Back from my hols and raring to go. It was a nice relaxing break – the farm is a building site at the moment and the weather is a long way below Portuguese standards but it’s nice to be back all the same.
It’s a big and important week for the horses. Winker and Maxwell Hawke go today at Warwick. Marine Boy goes on Wednesday in the Free Handicap. Max may go at Newbury on Friday and Theophrastus may run at Chepstow on the same day. Cheddar George is provisionally down to run at Newbury on Saturday. Basically most of my serious 3yo and up ammo runs over the next six days, and I’ll find out a lot about what is in store for the year.
Winker is a very short price now despite the presence of Dream Eater in the race. I think he’ll win easily enough – I got the feeling that Dream Eater needed a stiff test of stamina over a mile, and he may not be suited by a small field over 7f. Winker is extremely well – Pete has done a massive amount of work with him. I don’t think he was ever right last year – a long spell of box rest may have left him stuffy for the whole year. This year may be different.
Maxwell Hawke is a horse we have always liked. He ran once last year – we backed him heavily but he came last. In the days after that race he was very sick – from the sound of it it was so bad that they thought he might not make it. He had the rest of the year off. He’s a real nice looking horse – he still has to prove himself but I’m hoping for a big run today. Pete’s horses seem to be in good form.
Swindon have an important game against Orient today – if we win we should be safe from relegation. It’s been a funny season – I think the team are a lot better than their results suggest but I guess a lot of people believe that about their club. Next year should be a lot better.
Not much time as I have to rush off – Jeremy (co-owner of Winker and Maxwell and director of Swindon) goes to the football today and I am going to the races. Happy Easter everyone.