Magnifico

Kauto Star

Racing on the front pages for the right reasons today, the simply magnificent Kauto Star wins his fifth King George VI Chase as an 11yo with an awesome display of galloping and jumping, in doing so he warmed the heart of racing fans and the wider public that looks in on our sport every Boxing Day.  Not since Desert Orchid has the national psyche been so gripped by such an outstanding steeplechaser.  I think what endears these horses to such a wide public is that they are animals, they therefore transcend human frailties and jealousies, Kauto's brilliance is pure, a beautiful animal with exceptional athletic ability and, above all, heart and courage that has been given generously year after year in return for nothing more than care, I salute him.

Lucy unsaddles Charingworth after winning the Castleford Chase at Wetherby

Meanwhile, a fine day here and schooling over fences first lot and working on the grass second lot led to a productive morning, looks like Isla Pearl Fisher will be heading to Kelso on Thursday, Papamoa badly needs to run somewhere and the forecast for Ayr next week continues to concern me, decsion time is nigh...
 Lucy had a fine winner on Turbolinas yesterday at Wetherby but topped it all with the biggest win of her career to date today on Charingworth in the Castleford Chase at the same track, she has four rides at Catterick tomorrow - Dynamic Drive in the 12.20, Jupiter Fidius in the 1.50, Emotive in the 2.50 and Danny John Boy in the 3.25, none of them look to have much of a chance so home safely will be the main target.