Wolverhampton Runner

The bad news is that following early morning inspections, both jumps cards from Ludlow and Fakenham have been abandoned.  The good news is that racing on the all-weather goes ahead with no reported problems from Chelmsford City or Wolverhampton.  The even better news is that there is a runner from Pond House on the level at Wolverhampton as Three Star General (pictured above) contests the 1m6f handicap under former champion apprentice Tom Marquand, so there is still a chance that David will have a birthday winner!  Three Star General contests the 5.25pm race and he does have bits of form on the flat in Ireland (albeit on the turf) as well as some smart hurdling form that would give him a shout.  He is yet to run on the all-weather so that is the imponderable but it is not hard to see him go well at a big price.

Yes, it's David's birthday and he has reached the ripe old age of 55 and some mornings he certainly looks it!  Just think, I can remember him riding a winner at Ludlow aboard dual-Welsh National hero Bonanza Boy (pictured right), I would happily credit the photographer but it was so long ago I don't know who it was!  All I will say is that Bonanza Boy must have been some horse!  It is also former Pond House conditional Kieron Edgar's birthday today - he is only 24 even though he seems to have been around for years.  Many happy returns gents.

I still think that it is out of order to abandon a meeting as late as Sedgefield did yesterday.  I appreciate that the course wants to give the meeting every chance to go ahead, but abandoning around 11am when most of the owners, trainers, jockeys and especially horses have already left for the meeting is a little irresponsible.  Who has to foot the bill?  The owners of course.  It seems draconian, but why not make the course foot the bill for some of the expenses?  I am sure they would not be so late in making a decision then.

The BHA have announced that the new head of handicapping will be Dominic Gardner-Hill and he will take over from Phil Smith later in the year.  I remember Phil coming down to Pond House many years ago to face a firing squad of some of the sharpest minds in racing.  He was bombarded with questions but acquitted himself very well - there was also something about a blow-up doll but that is another story!

*****

I nicked a bit of cash from my bookmaker yesterday by having a bit on Swansea to beat Notts County and they duly obliged last night.  I didn't have too many anxious moments as Swansea won 8-1, yes I did say 8-1!

The rugby players of today are real men unlike some of these ballerinas that play football.  Patrick Ah Van scored a try on Sunday for Widnes with a broken arm.  He later said that his arm felt sore but he played on in their 40-12 victory over Catalan's Dragons.  I would have done exactly the same, obviously.

*****

I was amused to hear the newsreader report last night that the melted snow could freeze and turn to ice.  They clearly have a chemistry degree - not even I could make that one up!  Keep smiling...

Tweet