Welcome to England.
Smooth flight Thursday night, easy day Friday (pub lunch at the Horse Guards Inn) and now ready to roll Saturday morning. Epsom this morning (just passed Eclipse’s old stall), Sandown this afternoon (Gowran Park on the tellie), Twickenham Sunday (I’ll learn the rules this afternoon), Taunton Monday (come on Sherminator) and Cheltenham (come on everyone) the rest of the week. That’ll do.
Imarajan makes his second start over hurdles today. First race at Gowran Park. Post time is 9:10 a.m. (your time).
Racing Post: Imarajan Ex-Aga Khan; ended six-race Flat campaign with second in 1m6f handicap at the Curragh (yielding); creditable fourth of 13 at Fairyhouse (2m, heavy) on hurdles bow; will get further in time but each-way possibilities.
A 20-strong field. Third choice at 9-1. Switching from heavy ground to soft should help. Win and it’s a free week. We’ll see.
George Baker, my Cheltenham running mate, has already had his free week, winning the Chairman’s Cup by Binaa (local Grade 1) last night in Bahrain. Desert Cop, off one day’s rest, stalked and pounced to run down Swift Asset and secure a £19,200 sendoff. We watched a world away and oh so close. Nothing like a winner.
George is hammering about it at his keyboard next to me as a greyhound sleeps at my feet in an office that overlooks George Baker Racing’s latest (final) yard. And I do mean hammering. His right index finger, a woodpecker on a dead tree. I know the rhythm, the tempo, the force. Louder and quicker and definitive after a winner. A beautiful sound in a racing yard, a racing life. Read his blog.
