Thursday

Stunning weather and a quieter morning for the horses either hacking or jumping for most of them. Earlier in the week Peter Buchanan was in to school the two dual purpose filles we have for the summer, Issabella Gem and Goldtrek, they were led over the hurdles by Native Coll, amazingly 100% and back doing his schoolmaster duties 72 hours after the crash below...

Native Coll becomes the 4th horse in as many fixtures to crash out at this final fence at Friars Haugh

John Grossick has captured all of them on camera and as an experienced rider himself has a good theory as to why it is happening.

This coincides with Kit's intepretation so hopefully suitable adjustments will be made before someone is seriously injured

Kit also came out of it in one piece and is enjoying his week at the racing school, Yogi Breisner coaching him today, what I find very encouraging is that of the 8 amateurs on the course 5 are from the North despite the course being run in Newmarket rather than at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, surely a good omen for the health of the sport up here.  Lucy notched her 30th winner of the season on Kealigolane at Haydock yesterday, heading home now for a couple of expensive days in the "sin-bin."

Lucy with Little Glenshee and Goldtrek (courtesy of Neil Hanna Scotsman Publications)