Just a quick update on what I've been up to exercise-wise. Got up this morning for a workout - putting in the 4k runs before work really wakes you up. Even, if the ensuing mad dash to the office feels like working out all over again! There's really been limited chance for me to keep the fitness going, whilst I've been riding horses and trying to develop my skill level.

Someone at the yard suggested that as I work at the racecourse, why don't I try the mechanical horse in the Hall of Fame. So (despite the fact that anyone can walk past and watch you!) I tried it out earlier in the week. To be honest I have no idea why it didn't occur to me before. Obviously, going full-pelt on a racehorse, on a course is completely different to the gallops that I've been doing; the mechanical horse was TOUGH!

The Cheltenham Racecourse mechanical horse

I woke up the next morning black and blue. It was quite enjoyable when I got used to it; although, I'll have to see if I say the same thing thundering over 7 furlongs on a real horse! It's made me appreciate all the hard work that goes into racing and the the effort all the Charity Derby riders have put in to make this a great race. Hopefully, we won't disappoint and we'll raise a lot of money for Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org).

On that note, I just checked my Just Giving (www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bowkett) and even though my target's been smashed, you're all being incredibly generous and still giving. Thank you so much!

Princess and me

The legendary Kauto Star

There have been a few good omens about the Big Race, that I've noticed. But the most striking of all was pointed out to me by my good friend Francis Keogh, and now I can't stop thinking it whenever I look at Ambrose Princess! She looks the spitting image of one of the greatest living racehorses; Kauto Star.

Except, of course, Princess is teeny in comparison - like a travel version! Let's hope the resemblance really does bode well and she's goes around the Cheltenham course as well as Kauto has done!

You may have noticed that I've been really excited about a couple of recent photo shoots; one was released last Saturday in the Echo's Weekend supplement. But the one I've been really dying to get my hands on was a shoot we did for Cotswold Style magazine (www.stylemagazines.co.uk).

The shoot was shot at racing legend Jonjo O'Neill's yard and was based around the racing season (isn't everything in the Cotswolds at this time of year?!) and fashion that we could wear. CS very kindly allowed me to be a model to raise awareness for Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org) and the Big Race. It was so beautifully done and the clothes were stunning - I was just anxious to see it in print.

Well, thankfully it really didn't disappoint! The March issue came out yesterday and the photos look really spectacular, thanks to the ever talented Spencer McPherson (www.allintheimage.co.uk), who also managed to come support us at the benefit party a couple of weeks ago. It was a surreal and nerve-wracking experience to be working alongside the professional models, but I'd definitely do it again! Here are some photos for you to have a peek:

Not really much going on today apart from the awful ache that Boxercise (from last night) inflicts! So I thought I'd treat you to a few more casual pics of Ambrose Princess, because she's gorgeous and I'm so excited to ride her:

Getting acquainted!

With Sophie 'Campaign Manager' Scarrott

Showing us her best side!

Out into the cold

Don't we look good together?!

Princess is small, but good things come in small packages!

I'll probably hit the gym later for my 4k run. But to be honest, I'd much rather be out on Princess. Oh well, not long now.

Thanks for all your support! I've smashed my target on my Just Giving Page! But, as always, Cancer Research UK is a fantastic cause, so any donations are still incredibly welcome.

More riding out at Nigel Twiston Davies' (www.nigeltwistondavies.co.uk) today and was given some help and tips by the Assistant Head Lad, Richard Bevis (Sparky). Some advice I've been given is to use the the mechanical horse at work (!!) during lunch breaks. It seems that working at Cheltenham Racecourse is going to come in really handy! So I'm thinking of starting that tomorrow.

Richard 'Sparky' Bevis

I have to say, I am so grateful to the Nigel, Fergal O'Brien and the rest of the team at Grange Hill Farm for their support and advice. It can't be easy to try and train up an amateur for a race watched by 60,000 people. Thank you so much guys!

It's getting so much closer now. It's the last real push for fitness. So I'm off to slog at the gym. Boxercise tonight; which guarantees pain! But results as well, so it's worth it. I'm also dragging my friend Nicola with me, I hope she doesn't hate me for it!

Ambrose Princess!

Right, so this would be the entry where I promised I'd tell you all what horse I'm riding. I was thinking maybe I should wait a bit longer, though? No, don't worry! I wouldn't do that. I've already had stacks of people tweeting me (http://twitter.com/chloebowkett) asking what she's called.

The horse I'll be racing is a 6 year-old called Ambrose Princess (details from the Racing Post found HERE) trained by the well-known Michael Scudamore (details here). Huge thanks go to the very generous owners the Chris Coley (http://www.chriscoleyracing.co.uk/) and the YesNoWaitSorries Racing Syndicate, who have been so kind as to lend me their very valuable and top-notch horse to race with. It's a real thrill for me to do this on such a good horse.

I'm also going to be racing in their traditional "scrambled egg" colours of Red and Yellow, which are the colours of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) who play at the Lord's ground. The syndicate is closely involved in the MCC as well as the Gloucestershire Gipsies CC.

I'll be wearing these MCC colours

I'm so excited now. It's really, really close and everything is sorted. Just time to practise and finally ride the race for Cancer Research UK! Just 2 weeks to go.

Have to admit I woke up early this morning and dashed out to the newsagents for a copy of the Echo! More accurately, the 'Weekend' supplement with the styling session at the racecourse in it.

I'm really pleased with it; the outfits look great and the backgrounds that we shot against look spectacular. For those, I have to thank stylist Kate Parker (www.kateparkerstyle.com) and photographer Spencer McPherson (www.allintheimage.co.uk), who are not only incredibly talented at what they do and have become great friends, but are giving up their time to help Cancer Research UK.

Here are a few pics from the shoot:

 

Hope you like them, had such a fun time doing the shoot.

I also rode the mystery horse today! She's really good and I really enjoyed riding out on her; felt comfortable straight away, so that's brilliant. BUT I'm not going to tell you about her just yet. You'll have to wait for the next blog entry! You've all seen enough fun stuff for one day.

Thanks so much for all your continuing support.

 Rode out early this morning and had a really good time. Completely relaxed; of course, it's much easier now the mornings are getting brighter and slightly warmer. The views are really spectacular too, which helps!

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's test ride on the horse I will be racing on. No nerves at all, which is a vast improvement compared to the beginning of training.

Carl Llewellyn with Earth Summit

 

Next week, I've arranged to meet top jump jockey Carl Llewellyn for some racing pointers. I've met him before but I'm looking forward to picking his brain for tips that might help for the big day...every little helps!

Special thanks donations-wise go to the big boss Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, for his donation and continued support! Also, the amazing companies based in Cheltenham; Martin & Co. Jewellers (www.martin-and-co.com), the team at Wilkinson's and Promenade Antiques (www.promenadeantiques.co.uk).

It means so much to be a local girl and have you all right behind me!