My usual feeling of dread when we have jumpers running followed me to Folkestone yesterday. I led up Kadouchski while Hugh was at Plumpton with Alcalde and John and Will Kennedy dashed between the two places to saddle and to ride. Neither horse troubled the respective judges but I am glad to say they are both back safe and sound in their boxes. Kadouchski gave his all, as usual, in the very heavy ground and blew very hard after the race.

Returning to yesterday, Alcalde was not quite unscathed after his mistake at the last hurdle on the first circuit at Plumpton and it's safe to say that the Tri-Zone Allsport boots he was wearing saved him from a very serious tendon injury which could have been career-ending, if not life-threatening, had he not been wearing them.

We're winding back up now after a mini-break for those horses not in strong work. Ethics Girl gave us a lovely end to the year with her victory at Wolverhampton on 30 December. The new two-year-olds are having a break after learning the ropes and will be back with us in the spring. The three fillies bought at the sales will be joined by Batgirl's Beat Hollow half-sister, who will be another very welcome addition from Pantycoed Stud.
First Pressing is back in work after an enforced absence for the second half of last season, and soon we'll have her partner in crime, Silken Thoughts, back from the farm to get going on their three-year-old campaigns. Silky has wintered well. She's always been a robust filly but she looks stronger than ever and I'm really looking forward to her return.
Away from horses, the highlight of the year so far has been the BBC's new series Zen, which is taken from the Italian-based crime novels of Michael Dibdin. I've only read one Aurelio Zen book, which was set in Venice, so I was surprised to find the TV version set in Rome. Perhaps I need to read the rest of the collection for clarification, but when Rufus Sewell is in the starring role looking like an extra from La Dolce Vita, who cares about attention to detail?
The only thing that could be better would be the lovely Rufus going on to play the lead in a televised version of Peter Temple's award-winning Jack Irish novels, as long as they don't decide to switch Jack to Sydney.
1 comment:
All the best to everyone at Beverley House Stables for 2011.After the recent major snow event as the met office like to call these things lets hope for an early spring and a fabulous run up to cheltenham and Aintree.
And fingers crossed to all competitors, Joe Lively's loss was a sad reminder of racing's lows.
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