One Runner At Exeter

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with a good flat card from Newmarket as well as jumps fixtures from Carlisle and Exeter.  David has one runner this afternoon as Skinflint contests the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at Exeter at 2.35pm.  Our former Irish point-to-point runner-up should be suited by this longer trip and showed promise at Newbury three starts back, although he would need to improve on what he has shown most recently.  Tom Scudamore takes the ride in this wide open contest.

I took Carol up to Oaksey House in Lambourn yesterday for more treatment on her shoulder and who should we bump into in reception?  Joe Mercer (pictured above)!  Joe was champion flat jockey in 1979 and is probably most famous for partnering the incredible Brigadier Gerard.  Joe is 84 years old now but looks remarkably well.  He was telling us about all the old jockeys - it was fascinating stuff and we must have talked for a good hour before heading over to Oliver Sherwood's stable.

I was amazed when we stepped into Oliver's office...the first picture I saw was of him riding Martin's Baron Blakeney to victory at Aintree.  He said that the Baron was an absolutely brilliant jumper.  I had to agree - he would have to be for Oliver to have won on him, wouldn't he?!  We then headed off to the gallops and it is amazing how many different surfaces they have available to them in Lambourn.  I must say, he was great fun and all of his staff seem to get on with him very well.

Afterwards we headed down to the Queen's for a bite to eat and in walks Alan King and Luke Harvey, so I proceeded to spend the next two hours taking the mickey out of Luke before heading back to AP's where we are staying for a couple of days.  AP was riding with his son, Archie and daughter, Eve.  Eve then schooled over eight hurdles with her dad and she looked very good.  She wants to be a show jumper and looks as though she could do it already!

We bumped into Richard Hannon junior in the pub last night and this morning we are heading off to his former stable jockey's, Richard Hughes.  It really has been a whirlwind tour!

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My team West Ham played out a 1-1 draw with Stoke which was a bit disappointing as there was really only one team in it.  West Ham were far superior and if it had been a fight, the referee would have stopped it.

*****

I used to date a one-legged girl who worked in a brewery.  She was in charge of the hops!  Have a nice day...

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