Newcastle

Forcefield & Isla Pearl Fisher take each other on in the surf at St Andrews late last year

So, quiet week weather-wise, fair and mild, and tomorrow its off to Newcastle for their inaugural jumps fixture of the winter.  We run Forcefield in the 1.35, 17 run, and then Isla Pearl Fisher faces 8 others in the 3.20, Lucy rides both and the ground should be generally good.  Forcefield was 3rd off a 13lb higher mark at the track in March, that was 4f shorter on much softer ground and he appears to have lost his way since but he seems well at home and could put up a decent effort in this sort of race.  Isla Pearl Fisher has been off since injuring himself at the end of January, prior to that he was progressive and his form stacks up well;  he seems fit and ready so let's hope he can continue from where he left off.....
Meanwhile Mr & Mrs A are practising being "empty-nesters" and earlier this week we had our 2nd night alone at home in the last 21 years, time to revert to type and head off to the local curry house to fill up, tremendous, and Mrs A has lost none of her ability to down pints of Cobra just as quickly as me, 25st here I (we?)  come....... and then last night (Lucy back so lettuce back on the menu)  the wonderful Frozen Planet, perhaps the best wildlife doc ever? I think so, and David A's narration is made perfect by his silences letting the animals take over - did you see those terns attacking the polar bear? wow........