Fog

Freezing fog latest hazard here today but a productive morning with all the horses having a good spin on the all-weather which remains in excellent condition, early start tomorrow and an 8am inspection but here's hoping....
Some pics taken in the yard yesterday by Frank Cornfield -

The ladies barn - Little Glenshee, Goldtrek and Issabella Gem relax in the sun

Native Coll (Holly) leads Northern Flame (Kit) over the baby schooling fences

Sydney Cove (Gemma) leads  Flaming Thistle (Kelly), Commercial Express (Emma), Almost Blue (James), Academy (Amy) and Amulree (Kit) up the gallop

Academy (Amy) and Ocarina (Holly) lead the way back down

Isla Patriot and Here's to Harry



Amulree (Kit)

Point-to-Point

Well, a different country today, different planet perhaps, a fine quiet winter's day and a constructive morning schooling and working on the all-weather, very wet everywhere but only minor damage from what I have seen so far.
Our first ever pre Xmas point-to-point runners on Sunday when we send 3 down to Alnwick, Kit due to ride them all and the ground is on the soft side of good.  Native Coll runs in the 12 noon (= 5.30am start for trainer, sunday lie in?), the big question for him regarding point-to-pointing is will he stay as his forte was 2 miles under rules, not sure we will find out on Sunday as it's a hot race and he isn't very fit! Amulree runs in the 1.30, 3 mile maiden, 2nd in her only previous p2p start, she is fit and I am hoping for a big run.  The enigmatic Northern Flame is double entered but probably runs in the winners of one race at 2.30, we are hoping that he will deign to show a glimmer of his talent in a competitive environment..
Lucy in action at Doncaster tomorrow, Fred Bojangles in the 2.15 and Kellystown Lad in the 3.20 (live on Ch 4)

The eye of the storm

Seeking Power (Amy)

Ferocious weather today, storm force winds and two quick lots cantering up the grass this morning, the 8 that worked hard on the all-weather yesterday were confined to the walker...... yesterday, what a day, Seeking Power ran his heart out in the 3m 1f handicap chase in extreme conditions, closing down the leaders all the way to the line to finish 3rd, luckily he doesn't read the Daily Telegraph in which he features in an entertaining article about Lucy, he's such an honest horse, just can't go very fast but I admire his courage.  Lorry was late back last night and away sharp this morning to pick a horse up from West Lothian, Jim managed to nip over the Bridge and back before the wind closed it mid morning, Jim Barclay is one of the many rocks on which this operation is founded, his help in driving the lorry etc when we are busy at this time of year is invaluable.  Conditions yesterday can be ably summed up by this little vignette.... Lucy received her first fine from the Stewards for breaking a rule - an £80 fine for pulling up and then passing a horse that was still in the race, problem was the horse still in the race had slowed to a trot having jumped the last when Lucy wisely pulled up before it and then cantered very slowly home thereby overtaking the horse still in thge race, rules say she should have stopped and waited for it to complete, for how long I wonder, darkness was falling!  hmm, rules are rules... With a meeting in Edinburgh this morning and a drinks party to attend there last night on the way back from Hexham lazy trainer stayed away with Mrs A, Hotel Missoni  was very convenient but by the time we were coming home from the Open Platform offices in the Gyle the weather had caused gridlock in central Scotland and a half hour journey took two and a half..... oh well, Kit trying to get back from Durham to sharpen up the pointers tomorrow over the fences before the scheduled start of the season on Sunday, and Lucy due to be at Doncaster by 10am tomorrow where she rides Red Lite in the 11.50, Tinseltown in the 1.35 and Oniz Tiptoes in the 3.20 - another early start beckons!

Boooooom!

