Jane Williams strikes at Paxford as the cold weather continues to be a feature of our AGA point-to-point season

The North Cotswold meeting was a late addition to our list of AGA qualifiers this season so myself, Derek and Dan made the short trip down the Fosse Way, while Mark made the marathon trek down the M5 to the Four Burrow meeting at Trebudannon. The two meetings could only muster seven runners between them, but as I'm writing this three weeks after the event I'm pleased to report that things have improved a bit during the past two weeks (apart from a two runner race at Hackwood Park).

A new career as a bookie is definitely not on the cards for the AGA man, Mark Hill was happy to loan me his joint for a photo, but declined the opportunity to loan me a float for the day!

There was a definite Stratford connection today as Ilona Barnett was on stewarding duties in the paddock, Stratford MD Stephen Lambert was enjoying a day out with his wife, and trainer Jelly O'Brien was saddling a runner in our race (she won the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford in 2001 with Look In The Mirror). All three grabbed the AGA man as soon as they saw Beazo and insisted that they have a photo with me ... or was it the other way around?

Shernally, Horsham Lad and Light Touch were in the paddock long before their respective jockeys, who sheltered from the biting wind for as long as possible before emerging to brave the elements ... did I mention that it was cold? Cold doesn't do it justice, think of all of the words that I have used in previous blogs - Baltic, Siberian, Bleak, Raw, well it was all of them, and Mrs S spent most of the day in the car!

As I'm writing this three weeks to the day since the race took place I cannot remember who or what made Jelly O'Brien laugh, so if you are reading this Jelly perhaps you can enlighten us all.

The AGA boys (Derek and Chris) made light work of carrying the AGA into the winners enclosure ready for the presentation, the normally shrewd Derek declining the opportunity to have a bet due to the lack of value.

The three who lined up gave us a decent race, and Horsham Lad and Shernally had a good battle, I'd also love to see a rematch over a longer trip as multiple AGA winner Horsham Lad was definitely coming back at the Baimbridge mare on the run in.

Five lengths seperated the pair at the finish, but the 6 points for finishing second was enough to elevate Phine Banks to the top of the AGA Championship table. Phine and Jane are fighting it out at the top of the table and Horsham Lad has since chalked up his third AGA win of the season, while we'll hopefully be seeing Shernally in action again at Woodford this weekend.

Dick Baimbridge was on top form and so was Graham Fisher - who is definitely not letting go of this trophy, while Jane was beside herself with excitement at the thought of yet another Beazo interview!



It was a good day despite the cold and I spent some time with a few old pals from my days as a licensee, as ever Beazo was on hand to make sure I could add to my photo collection for the season!

Beazo insisted I stood by this beauty - there was a whole row of them in the bookies car park, but I will need to sell quite a few more AGA cookers before I can afford one!

This one will probably be included in the end of season collection and it marked the end of another good day, although the verdict was unanimous from everyone in attendance - we've all had enough of the cold wind! Mind you, with Easter falling towards the end of April next year we might even be able to light the BBQ!