Baileys Blog

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

The big Scottish Grand National meeting starts today.. Two days of fun and Willie Mullins is over!

Talking fun.. Peter Kerr, my ever-dependable syndicate manager, is heading to London on Sunday to join a cast of thousands to run in this years TCS London Marathon.. Yes, all for charity and he like many would love your help..

Please click here to sponsor Peter.. You might have already done so, but you can always donate again..

Peter is raising money for WellChild.. But...Please do not scroll down his Just giving page as you might have a shock!

Did you watch this? I highly recommend..It is all about Showtime Mahomes

We have one runner tonight at Exeter. Grand Escaparde heads there and my thoughts please click here.

You know when you're getting older when entering your birth year online and you have to spin that thing like you're on the wheel of fortune!

Minus 1 and dry when driving in. Frost last night.. Hardly spring weather..

Racing headlines. Paddy Brennan retired after riding a winner at Cheltenham yesterday.. He has cetainly had a long and illustrious career..

I take my hat off to Charlie and Francessca Poste. They have been producing point to pointers for some years now and have done well with their sales and progeny, but yesterday they ventured into the 2 year breeze up sales in Newmarket and their first 2 year old filly (Lot 132) made £100k and then an hour later their 2 year old colt (lot 147) made £800k.. A huge return from the £78K they paid for the colt last September

I wandered around the fields down at Owdeswell Manor last night. We turn our horses out there during the summer. Still too cold to turn horses out and the grass is not quite there yet. It is coming but it will be another week.. we need some warmer weather.

Plus 3 and dry when driving in.

David Bass was in this morning to ride out.. we jumped a few..

Two-day Cheltenham meeting starts today, and they are watering to maintain good ground. My word how at this time of year conditions change.

Ed Hawkings called in on his way to the races..

Ian Reid’s turn to amuse us…

In a French hospital, a clerical gentleman had made several attempts to get into the men's restroom, but it had always been occupied. A nurse noticed his predicament.

Sir, she said "You may use the ladies room if you promise not to touch any of the buttons on the wall."

He did what he needed to, and as he sat there he noticed the buttons he had promised not to touch.

Each button was identified by letters: WW, WA, PP, and a red one labeled ATR.

Who would know if he touched them?

He couldn't resist.. He pushed WW. warm water was sprayed gently upon his bottom.

What a nice feeling, he thought. Men restrooms don't have nice things like this.

Anticipating greater pleasure, he pushed the WA button. Warm air replaced the warm water, gently drying his underside.

When this stopped, he pushed the PP button. A large powder puff caressed his bottom adding a fragile scent

of spring flower to this unbelievable pleasure.. The ladies restroom was more than a restroom, it is tender loving pleasure.

When the powder puff completed its pleasure, he couldn't wait to push the ATR button which he knew would be supreme ecstasy.

Next thing he knew he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital bed, and a nurse was staring down at him.

"What happened?" he exclaimed. The last thing I remember was pushing the ATR button.

"The button ATR is an Automatic Tampon Remover. Your penis is under your pillow."

"MEN NEVER LISTEN"

Plus 7 and drizzling when driving in. Heavy April showers yesterday. 7mm..

After such a wet winter some racecourses have started watering, while others are being abandonned!

Ciaran Gethings and David Bass were in to ride out this morning.

We have our usual Tuesday vet visit and this week’s movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Chianti Classico down 2 to 152 and The Edgar Wallace went down 1 to 135

Derek Underwood, England’s leading Test wicket-taking spinner of all time, has died at the age of 78.

Underwood made 86 Test appearances for England and is sixth in the country’s all-time list of leading wicket-takers. He was a one club man, playing all of his career at Kent and taking 2,523 wickets across three decades with his unique style of bowling — although classified as a slow-left armer, he bowled at more medium-pace, coming around the wicket, and was particularly noted for his ability to trap batsmen leg-before.

Affectionately known as “Deadly”, Underwood claimed 297 wickets in Test cricket and another 32 in one-day internationals and was appointed an MBE in 1981.

Derek was sixth in the overall leading English wicket taking list headed by Jimmy Anderson 700, Stuart Broad 604, Ian Botham 383, Bob Willis 325, Fred Trueman 307 and then Derek Underwood on 297....Watch him bowl

Christopher Marriot again..

There is a pileup on the M25, three very wealthy men driving their Rolls-Royces are killed, each with his daughter.

On arrival at the pearly gates, St. Peter talks to them all in turn:

To the first man: Hmmm. I see you were somewhat over fond of money in life - you even christened your daughter Penny. I’m afraid you’re going to have to spend a couple of years in purgatory before you can enter heaven.

To the second man: And you were too keen on alcohol - you named your daughter Sherry. 18 months in purgatory for you.

The third man turns to his daughter and says: OK, that’s it. We’re not hanging around to be insulted. Come on Fanny, we’re out of here.

