Stratford Pair

Today there are four meetings taking place with two on the level at Lingfield and Kempton as well as two jumps meetings at Stratford and Hereford.  The stable has a couple of runners in the hands and heels hurdle at Stratford - American Art who will be partnered by Tom Bellamy and Woodlark Island (pictured above) who will be ridden by Kieron Edgar.

It is sad news for racing that dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has been retired, but at least he retires safe and sound which is always a good thing.  His record of 23 successes from 41 starts is a great achievement and his five King George victories is a record that could stand for a very long time.  He was a great chaser who will be very difficult to replace.  We have been privileged to see the likes of Frankel on the level and Kauto Star over jumps, but their retirements in such close proximity does seem to leave something of a void at the top of our sport...hopefully one of the promising youngsters of the last twelve months will step up to the plate.

*****

I was watching the action from Lingfield yesterday afternoon and was taken by the performance of three year old Ehtedaam who was the winner of the 1m2f maiden.  The Godolphin owned colt certainly improved for his first outing and he impressed here beating a John Gosden inmate with daylight back to the third.  He looks capable of going on to better things.

*****

What a great game last night in the Capital One Cup between Manchester United and Chelsea.  The Blues managed to seal the win 5-4 in extra time, although perhaps the most surprising aspect is that both teams finished with eleven men still on the pitch!  Having said that, there were nine more yellow cards.

It was another bad night for Liverpool as they were beaten 3-1 at home to Swansea - it was probably the one trophy that Liverpool had a chance of winning this season.  37,000 fans turned out to see the reds...I wonder how much longer they will stand behind this Liverpool side?