For the second day on the trot....
Sweltering Sandown became very sweltering Sandown. Especially after a couple of Bolt like sprints (in my dreams...) were required before saddling Sweet Ophelia. Jamie Spencer due to take the ride on our filly. But stood down by the doctor after riding the winner of the previous race. News that only filtered my way from the Clerk of the Scales after every other jockey had weighed out. Not ideal. Especially as Sophie, who had travelled with the horse, and me were planning to saddle in the racecourse stables.....
Into the Jockeys Room I went. To find it almost deserted. In fact, almost deserted would be understating the state of affairs. Thankfully, David Kenny appeared. And took the ride....
Sweet Ophelia travelled fine from a wide draw, but was posted wider up the straight as horses were manoevured out from her inner. Two furlongs out, she was running on well. By the furlong pole, her effort had petered out. But she will come on for this first run in a while....
Patrick and Valerie at Bath. Danas Present looking to have a decent shout in a poor race. But not the hardiest of horses. Clearly. And having travelled like a dream, he went out like a light once push came to shove....
One runner today. Secret Beau, who has improved through the summer, running in the maiden at Chepstow. It looks like we have bumped into one of Mr Hannon's. Which are quite difficult to avoid, being that there are 478 of them in training.....
We worked a few more up the grass yesterday. Belgian Bill (Pat Murphy) and Jakes Destiny (Pat Cosgrave). And then the 2-year-olds Uganda Glory (Daigo), Atilia (Bones), Red Four (Pat Cosgrave) and Bugsys Babe (Kirsty Milczarek). All with options in the days ahead....
Today's the big day. The Olympics get underway. Although, rather bizarrely, a few events seem to have started already. A bit like our Flat season that starts pretty tamely....
Judging by last night's football between "Team GB" and Senegal, this particular battle for a medal is not going to be that exciting...
Whilst I have to admit (as I said earlier in the week) that I have yet to be gripped by Olympic fever, I hope that is all about to change. An iconic moment in our nation's sporting history is upon us. There will always be the doubters. The killjoys. The "glass half empty" folk. But I really hope that these Games are embraced for what they are - a unique event for our island nation, and a chance for sport, fair play and sportsmanship to be shouted from the rooftops....
There will be some great tales unfolding over the next fortnight. Heartache and despair for the losers, utter elation for those who touch Gold. The fine margins of sport will play a big role, as ever, with the tales of glory interspersed with the tales of sheer bad luck....
Let's hope that the good stories are not overshadowed by the "bad". It is a given that there will be a drugs scandal of some sort. An athlete or two being hurried out of Heathrow in disgrace....
May the good heavily outweigh the bad. It is the taking part..... 
