Unlucky Roberto Goldback may wait for Aintree
From what I have been told, it was unfortunate that the last fence wouldn’t be jumped because of the injury to Davy Russell when Mossbank fell on the first circuit. That meant Roberto was in front a long time on the flat and he might have stumbled a bit too, allowing Follow The Plan to get up by a neck.
I will watch a tape of the race when I return to Ireland next week but he obviously ran very well and you’d have to be happy with that. He’s been second to The Nightingale, third in the Durkan and second again now in another Grade 2 so you’d just have to think that he’ll win a good one at some stage.
He’s entered for the Ryanair at Cheltenham but there are no hard and fast plans yet. I will talk to the owners and we might wait for Aintree. It’s certainly an option.
Some people might find it strange that I have headed off while there’s racing, but for me, there’s always racing and have you to take some time off. I always take this week off at the end of January every year and I’m really enjoying the girls-only holiday in the French resort of Magève.
It’s lovely here and though the après ski is fairly quiet, we’re having a few beers and glasses of wine to relax. It’s actually fairly green around here but there’s plenty of snow on the top and we’ve done a lot of skiing. It’s generally 10 until 1, then lunch before we go out again from about two until four. I’m actually finding it easier this year than last year so my fitness levels aren’t too bad at all. I only started skiing when I was 39 but I love it.
I find it easy enough to switch off. I’m on the phone to the yard every morning and evening but you have to get away some time I think or you’d go mad. And I’ve a very good team at home to look after things. So right now, I’m completely switched off.
Saludos ran no sort of race in the Arkle last Sunday but there was a reason for that as he burst a blood vessel and had a dirty nose afterwards. You don’t like to see them hurt or sick but when they perform poorly like that, it’s good to have a reason and so you can draw a line through it. He’ll have another day.
Somethingdifferent pulled up lame in the maiden hurdle which was annoying as he had never had a lame step in all his life. And Falcon Island is going to the sales in Cheltenham this weekend after another disappointing run. There’s no point in sugar-coating it. He hasn’t done what we thought he might and is on the transfer list. There’s no benefit to the owner to keep him so we’ll sell him on and go again.
There were positives though. I was very happy with Serein who finished fourth in Somethingdifferent’s race, while Burn and Turn gave Kate a great spin to finish second in the bumper. ‘Shark’ Hanlon is planning on sending the winner, Mart Lane, for the Champion Bumper so it was an excellent performance. We might go for the good mares’ bumper race at Aintree with her.
The yard isn’t very busy this weekend. Apparently it’s very frosty at home and I know Richie is a little worried about racing going ahead at Punchestown tomorrow. We just don’t seem to be able to escape it. Of course I’m not trying to at the moment, but then I’m not trying to work, I’m chasing the snow for some R&R.
When I get back though, I hope I won’t be served with reminders of my week away with every turn. I could do without that, with the three Grade 1s coming up at Leopardstown next month. We want no more delays.
