Early January Bulletin

This is really the “After Plumpton Update”, where we had a good day, but it so nearly achieved epic status. The difference between good and great came in Zoe’s memorial race, where BIRDMAN BOB finished second. He got outpaced at halfway and stuck at the back as a consequence, where he narrowly avoided being tripped up by a faller. However, over the last half of a circuit he weaved his way through the field and got to second, only to find that the winner was travelling just as well, and the last couple of lengths could not be reeled back. A great effort, and with that little bit more luck it would have been a double as GODOT had won the handicap chase half an hour earlier. That gave us a proper scare too, as he pecked at the fourth and got shuffled towards the rear in similar style. He too made good use of the last three-quarters of a mile, led on the run-in, got home by a short-head and then had to survive a stewards’ enquiry – although it always seemed as if he ought to keep the race. Funnily enough, we were involved in another post-race enquiry when up against a Seamus Mullins horse at Plumpton last March, and the placings were also unaltered then. That puts it at 1-1 between the yards, so we will have to hype up the decider (and choose our contender wisely). SHAW’S CROSS finished fifth in this race, just losing a place on the run-in, but BROWN BULLET was again a bit frustrating in trying to hang left throughout. The other runner on the day was GOLD CLAREMONT in the Sussex National. With the rain during the week, we were fairly hopeful of a very competitive run, but the course had dried out amazingly and it was not really soft enough for her. Philip did a great job of quietly sneaking her into the race, just the way she likes it, but when push came to shove, the ground – more good to soft than soft – limited her contribution.

Here is a snap of Godot and happy trainer after the race. The ones of Birdman Bob were a bit afflicted by the gathering gloom and beyond repair.