaster but frustrating for connections, particularly for those involved with Northern Flame who was due to have one more run to help us evaluate whether to continue to run him under rules or try a point-point.  We will now have to take that decision before Monday without the help of another run, he missed the "cut" by one and I am confident there will be non-runners by the time Sunday comes round, I fail to understand why the BHA can't run a reserve system like they do in Ireland as it doesn't help trainers to sell the sport when horses are ballotted out of races that end up undersubscribed...Lucy rides Phoenix Returns in the 4.20 at Carlisle on Sunday for Alan Swinbank, the entire field are making their racecourse debut, Alan always has his horses well prepared.. 

So, that minor grumble is off my chest,  a fine morning here; Isla Pearl Fisher, Amulree and Buffalo Ballet went to work on Lucinda's woodchip, the others did steady canters for a couple of miles on the stubble.  Frank Cornfield was in to take some photographs and put the finishing touches to two new ownership opportunities that we are putting together, both intended to enable people to become involved with the excitement of racehorse ownership here at a very affordable level - watch this space!

Big excitement though was the arrival at lunchtime of three horses from Newmarket Sales, I have hardly been able to sleep all week in anticipation of their arrival and I wasn't disappointed when they came off the lorry, over the moon! 

Someone wondered why nobody leaves comments on this blog, probably because they've fallen asleep reading it, do comment if you feel like it, at least then I know somebody's read it........ should have some runners next week - Musselburgh Thursday, Hexham Friday and Kelso Saturday are all on the radar screen