Newton Goes Ahead

I was pleased to see that Newton Abbot have cancelled their intended inspection this morning and deem the course fit to race.  There has been plenty of rain down here over the last couple of weeks and the ground is sure to be pretty testing - the stable has one runner, Vertige Dore in the handicap hurdle at 4 o'clock.  With the abandonment of Hamilton, there is also one other meeting on the flat at Bath this afternoon.  Amazing isn't it?...two more meetings on in the same neck of the woods on the same afternoon - once again, stand up and take a bow race-planning!

I was pleased to see that Newton Abbot have cancelled their intended inspection this morning and deem the course fit to race.  There has been plenty of rain down here over the last couple of weeks and the ground is sure to be pretty testing - the stable has one runner, Vertige Dore in the handicap hurdle at 4 o'clock.  With the abandonment of Hamilton, there is also one other meeting on the flat at Bath this afternoon.  Amazing isn't it?...two more meetings on in the same neck of the woods on the same afternoon - once again, stand up and take a bow race-planning!

*****

I have a couple more pictures from the gallops this morning - firstly of unbeaten bumper filly Too Generous (who is entered over hurdles at Bangor on Thursday) as she worked in company with Enfant de Lune, who holds an entry at Fontwell the following afternoon.  While I was there, I also managed to get a picture of old favourite Bathwick Man (also in at Fontwell on Friday) as he worked in company with recent recruit Hellfire Club.

  
Above left: (l-r)Too Generous and Enfant de Lune and right: (l-r) Hellfire Club and Bathwick Man on the gallops

*****

I see that Betfair founder Andrew Black's dog ate all seven of his Sunday lunch steaks!  I can remember staying at Sir Henry Cecil's stables with Martin many years ago and one of Henry's dogs ran off with one of the birds that he was going to cook for us.  I can still see Henry chasing the dog around the house, although it still tasted good in the end!  Henry is a marvellous chef and I think he had more trouble finding a pan to cook Martin's chips!

*****

What a great fight back from the European's to land the Ryder Cup at the weekend.  I bet all of the golf nuts stayed up to watch the match - the day started off badly with Rory McIlroy over-sleeping and having to get a police escort to get to the course in time.  Ian Poulter seemed to wind the Americans up and show the spirit Europe needed to make this remarkable fight back.  I bet there was some party in Medinah last night...sadly the result was too late to make the morning papers.

*****

I can't be wrong all the time and it was comforting to see that former England striker Alan Shearer agrees with me when he says that the loss of Vidic could cost Manchester United the Premiership.  I think that Sir Alex should have signed a couple of top class defenders including a centre-half - to me, Ferdinand looks like he is fast approaching his sell-by date and if he picks up an injury there will be a real crisis at Old Trafford.