You Know It Makes Sense!

The Racing Post continues their series about young racing fanatics and today's featured student, sixteen year old William Kedjanyi is another that speaks plenty of sense.  He talks of reducing the fixture list in order to increase field sizes and promote better prize-money, while on a local level he talks of cutting the price of admission and food at racecourses to bring racing more into line with other sports such as football and rugby...why is it that the youngsters can see what needs doing?  Perhaps we should be recruiting these guys to the Racing For Change think tank as I haven't seen many worthwhile changes so far!

William is obviously a man of impeccable taste too - he lists his favourite horse as Old Vic "a complete legend", his favourite jumps trainer as David Pipe and his favourite racing moment as when Our Vic got the better of Kauto Star in that thrilling Betfair Bowl at Aintree...good man - keep following the team!  You can find out more about William by visiting his blog: www.keejayov.blogspot.com

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I was very amused to hear Luke Harvey under fire at Chepstow yesterday while interviewing successful trainer Richard Phillips for Attheraces.  The intrepid reporter commented that Phillips looked "bedraggled" due to the wet weather that fell in Wales yesterday - Phillips retorted "at least I've actually got hair that can get wet!"  Poor old Luke, he is a bit of an easy target, but you can't knock his sense of humour - he always takes these jibes in good spirit.

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I thought that Exeter did as well as could be expected against Liverpool in the second round of the Carling Cup last night.  The Grecians were beaten 3-1 and while they were outclassed by their Premiership counterparts they didn't give up and should be proud of their performance.

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We have just the one runner at Ffos Las this afternoon, My Brother Sylvest in the 5.20pm handicap hurdle.  He has been very keen in his two starts since joining us, but hopefully he will settle in the hands of Tom Scudamore.

Meanwhile, we have been busy on the gallops and I am pleased to bring you a couple of shots of the horses in action - they are of Newbury bumper winner African Broadway and exciting new recruit Big Occasion, and Taseba working upsides Southerness.

  
Above left: African Broadway (nearside) and Big Occasion, and right: (l-r) Tasheba and Southerness