Very knowledgeable crowd you'd have at Wincanton as well; over the last few years Uttoxeter has become a boozefest place, and I very rarely go there now. When Sir Stan ran it it was wonderful; quality of the racing improved; we used to have parades of stallions sometimes; one year John Oaksey was there and they had just about every top jumping stallion of that era..Karinga Bay slobbered all over my wax and I said I'd never clean it again..Terimon was there, pure white with the prettiest head you'd ever see. Then Arena Leisure bought it and it went downhill, although the entrance fee remained the same. Sir Stan used to parade Lord Gyllene before the Midlands National. I've grown to love flat racing over the past few years; fell in love with Sea the Stars before he won the 1000gns, and was a wreck every time he ran. Sean, who wrote the book about him when he retired kindly sent me a copy of it. I spoke to him one night about the horse, and he said 'you really love the horse, don't you, I'll send you a copy of the book' [I was going to buy it anyway!], but I never dreamed that he would..it was inscribed 'as promised'. Again, racing folk and their kindness. We started going to The Ebor at York, and I found that I could follow the flat handicappers the way I follow the jumpers, year after year, and could watch the race without the fear of them not coming back. I won't bet online, I don't like using my card online and, to be honest, I wouldn't trust myself not to get carried away. And I like going into betting shops. There's a lady at William Hills who I've promised a cup of tea to, if and when I get back into winning ways, and I am quite famous for backing a Champion Hurdle winner ante post at 80/1 one year. My ambition is to back a 100/1 winner. I backed Mon Mome at 33/1 the year he won the National at 100/1, so that doesn't count! I love the mares; a good race mare is very special. I saw a programme many years ago about 'The Dove' family, bred by farmers, so I followed Flakey Dove throughout her career. Dubacilla, who died a few months ago,was another favourite. We will have a National Preview evening soon; one year we had every retired surviving winning jockey; some of them hadn't seen each other for years so they said they'd do it every year. Alas, Josh Gifford came last year, to replace Bob Champion who was still not over his heart scare, and Michael Scudamore was a special guest one year; Peter and Lucinda travelled all the way down from Scotland to be there for him. Oh dear, I'm putting off work again. Will shut up! I know racing is full of sadness as well as joy, but I'm so glad that it's such a big part of my life! If Kauto parades next year I think I'll go on Gold Cup day just to see him [have heard that Denman is going to be going team chasing when he's had his 'time out with a leg'. What a sight that would be!]
]. As I watched them go out I saw Richard Johnson beaming, and I thought to myself how lucky he had been with injuries over the years and, as I thought it I wanted to unthink it because I felt that I was tempting fate, so I was worried sick when Wishfull Thinking came down. Thank goodness he's ok. My favourite jockey recently has been Isabel Thompsett, and she will never be the same after her terrible fall last year. The other year we saw Harry Challoner go out to ride at the Festival and his sister was standing by us. She called to him and he turned his head and smiled, a young man on this huge horse going out to jump those fences and I've watched him ever since and thought of that smile. 'Tiny men in silk were brave beyond bearing..etc etc' I've just spent 2 hours studying the Byrne Group Plate and reached the conclusion that I haven't got the faintest idea who's going to win it 
. Still; it keeps me out of mischief. An old dear drinking Horlicks and studying the gee gee's.A drop in the ocean in the great schemes of things....but replicated by how many more
