May 10, 2011
The further east we headed along the South Coast yesterday, the brighter and better the day became....
Brighton Racecourse. A strange old place, but with it's own unique charm. A vast, outdated cruiser ship of a stand. Not the type of boat that you would want to spend too much time aboard. Not many frills here....
A different crowd. As ever. But Brighton is like that. One of Barry Cope's last bastions, his dwindling empire whittled away by "in house catering". And the number crunchers who finally worked out that the margins on a bowl of cockles or a salt beef sandwich should be heading into their pockets rather than into Barry's.....
A few fried prawns and chillie sauce. A bowl of cockles. And I was set up for the day. The girl's team of Candida and Valerie with me. Adding glamour and elan to an otherwise sartorially challenged gathering...
Hugo Palmer training his first winner. The first race on the card. Not a great heat, but Hugo will not care a jot. I told him to "bottle the moment". There is no better feeling....
And then Integria storming down (and then up) the undulations of this bizarre track. Another poor heat. But, like Hugo, I do not care a jot. Another winner. Keeping up the momentum. Attheraces viewers undoubtedly sick of my diatribes. "Get On" with Sean Boyce in the morning, Jason Weaver grabbing me post-race in the paddock. Well, you know what they say about publicity.....
And then to Windsor. A long conversation en route with one of the greatest football managers of all time. Who was quite righly celebrating a fabulous result on Sunday. Which had not been a bad day at all on the pitch for another of our owners, Wolves Keeper Wayne Hennessey. A 3-1 win dragging Wolves out of the relegation places....
Windsor on a Monday night. Rather more alluring than Brighton. Although the latter has it's charm...
Glyn Ceiriog not quite letting herself down on the ground. Not disgraced. But clearly in need of some cut. Which will come. One day...
Another sunny morning here at Whitsbury. A work morning. Hopefully, Tony Culhane with us. Not at all well after riding Integria, and not making the trip to Windsor. Which was a shame because I know he likes the filly....
A couple of each way chances today. Iguacu at Warwick. A non-runner yesterday. A bruised foot. Something of nothing, and sound again just now. And Gold Story to Southwell....