Winker breaks the spell

A winner at last! It's a real relief, and it was great to be back in the winner's enclosure again. I'd had 24 runs since my last winner, with 8 seconds, 4 thirds and 3 fourths - I was beginning to think I was cursed.

I got to the course early and I had the chance of a good look at him. He'd come on a mile physically from when I last went up to see him - I couldn't pick any holes in him conformationally and I thought he was the pick of the paddock. From what I'd been told and from what I know of Pete I thought he was as close to a certainty as he could be - I'd expected him to be odds on but his price went the other way and he touched 3-1 on Betfair. I had a large bet - he won very easily.

I had a couple of other bets on the day, including one on Phoenix Tower of Henry Cecil's which won at a nice price. I think Henry may finally be properly back in business - I plan to have a horse or two with him one day. I had two nice winners from three bets yesterday, and in two days I've managed to square off most of my losses of what had been a pretty bad year to date.

I'm hoping to have a few 2yos at Ascot this year and Winker is among the best of them - he could turn out to be the best. If all goes well he may go for the National Stakes at Sandown and then go to Royal Ascot, or he may just go straight to Ascot. We think he'll be better over 6f than 5f.

Prince Ary is down to run at Wincanton on Sunday - if he goes he probably just has Artadi to beat. I have a big opinion of Artadi though. He trounced King's Head two runs ago, and he then ran very badly against Mon Michel at Ascot. I asked Paul Nicholls about that run - he said it came too soon and should be ignored. We have a tough race on. King's Head is declared at Punchestown in what may cut up to be a very weak grade 1 juvenile - we may stand our ground and if we do I may go over. Mon Michel is currently targetting the Chester Cup - despite his failure to win in our colours I retain all my bullishness here. He can go on and become a serious racehorse. Some of the others may come out soon, but no declarations at the moment.