That's nearly it...

[lovedeanblue]

Summer racing is near the end for me with just one more race to be run at Windsor this year at 4.30 p.m. As for next year The Andrew Balding yard have a great chance in the Derby with Elm Park who romped in at Donny on Saturday in the £122k to winning connections in the Racing Post Trophy. Lot of water will pass under the bridge before that day though, Any thoughts Chis although as I said it is a long long way off

[chiswickmart]

Been away for a little half term break to the Peak District so missed some of this. We took one of our daughter's best buddies with us whose mother is very good friends of the Baldings (worked there years ago and now does all their saddlery). She said that Sat night when Ian returned from Donny (by helicopter) he went down the local and put a large wodge behind the bar. I was surprised it was their first Group 1 win since 2003. They celebrated accordingly.

I know their farrier quite well and he was telling me 3 weeks ago how good this colt was. Completely different horse to Bonfire (remember him who was an utter nightmare to control). He'll be trained for the Derby and there's no doubt he ticks all the right boxes. But as you say, a long way off and anything can happen. But he's a lovely horse to go to war with.

[lovedeanblue]

I am pleased to hear that. I watched the race (before heading off to Guildford) and was very impressed. With the big owners now, Coolmore, Kaled Abdullah and Godolphin to just 3, it is a lot harder to win Group 1s than say it was in Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerards day. Coolmore target the Derby big time and I'd love to see an English yard, Kingsclere in particular, win it in 2015.