Since my last update I’ve been pointing twice (which included my first lead up), had a run in with the electric shocker on the horse walker, ended up on my arse in the yard thanks to the ice (cue the second temper tantrum of the week), upset Robert (Roberto Pegasus), made a tit of myself on Christmas Day (alcohol related) and finally grown a pair and turned the radio off! Yes, I braved the rickety step ladder and hit the off switch – although normal service was resumed the following morning!

Mucking out was the perfect way to work up an appetite for Christmas lunch, which was mint (thanks Mr & Mrs Ellis), but the alcohol intake was a little high and I provided some good material for the children to put on Snapchat! Moving swiftly on… Chaddesley Corbett was next on the agenda with five runners to look forward to and a lovely early (5.30am) start! There are plenty of pics from Chaddesley on the Facebook page so I’ll keep it brief on here.

Kate Gowing and Roysta’s Spirit got the ball rolling with a good 3rd in Div 1 of the Club Members Restricted, the champ then took over in the saddle and steered Bilzic to 3rd in Div 2 of the Club Members Maiden. Total Compliance was 5th in Div 1 of the Club Members Conditions, Vedettariat won the Ladies Open and De Pilgram broke a blood vessel and was pulled up in Div 1 of the Club Members Maiden.

Back to work on Wednesday and Celtic Silver and Roberto Pegasus completed their preparations for Cottenham – they were almost joined by King’s Walden (Blackjack) but the trainer decided to save him for another day – and the Chaddesley runners had a well earned rest.

On the Thursday before Cottenham we took a couple of lorry loads to Lodge Hill (Dan Skelton Racing) for a good workout and a change of scenery. There was no vehicle available so we had to walk to the top of Dan’s gallops, well, I say ‘we’, the trainer was knackered so he had to stop halfway!

I chose a spot under the rails for some of the jumping shots, a brave choice according to the champ!

Bilbrook Blaze (Percy) fluffed his first attempt but he soon got the hang of it and jumped really well. I’ve got a soft spot for Percy and can’t wait to see him on the racecourse.

A New Years Eve trip to Cottenham was next on the agenda and I was designated driver for the day so Big T could enjoy a birthday gin or six! I’ll be brief with this as well because like Chaddesley, there’s a fair few pics on the Facebook page.

Celtic Silver was first up and he was a very creditable 5th in a hot Club Members race which was won by Porlock Bay (Luke Harvey/Darren Edwards).

Next up was the second runner of the week for our ‘Ice and a Slice Racing Club’ – Roberto Pegasus, with Kate Gowing taking the ride.

Robert was second to Sharp Suit in the Ladies Open and it looks like the Racing Club will have some fun with him this season. Kate was buzzing after the race and she’ll hopefully be taking him out with the hounds again next week.

And that was it, we’d enjoyed two very good point-to-point meetings in the space of four days with some great, competitive racing – well done to all at Chaddesley and Cottenham. There’s lots to look forward to and the trainer and the champ are more than happy with a 25% strike rate from the 8 runners that we have sent out so far!