My poor run continues with Mon Michel soundly beaten at Taunton on Thursday. Again he coughed after the race and he clearly isn’t right. It’s worrying – he has the scope to make a very decent chaser but he needs to be right in himself and he hasn’t shown his best for a while now. Shepherd’s Warning goes on Monday …
I’ve had better
I’ve had better weekends. On Friday in the day my main fancies ran badly, although I found a couple of winners to limit the damage. I had three runners in the evening, all fancied a little bit and they all finished tailed off! I decided to have a go at the Scoop6 on Saturday – I put only one in each of the …
Harty and Hendy
Three runners at Wolverhampton this evening, and I may go up. King’s Head goes in the 8:50 and both Shepherd’s Warning and Effingham go in the 9:20. King’s Head comes here mainly because we haven’t had the right ground to run him over the jumps. He doesn’t like it soft and it’s tough finding the right opportunities for him over …
Process of elimination
Mon Michel disappointed at Fontwell – he travelled well enough but faded to 5th at the end of the race. We were expecting better. He scoped clean and his blood was good after the race but he did cough – I don’t think he was 100%. No matter – he’s filled out and he’s ripe to go chasing now. Both of my …
Super Star
It finally feels like the jumps season proper has arrived now that the Paddy Power meeting is underway. I’d like to go but I’ve got family commitments – I’m going to Fontwell tomorrow to cheer Mon Michel on in the Tikram hurdle. His future lies over fences but he should have a decent chance of signing off his hurdles career with a …
Supreme team
I went down to Lambourn yesterday and spent the morning with Tom Dascombe. He’s extended his stable by taking over the stables next door – until recently the home of Paul Blockley. I had a look at all my horses. There isn’t a lot to report. All were well. Marine Boy continues to impress with his physique, as does Max …
Decent Chance
Just one runner today – Shepherd’s Warning goes in the 8:20 at Wolver tonight. I saw her at the stables a few months ago and I did a real double take – she’s still small but she’s filled out unbelievably well in front and she looked like a different horse. She should win more races. I wouldn’t rule her out today, …
Thoughts on Melbourne
I’m back at my desk having flown in to a freezing cold Heathrow at 5:30 this morning wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I hardly slept a wink and I’m fading fast – as soon as I’ve done the blog I’m off to bed. I couldn’t have been more impressed with Melbourne – it’s got everything. It’s clean and well maintained …
Cup Day
On Sunday we decided to go on a walk around the town. We went up to the MCG and the Rod Laver Arena, crossed over the Yarra river and came back through the park. There was a lot going on – marketplaces, street entertainers and artists. Although the trees and birds were different to the UK the architecture wasn’t so …
Derby Day
Still in Aus and still suffering from jetlag – I suspect I’ll finally get over it when it’s time to go home. I travelled over with Stephen Morana, Betfair’s Chief Financial Officer, who is also feeling it. I had a busy day Wednesday, finishing late in the office – Stephen was asleep in his chair. We walked back to the hotel – I had an early …