Rockery being inspected by her owners last week.
Overcast but not too cold.
I didn’t see that one coming! Arabian Queen caused one of the biggest upsets in recent times when landing the International yesterday, and while it is always disappointing to see a Derby winner lose his unbeaten record, hats off to David Elsworth, Jeff Smith, Silvestre de Sousa (who gave her a peach) and Shelley Dwyer, Silvestre’s agent, who has done a fantastic job with him this year.
Our York runners performed creditably. Frankie suggested Oasis Fantasy did not stay – he was a little keen early but came there quite ominously in the straight before petering out in the closing stages. A strongly run mile and six is probably his trip.
Qeyaadah travelled nicely in the nursery but nothing could lay a glove on the very well handicapped winner. We might return to the novice ranks now.
No runners this afternoon but three declarations for Saturday. Global Avenger (Ted Durcan) and Mustatrif (Oisin Murphy) will head to Chelmsford for the mile maiden, while Richard Kingscote gets back aboard Island Remede in the Listed handicap at Chester. A few of the forecast showers on Saturday afternoon would be ideal for her.
Five entries for Wednesday including Scrutinise in another middle-distance qualifier at Kempton.
Mrs D and I are leaving shortly for the north once again as Sir Robert Ogden has kindly invited us to his Sickling Hall Stud for dinner. The food and company will be excellent I’m sure, and the evening should provide a fantastic pre-cursor to another big day for us tomorrow!
Back then.
Ed.