THE Festival team are getting ready to roll again and there’s been a real buzz in the air at Ditcheat all week.
But the biggest excitement was actually down to the newbie in the yard who isn’t even going to Cheltenham this year.
On Thursday Caldwell Potter – the horse who cost a world-record £633,000 – had his first schooling session under Harry Cobden and certainly lived up to his star billing.
He was bought by an ownership ground including legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson at the sales last month.
Schooling at Ditcheat isn’t easy, it needs balance, and an intelligence to work out your stride, but Potter went round like he’d been doing it all his life.
Everyone was very impressed and there are definitely some exciting times ahead with this chap, I tell you.
Hopefully there will be a few with the ones who are heading to this year’s Festival too, because the whole team looks in great shape rolling into the big week of the season.
Bravemansgame is really fresh, really well and he jumped spot on, just like plenty of others.
I was on a few of the horses who’ll be at Cheltenham, and Liari – who has a couple of entries – is in fantastic order. He jumped phenomenally well and is looking good.
So is Welcome To Cartries, who is much better than his form would suggest.
He’s been a bit late coming to the party, but was schooling like a nice horse as well.
Talking of nice horses, I rode a lovely one for Jane Chapple-Hyam on Sunday, when Stavvy was her first National Hunt winner.
I know it might only have been a bumper at Southwell, but he was impressive.
It is a brilliant team to ride for and the way Stavvy has progressed, there is nothing not to like about him.
On Saturday I’m on Quel Distin, who had the option of two miles at Chepstow in the mud, or four furlongs further at Kempton.
Chepstow is his first preference and he’ll love the testing ground.
He’s been brilliant over the years, and has won on the Flat, over hurdles and fences.
I’m really looking forward to him and think he’s got a great chance.
Distin is only a little chap, but always turns up in his races.
He’s very intelligent over his jumps and powers through the soft ground. I’m very confident.
All the rain we’ve had down here means that any time not working has been spent digging ditches again to stop the flooding.
And I can tell you that although they might call these coats waterproofs, they’re definitely not.
At this rate I’ll need flippers and a snorkel rather than a whip and goggles!
But there’s a silver lining to every cloud, however much rain pours from them, and if that does mean racing is off, I’ll take the chance to nip home to see Frodon and Black Corton.
It’s always great to check how the boys are going on and I can’t wait to get back on the pair of them.
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