Saturday 10th August, 2024

Delighted to work the flat string this morning and all went well.  The jump horses who have returned from their holidays are beginning to get going and it’s great to see that so many of them have matured over the summer.

Bluenose Belle (pictured) has been declared for the 3.30pm at Leicester tomorrow – a mile and a half handicap.  She won for us on the all-weather in the past and appears to be returning to form at home.  It will be interesting to see how she gets on back on the turf on some better ground and David Probert who has won on her previously takes the ride.  Belle’s owner Geoff Lansbury has been very patient with her and we look forward to her getting back to form on the flat before going hurdling in the autumn.

Like all that knew him, I was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Paul Darling recently.  As Chairman of the Levy Board – he used his literally larger than life character to direct the sport through covid and beyond.  I knew him for many years from various charity events and he was always very generous and enormous fun with great enthusiasm and intellect.  He will be missed by all that knew him and the sport he loved most, that of horseracing.