Pre-race confidence proves to be well founded as Emily MacMahon wins a thrilling AGA Ladies Open on Master Medic at Larkhill

"Where's Larkhill" asked Mrs S last week, "Near Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge" was my response, "Sounds like the middle of nowhere and miles away" she replied! While it's not in the middle of nowhere, it would certainly mean an early start for us - and I chose to break that news to her gently at some point during Saturday afternoon. The first message arrived at 4.40am on Sunday, courtesy of AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who was reminding me that another AGA race was on the horizon. There was also a subtle reminder that she would be feeding and mucking out eleven horses before I had even thought about getting up!

Nothing remarkable about the photos above you may think, other than the fog! It was foggy all the way there, and foggy when we arrived - very foggy! We couldn't see the course and racing was delayed by one hour in order to give the fog a chance to lift - the Met Office reports suggested it would, although it was touch and go for a while and racing was in doubt.

The car park continued to fill up and the fog slowly lifted to reveal a previously hidden racecourse ... and some horses! Great news for everyone, especially Jackie Oliver who had been amusing herself taking photos of me ... taking photos of her, and the then amusing her friends by showing them the snaps!

All good fun but the eagle eyed among you will have spotted the AGA Home Business booklet being handed to Mrs Hope by Mrs Hart in the background, I certainly did. Mrs Hope liked the idea so watch this space!