John Timpson's owner's blog...

Now summer has arrived, the training bills are more modest and there is a lot less for me to report.

By the beginning of May most of our horses were out in the fields enjoying a break. Our trainers, Paul and Henry no longer needed to telephone to tell us why a horse would not run for at least a month ("going too soft", "needs to come on a bit", "can't find the right race"). Nor do they need to manage our expectations before a race ("it’s a hot race, anywhere in the first 6 would be a good result", "not the ideal distance but he needs the run").

John Timpson's owner's blog...

In a month dominated by The General Election Alex and I spent quite a lot of time in Crewe and Nantwich supporting our son Edward in his successful battle for re-election as their member of Parliament. As a consequence we have not seen much racing recently.

John Timpson's owner's blog...

I suppose it is my fault for not giving up the day job (having just had my 67th birthday I am certainly old enough to retire) I am still conscientious enough to turn down a day at the races in favour of a prior commitment at the office.

John Timpson's owner's blog...

Alex certainly had a purple patch at the end of January, which continued while we were away on Mustique. Saffron de Cotte's first time out bumper win made it 3 wins and a second in 5 outings. On our return we went straight from Gatwick to Hereford to watch Cobblers Queen run in a qualifier for the Mares' Final at Newbury on 27 March. Despite being top weight by over a stone we finished a comfortable third and the Newbury meeting is firmly in our diary.