Seeking Power - just denied at Hexham

Hard frost but fantastically beautiful morning here with blue sky and snow-covered hills.  Gallop working well so all horses working on it today.  Superb day at Musselburgh for Lucy yesterday, her first double, combined odds of 100 and something to one, unbelievable.  Sydney ran a solid race, ridden from behind to get the extended trip he appeared to stay on well but couldn't get close enough to land a blow, finished 5th of 12, I think he can win again.  Tomorrow we run Seeking Power in the 3.20 at Hexham, 13 run, ground heavy, Lucy rides, subject to an inspection this afternoon, snow on the track, I always say he needs at lease two inspections from the ground to be wet enough for him to be competitive, so, here's hoping! Today Lucy is at Sedgefield riding King's Chorister in the 2.50, 8 run, an each way chance in a competitive little heat.  She has a couple of other rides at Hexham tomorrow it its on, then she is at Doncaster on Fri & Sat, we will be appearing next at the Alnwick point-to-point on Sunday where we have 3 entries, most odd point-to-pointing before Christmas, good idea.
Changing for the races on Sunday morning at 10.15 I was staring at myself in the mirror whilst shaving, reflecting, literally and metaphorically, a pause in the rush - I try to start an hour later on a Sunday so it should have been an easyish sort of morning but even in that short period there seemed to have been so many ups and downs, my head was spinning, crazy really, it's such a bizarrely intense sport to be involved in, and all about whether my horse can run faster round a  big field than someone elses.... big deal.  I was unable to attend Musselburgh yesterday, I as at a funeral with Rose, my 3 brothers and mother, someone very dear to us all, she always supported Lucy in her races having cared for her a lot as a child (that was 25 years after caring for the four of us!) and she usually phoned in the evening after she had a winner - her partner loved to bet on Lucy, we all watched the 1.20 at Mother's house before going to the church, a winner, bittersweet funeral and burial and back in to watch the 2.50, another winner.....

Musselburgh

Proper winter morning today, bit of snow & frost, out early to sort gallop, came up perfectly, happy trainer!  Cold day at Kelso yesterday but a great atmosphere to warm the soul, huge crowd despite the weather and gritty National Hunt racing, Forcefield ran a solid race to finish 3rd, holding ground and extended trip just finding him out.  Today we run Sydney Cove in the 1.50 at Musselburgh, 12 run, Keith Mercer rides, ground on soft side of good.  Big step up in trip, if he stays he should go close, if he doesn't he won't! Lucy rides Kealigolane in the 1.20 for Hugh McWilliams, Humorous in the 1.50 for Brian Storey and Red Tamber in the 2.50 for Bruce Mactaggart.
Some pictures from a cold Kinneston this morning.....

down the gallop

cooling off

Academy

Heading in

Kelso

A fine winter's morning today but a miserable evening now, gales and sleet.  Plenty going on, mainly on the all-weather here but Flaming Thistle, Amulree and Native Coll ventured over to Lucinda's woodchip. 

Forcefield (Lucy H)

On Sunday we run Forcefield in the 3.30 at Kelso, 10 run, Lucy rides and the ground is soft.  He is in good heart and ready to run, the extended 3m 3f trip shouldn't be a problem but I am wondering whether ground as soft as this will suit.  Lucy also rides Double Default in the Borders National at 2.30 (she is due to get up at 4am tomorrow to go and school this horse in Cumbria on her way to Wetherby where she rides Danny John Boy in the 2.55), she also rides Sported and Played for Lucy Normile in the 3.00.

Crisp

Sharp air here this afternoon, cold and crisp whilst running a grass harrow over the "horseshoe" gallop, wet still but hopefully good to work on by Saturday.  Generally quiet day for the horses, an hour's hack round the farm for most of them, easy canters for Buffalo Ballet, Academy, Tipsy Dara, Alflora 3yo, Amulree and Native Coll.  Plans beginning to fall into place for next batch of runners, looks like Forcefield Kelso Sunday, Buffalo Ballet Musselburgh Monday, Sydney Cove Sedgefield Tuesday, Seeking Power and possibly Papamoa at Hexham on Wednesday.... much easier if they all ran at the same place however we have to give them all their best chance. 

Lucy rather embarrased by my "day in the life of" yesterday but she did point out that I omitted her 5 mile run in the afternoon, she runs at least 5 miles 4 or 5 times each week........

Papamoa (Holly) and Isla Patriot (Kelly)