Plus 8 windy and damp when driving in.

The highs and lows of racing were very evident here at Thorndale on Saturday..

Moonlighter took a fall at Chepstow and sadly another horse was brought down by him and the combination was tragic as Moonlighter suffered a life threatening injury which meant that he had to be euthanised.

I cannot tell you how shocked we all were. Poor Huw and Richard Davies was distraught as they bred 'Mooney' and just adored him..Saturday was probably going to be his last race before retirement..

Huw and Richard plus all their friends (Caroline Davies and Susie Davies, Mary Davies, Mike and Sue Dukin, Michael Sweeney, James Morton and Paul Johnson and Pamela Steveson) had a wonderful journey with 'Mooney' and it was just so sad that it all ended on such a tragic note.

It is never easy and however long I have been training it is the hardest moment you can have on any racecourse, or even at home when these things happen.

Poor young Tesni who looked after 'Mooney' adored him, but as always in these situations it is those who walk past the empty stable that it really hits home to.

'Mooney' was a much loved character in the yard. He was always smiling and made life fun.. he would have been a good human being ..Ciaran Gethings who had won the big race the day before at Aintree also enjoyed riding him. Ciaran enjoyed the challenge that Moonlighter set him..

I must add that the vets and Lindsay Knox the General Manager at Chepstow racecourse were excellent, as was Leigh my travelling head girl. Louise Daly took Huw and his family off for a quiet moment and looked after them. Yes, it is all very sad but there are some great memories.

Saturdays Grand National was one of the most exciting Grand National’s I have ever watched.

I know many will decry the change of the course and the different conditions of the race, but the end product was so good to watch. It is now a really top-class handicap with Gold Cup type horses competing in a handicap and that on Saturday produced a spectacular race to watch..

Could you guess who was going to win at the second last or even the last for that matter?

It was frantic and fun to watch, all of what last years race was not. The drama was still there when last years winner Corach Rambler unseated at the first, but away from that the camera angles made for a wonderfully exciting race to watch.

Welcome to the modern Grand National and for all its tinkering at last they seem to have got it right.

What a different meeting Aintree is to Cheltenham.. They are poles apart when it comes to enjoyment and racing. There is not the hype and pressure around Aintree like there is for Cheltenham.

Cheltenham is a beast, and it kicks you, while Aintree is just sheer fun, and the quality of the racing is just as good, if not better..

Don’t get me wrong but it still more important as a trainer and owner to have a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, but those attending both meetings will probably prefer Aintree as it is just so much fun.

Willie Mullins take a bow.. you are a bloody genius and now he looks like he might be our Champion Trainer!

The last two weeks of the season will make good viewing as the trainers table is tight and there are a couple of big important races on the horizon..

Monday morning.

Happy birthdays to Julie Martin, Cathy Twiston-Davies and Alan Halsall..

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

Proud of our two boys at Aintree yesterday.

Chianti Classico ran a blinder and jumped for fun. Beaten 8 lengths into 4th, he did us proud. Tough it was always going to be, especially after his race at Cheltenham..We could be looking back at this result in a years’ time and say.. wow that was a good run..

The Edgar Wallace loved his trip over the GN fences. He again jumped for fun. It looked rather like Two For Gold a couple of years ago.. a race for the jockey to enjoy himself in... TEG made those fences look so small .. His jumping was voted one of the three best jumping performances of the day..

Both horses are fine this morning.. and will now have a summer break

Aintree on these 3 days is about as good as it gets for racing and fun. The locals are great and there are so many really good people racing. As a racecourse it works for these three days only. Everybody just looks happy.

We could not believe how good the journey to Aintree was. Both ways were so easy with light traffic.. And on a Friday night!

Saturday morning and David Bass was in to ride out as was yesterday big race winner Ciaran Gethings.. We jumped a few.

John Perriss was here second lot and Mirella’s family were here too.

We have just the one runner today at Chepstow. Moonlighter heads there and for my thoughts please click here.

Those at home this afternoon enjoy watching the Grand National.

My thoughts of the first four are, Corach Ramble, Meetingofthewaters, I Am Maximus and Noble Yeats

Mats are Corach Rambler, Kittys Light, Panda Boy and Vanillier

Good luck to all runners in the Grand National and may they all come home safe.

PS we have put slightly more effort in our selections that some !!

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.. To finish.. Happy birthday to Jason Maguire..

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

That really was excellent jump racing at Aintree yesterday.. Close finishes and some great riding especially from the amateur Derek O’Connor.. Yesterday provided all the evidence that he is the best in Ireland and...NJH breathed a sigh of relief for a Grade one winner to help his season.

David Bass warmed up for today with a typical front running ride at Taunton yesterday.

We head up to Aintree with two runners. Chianti Classico and The Edgar Wallace.. For my thoughts please click here.

