What A Birthday!

Barrier Peaks Wins Market Rasen

It was lovely to have a birthday winner for the boss yesterday thanks to Barrier Peaks winning at Market Rasen, we nearly made it a double with Neon Moon at Taunton but he was just collared on the run in.  Barrier Peaks brought up a hat-trick of wins after wins at Exeter and Uttoxeter it was great he followed up yesterday with Fergus Gillard on board.  The ground was probably lively enough for him but he travelled and jumped well in midfield and took things up at the second last.  He and the runner up pulled nicely clear and it was another good performance in the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club.  He does have an entry at Uttoxeter on Saturday and he will escape a penalty for yesterday’s success because it was a conditional jockeys race.  Providing he seems okay at home in the coming days I am sure we will seriously consider running him again at the weekend.

It was a case of what might have been with at Taunton with Neon Moon looking the certain winner before being caught on the run in.  Philip Armson gave him a lovely ride after a few sticky jumps early on he got into a nice rhythm and took up the lead at the end of the back straight.  He went nicely clear but he appeared to steady approaching the last and lost momentum from which he could not really recover or respond when the challengers came to him.  While frustrating to finish second, it was a pleasing performance from our gelding and I am sure he will be winning over fences soon.  Gwencilly Berbas ran okay at Market Rasen to be fifth but he was literally only a stride out of third while Tango Arumba was a little disappointing in her race at Taunton.  She is definitely better than she has shown so far over hurdles but we haven’t quite found the key to her yet.

I enjoyed a birthday drink with David and a few from the yard after he returned from racing and we all had a slice of the most delicious carrot cake made by Sophie for her dad’s birthday.  Sophie is only 10 but loves cooking and does everything by herself.  She seriously would love to have a go on Junior bake off and so I know mum is looking into how to apply – watch this space, we may have the next Mary Berry at Pond House!

Today there are two jumps meetings at Ludlow and Southwell but the stable does not have any runners.  They race on the all-weather at Kempton and in Ireland they are jumping at Fairyhouse.  There looks competitive cards at all the meetings and Philip Armson is our only jockey in action as he heads to Southwell for one ride.

My football team, Manchester United are in action this evening at home to Leeds at 8.00pm.  They need a win to keep any chance in the Premiership title race behind pace setters Arsenal.

I was abducted by aliens.  They made me wash my hands, clean my room and eat my vegetables.  Turns out I was on the mothership!  Have a good day!