Jockey's Title Talk

The flat jockey's championship seems to be warming up with six times former champion jockey Kieren Fallon breaking through the one hundred winner barrier for the season.  He is currently one winner ahead of Nelson de Sousa, although he still trails current champion Paul Hanagan by eleven winners.  Fallon certainly seems to have built up some momentum and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him still challenging hard for the title come November when things will be decided.

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While Kieren Fallon is among the winners, sadly 16 year old conditional jockey Willy Twiston-Davies will not be.  The young lad broke his left ankle when falling from the Bob Buckler trained Ballygulleen at Worcester on Wednesday on only his second ride back since breaking his right leg.  It is certainly a massive blow and will keep him out of action probably until at least October - we all hope you are soon on the mend Willy.

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We had one runner yesterday, My Brother Sylvest who was sent off favourite to land the concluding handicap hurdle at Ffos Las.  He finished fourth in the hands of Tom Scudamore, but he once again spoiled his chance by pulling too hard for his own good - there may be a little race in him somewhere when he learns to settle better.

We have just the one runner at the Welsh course this afternoon - Frosted Grape in the fiercely competitive staying handicap chase at 4.50pm - she won three times over fences last season and confirmed her well-being with a win over hurdles at Uttoxeter on her penultimate start before narrowly failing to follow-up last time.  She is switched back to the larger obstacles this afternoon.  Tom Scudamore will take the ride and we will be hoping for the best - the good prize money on offer has certainly attracted a decent field.

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It has been a miserable morning thus far with plenty of rain, so I have a couple more pictures from yesterday's gallops.  This time they are of our Summer Plate winner Qulinton, as well as a couple more ex-flat recruits who are yet to make their debuts for the yard - Shallow Bay and Effervesce.

  
Above left: Summer Plate winner Qulinton, and right: (l-r) Shallow Bay and Effervesce on the Pond House gallops