Edinburgh Dud

Porthos Du Vallon ran a stinker at Musselburgh last night, starting as rank outsider and fully justifying it. The only thing that pleases me is that I'm no longer the only one saying that the messages coming from the Porthos camp are mixed and often confusing - and, at last, these thoughts were being relayed by others even before the race. In some ways it's funny, because had it not been for these messages, I'd forgotten Porthos was running, and I hadn't marked it up on the calendar I use to track who's running when. Anyway, it now appears he will not jump after all, but he should be running at Ayr. He should also be in the October sale, and, as far as I'm concerned, the sooner that day comes around, the better. I'm not going to bother writing any more, because I will only be accused of sarcasm...

In another few hours, we'll probably have another dud to report with Joyful Step. At least there's something to look forward to later in the week when Pop Label does his race test at Funabashi (even though he's a juvenile champion, his long recovery from injury means it's something that's required) and Pretty Gully takes to the track again in Australia.

PS. As expected, Joyful Step did nothing, coming eighth, quite a long way off the pace; she has officially been given one last chance. Thankfully 'Bugatti' performed magnificently in a training clinic this morning, taking his transition from racehorse to riding horse another step closer. He knew something big was happening, though, and the tension switch kicked in with a vengeance. Had there been a starting gate, he'd have been well away!

Deep Joy?

Joyful Step has been confirmed for Sunday's race (the 3R at Niigata), with Keita Ban trying to get revenge for an awful showing last time out. Joyful Step can do it - the dreadful debut was followed by a very promising fourth, but that last outing was not much better than her first run! Anyway, it's an 1800m dirt race, and the sand should be fairly light I'd have thought...

Single Cask is back at her racing stable, so we can expect her to be back out on the track soon. Nothing else happening, although I did manage to spend a quality afternoon with 'Bugatti' today. He seems to have settled nicely now, confident in his fresh surroundings and new family members. No pictures I'm afraid, as it was very dull and overcast - those photos I did take are poor quality. At least there's some real progress on the new book, so hopefully I can escape the office a bit more, and take some special shots on a day that's brighter.

All Work, No Play

Been working around the clock these last few days, as I'm trying to get a big project out of the way. Not that much to report anyway, as the kids have gone back to school, meaning the daily adventures with 'Bugatti' have stopped, and there's very little happening on the racing front either - with my workload, I haven't even managed to get to Funabashi...

Most of the Japanese racers are on holiday, with only Joyful Step lined up to run at the weekend, in an 1800m dirt race at Niigata. There are thoughts of running True Motion at Niigata in late-September, and Harmony Fair at Fukushima or Tokyo in October. Meanwhile, a decision will be made regarding Belle Plage's next move over the coming few days, but I'm so pleased with the way Ogata-sensei is running this horse, I'm trying to buy another with his stable for next year - progress has been solid, with no silly decisions to try and chase quick money. As for the youngsters, Rush Attack will hopefully make his debut soon, and Perfumer is about to have his body check and challenge the gate test.

Dodgy Leicester

Poor old (young) River Spirit had a bit of an off-day at Leicester yesterday - unusual as she's such a strong little thing, both physically and mentally. There's a theory that she'd been away from the track for too long, and another one stemming from the fact that the ground was actually a lot softer than the officials said it was. But whatever the reason for her disappointing run, she has a great team behind her, and I know she'll be back in top form again soon...

Back Home

The fate of Porthos is about as predictable as the next few days in Gaza - I really have no idea what to expect, or how to react. He's now been withdrawn from the sale on Wednesday, and is supposed to be running in the 6:10 at Musselburgh on Friday; he'll probably run at Ayr after that, in the third week of September, but on the flat in both cases. Sales are predicted again for October, so, with his on-off NH career in the balance, I now have to wait another month before knowing whether I have a jumper or not, while I have someone else in Ireland waiting to sell me one!

Still no sign of All Dolled Up running as yet, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what she can do. Also looking forward to River Spirit having a go later today in Leicester. The going is good, which will suit her, and she has an experienced jockey aboard, so with the odds she's being quoted at at the moment, I'd be tempted to have a flutter. With the time difference, it will be tomorrow now before I'll get the result. Here's wishing all involved the best of luck...