David Andrews of Andrews Bowen was down this week checking on the two gallops that they have installed over the years. Annual maintenance time coming up in May.

Ladies day at Aintree!

The Masters..

Plus 12 and dry when driving in.

It was certainly not dry yesterday. 5 mm..

It was a wonderful funeral for Tom Wills.

Miserden Church looked fabulous and was packed with family. A very moving and enlightening service led by Cannon Andrew Bowden which included The Cotswold Prayer… Tom was lowered into the ground to the sound of the last post played by a Coldstream Guards Bugler… A very old English setting..

There will be a memorial service for Tom at The Parish Church of St John, Baptist, Cirencester on Wednesday 15th May at 2pm.

Thursday morning and away early taking 4 for a change of scenery. The Black Sam Gelding, Court In A Storm, Behind The Veil and Fairie Cutlass..

I am sure you have seen it as it has been all over the internet but some random person broke into a trainers stable at Warwick Farm and let a load of horses loose on the middle of the night.. One ended up on the local railway station..Horse escapes and heads to the train station

The first day of the Aintree Festival.. Great Racing..

There is a sale after racing tonight..Goffs..

The first day of The Masters..

Basil Fawlty..

Plus 5 and dry when driving in.

David Bass and Ciaran Gethings were in to ride out.

We jumped Chianti Classico, Trelawne, Destroytheevidence, The Edgar Wallace, Land Afar and Law Of Supply.

My thoughts on the future of amateur jockeys..

'A Labour government looks increasingly likely and one of their manifesto pledges is to ban hunting and Trail hunting.. Many might not worry, but those who ride in point to points will, as with no hunting there will no need for fund raising for hunts?. Point to point meetings are their biggest revenue scource.. So no point to pointing, no amateurs?

The current rules on conditional and amateurs make no sense.

Conditional jockeys, once they have a license can ride against professionals immediately, while Amateurs must have upto 15 completed rides over obstacles under rules or 20 placed or completed rides in point to points, or a combination to qualify for a Category B license to ride against pros..

So why do we have such difficult rules for amateurs, especially when this winter point to points have been decimated by weather and small fields.

The future for both point to pointing and their especially their riders is looking very bleak indeed.

The BHA should be looking to change the rules to help amateurs get going rather than penalise them for wanting to be one.

My thoughts.. a series of 0/100 handicap hurdles where amateur and conditionals should be allowed to ride against each other.. in fact get rid of conditional races and have them for both forms of riders.

Conditional and Amateurs must ride in 10 of these qualifying races before they are allowed to ride against pros… Make it a ‘non fee paying’ structure as a carrot to encourage owners to allow them to ride their horses..You don't curently pay an amateur..

All our top jump jockeys have started their race riding life as an amateur, so please help the next generation before it is too late...Or if Point to pointing goes, does that mean the need for amateurs follows suit and we only have conditional jockeys?

I can tell you it is hard enough to encourage recruitment of stable staff, but if you cannot help those who want to progress to be jockeys,  you must wonder why anybody would want to join our sport of jump racing.

Racing prepares for the big 3 day Aintree Festival..

The Masters Golf is another huge sporting occasion.

Gerard Clinton obitury.. Extraodinary man

Sad day for Mrs B’s family as it is her Uncle Tom Wills's funeral this afternoon at St Andrews in Miserden

Happy birthday to Dougie..

Plus 8 and wet when driving in. 7mm last night

There is hope as the 100k Mares Novice Hurdle race from Kelso's last Saturdays's abandoned meeting has been rescheduled. It is now a 50k race for last season's novices to be run on May 8.. A huge opportunity for mares so early in the  new season! What a difficult winter.. weather wise.

Tuesday morning for us brings in Nigel and Donna Hall and Neil Adams here second lot to see their mare Brendas Asking.. A first visit to Thorndale..Sadly David Carey was unable to join us.

We have our usual vet visit and this weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were Fair Frontieres down 3 to 119 while Magical Escape up 3 to 119..

Not a good headline to read in the Racing Post..‘Significant headwinds' force Jockey Club to reduce prize-money contribution for remainder of 2024’

Total attendance at the Cheltenham Festival in March, which is hugely important to the Jockey Club's financial year, was down by 10,600 overall…

You can tell the Grand National is just around the corner as the news channels are talking about it.. Ben Newman and Kevin Blake on Sky News yesterday.. Kevin Blake was excellent.. Click here to watch

Newton Abbot next week is already off..

The 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, French for drinking lime juice under canvas, was marked on Monday.

GK Chesterton once wrote that “if an Englishman has understood a Frenchman, he has understood the most foreign of foreigners”, while they say all kinds of rude things about les rosbifs, but our countries get each other much more than we like to let on.

The French writer Claude Gagnière, for instance, summed up our national summer sport perfectly, especially given the results in the first round of the County Championship: “The teams enter the field. The umpire whistles. It starts to rain.”

Jethro