Gevrey's Haydock Success

Providing nothing falls foul of the weather, it looks like being an exciting day's racing with two flat meetings at Lingfield and Wolverhampton on the all-weather as well as two excellent jump cards at Ascot and Haydock.  The stable has plenty of runners at Haydock, including Knight Pass and Katkeau in the Fixed Brush handicap hurdle - a race that we have won for the last two years with Grands Crus and Dynaste.  Our other runners at the meeting are  Poole Master, Battle Group and Master Overseer.  The big race of the day is the Betfair Chase and what a good field it is despite there being only six runners.  Our stable jockey Tom Scudamore rides Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster and it should certainly make for interesting viewing as he takes on Long Run and Silviniaco Conti.

What a fantastic win yesterday by Gevrey Chambertin at Haydock.  Beforehand it had looked to be a very hot novices' hurdle and he showed great resolution to beat Corrin Wood having looked beaten most of the way up the straight.  He got up right on the line to score by a nose, with nineteen lengths back to the third.  Could he turn out to be as good as his full-brother Grands Crus?  He is certainly looking promising at present.  Meanwhile Dan Breen ran a great race at Ascot to finish a close third to Petit Robin under young Frank Hayes and he looks as though he can be competitive in future from a mark of 132.

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There should be plenty of people at Haydock this afternoon - not just for the racing, but to see Kauto Star parade.  There will also be the unveiling of a statue to commemorate this great champion.  What with Sir Alex Ferguson also having a statue, it seems like all of the big sports stars are getting in on the act!

While we are on the subject of football, I will be placing my usual treble for the weekend on Everton at 11/20, Stoke at 5/4 and Wigan at 20/21 - fill your boots!

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Finally, David's column is in the Racing Post again this morning and the member of staff being profiled today is head lad (and Manchester United supporter) Eddie Buckley (pictured right).  It says that he chased his wife Sarah around Carvill's Hill's box for an entire season before she finally agreed to go out with him - the pair were married in 1995.  Fortunately for Sarah, Eddie has never been the fastest on his feet!