Countdown to Cheltenham…32 days to go.
My wife answers her phone early this morning, she’s talking about Cheltenham plans before she’s poured her coffee. “Well, he runs on Tuesday, Sean’s going to go early, he likes to get a good run at it. I think I’ll come over Sunday, stay for a few days…” I remind her Cheltenham has expanded to four days these days. “Maybe I’ll skip a day or two of racing…” Do they serve Sancerre in the Guinness Village?
A few phone calls asking about selling all or part of Valdez. Fielding those – dreams dancing on the right shoulder, reality screaming on the left. You can only sell the good ones, can’t move the slow ones – I try not to call them bad. What a game.
It’s simply that time of year, gearing up for the best four days of racing in the world. Signed up for a Racing UK International account, hoping to hear what Ruby Walsh had to say about Valdez on the mid-term report. So far, the only thing I’ve been able to watch is the error message popping up on my screen – INCORRECT PASSWORD. Will keep trying.
Watched Rock On Ruby saunter through his Arkle prep yesterday. The Champion Hurdle winner jumped accurately, professionally in a two-horse affair. The Arkle will be run in a different cauldron. Of course, he’s proven he can handle the cauldron, at least over hurdles. Willie Mullins failed to declare Champagne Fever for the Dr. PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown Sunday, will be interesting to see where the two-time Festival winner finds his prep, which should determine if he goes short or long at the Festival. I really need to call Willie and tell him he looks better going longer.
Great stuff. 32 days to go.
– Check out photos of Valdez from Newbury.
