If there’s one thing I dread it’s when a trainer calls me unexpectedly in the early morning. Gary Moore called me early on Friday – Mon Michel is probably out for the season with a leg problem. We don’t know how bad it is yet as he kicked and broke the scanner when we tried to take a look, but …
HWPA awards
I went to the HWPA (Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association) awards on Monday. Our table was a mix of Betfair horseracing team and journalists – I had John Cobb (Independent Racing editor) on my right and Guardian writer Greg Wood and his wife on my left. Matt Williams (RP) and Rob Shepherd (NOTW) were also on the table. The general mood was a …
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 …