Long Weekend

A long weekend but a rewarding one, the highlight being Northern Flame's first win at the Lauderdale point-to-point yesterday, he can look like he is making heavy weather of things but he won with plenty in hand and all being well will now switch back to running under rules.  Next best was Papamoa narrowly failing to give weight all round when 2nd in the 3m novice hurdle at Hexham on Saturday night, another brave effort he may have one more run before his break.  Also at Hexham Academy settled and jumped much better until fitness told in the testing ground, more to come from him I am sure.  Flaming Thistle made a quick reappearance at Lauderdale and probably put up his best effort to date to finish a close third, Almost Blue was a monkey in the preliminaries and had a solo tour of the racecourse prior to reuniting with Jamie and finishing 4th, Amulree jumped and travelled well but her old wind problems cut in and she tired towards the end, Native Coll ran a decent race to be 5th in a competitive Club race.

Northern Flame (Kit) sets sail for home at Mosshouses yesterday

Snow featured at Hexham and Lauderdale and is still cold here this morning, plenty of work for the horses, mostly on the riverbank, next runners will probably be at Kelso on Thursday evening and then Hexham on Saturday.  Sad to hear of the passing of Florida Pearl, one of my favourites and tragedy in the stalls at the Guineas reminding us of how we are always treading such a fine wire between triumph and disaster, wonderful achievements from team Ballydoyle at Newmarket though, I only listened on the radio but 18yo Joseph's ride on Camelot was almost unreal in the talent and confidence it revealed.

Balwyllo (Holly)

Buffalo Ballet (Lucy)

Here's to Harry (Lucy H)