Up for the World Cup

With a yard full of horses on the doorstep and racing throughout the year, it's not always possible to go away on holiday every year but John and I are finally getting the chance to fly away again as we head to Dubai for the World Cup meeting there next Saturday.
The sun will be very much welcome as the UK is set to hit a big freeze again this week and it'll be great to get involved with the action on the other side of the world as we are part of a Racing Breaks holiday which means we go to 'Breakfast with the Stars' on Thursday and have drinks with Frankie Dettori and Jim Crowley on Friday night - I'm sure they'll love to see us!

We are away from Monday to Monday meaning Ross will be in charge of our very capable team so I don't have too much to worry about. 
We will just have the one runner with Limerick Lord entered at Southwell on Sunday. He finally got his head back in front at the track last time but you couldn't rely on him making it two wins in a row. However, he does seem very happy after that win and he will go there with his usual chance, providing things go his way.

Friday evening saw one of the unluckiest losers I have ever trained as Oud Metha Bridge was narrowly denied at Kempton. After settling in midfield, he came with a storming run on the inside rail up the straight only to be hampered by the eventual winner, costing him two lengths. He switched left and rallied inside the last furlong but was still beaten half a length. The whole world could see he should have won and there was a stewards' inquiry called soon afterwards. The sad thing is though that in British racing, you have to be beaten at the most a head to have any chance of getting the result reversed so our hopes were slim and they proved right as the original result stood.
​It was frustrating to not win with the best horse in the race but these things happen in racing and we know we still have a nice horse on our hands so he will be back for vengeance soon.
You can make your own mind up by watching the replay here: 
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video/20180323/2774446/16582083

​Thank you for all your entries into our 'Four to Follow' competition which we launched last week and I'm delighted that you're all keen to try and win the fantastic prize generously sponsored by Great Yarmouth Racecourse. I must emphasize that this competition is open to absolutely anyone and is free to enter so no one has an excuse not to take part!