Hexham, Leicester Abandon

Unfortunately Hexham and Leicester have already been forced to abandon today's jumps card due to frost.  It does surprise me a little as the forecasters were a little off-beam down here - we were prepared for temperatures of as low as -5°c but surprisingly they didn't materialise.  Nevertheless, we have a couple of meetings to look forward to on the all-weather at Lingfield and Kempton if all else fails.

Unfortunately Hexham and Leicester have already been forced to abandon today's jumps card due to frost.  It does surprise me a little as the forecasters were a little off-beam down here - we were prepared for temperatures of as low as -5°c but surprisingly they didn't materialise.  Nevertheless, we have a couple of meetings to look forward to on the all-weather at Lingfield and Kempton if all else fails.

I thought that yesterday's runner Quinte du Chatelet performed creditably under topweight in the novices' handicap chase at Fontwell to finish a staying-on fourth.  He jumped very well for jockey Tom Bellamy and produced his best effort for a little while - let's hope that the handicapper drops him a few more pounds and gives him a fighting chance.

Martin and Carol have just come back from France where they have spent a few enjoyable days with owners George and Angie Malde shopping for champagne in the town of the same name.  I am looking forward to getting an invitation to the party!  I wonder if he will get any of his famous curries on the go?  I reckon George must serve up the best curries in England...I think his mum makes them!

Today is the twelfth of the twelfth 2012 and at 12.12pm Martin thought that it would be a good time for a photo opportunity!  I suppose when you consider the next time it will be the twelfth of the twelfth of the twelfth year, it will be a thousand years from now!

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The big story hitting the headlines is the departure of Kauto Star from the Paul Nicholls yard to pursue a career in dressage.  It would seem that the staff at the yard are upset by him leaving and I can understand it after nine successful years, although the bottom line is that Clive Smith owns the horse and will have the final say on what happens to him.  I hope that he enjoys his new life and will be treated like royalty.

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I was in the bookies listening to one of the punters moaning about jockey Jordan Vaughan who lost his irons leaving the stalls yesterday at Lingfield.  As I pointed out to him, unfortunately if you back a horse with a 7lbs apprentice on board, it is one of the chances you take - their claim is to offset their lack of experience.  I would love to see some of these betting shop 'experts' on top of a racehorse - I always thought it would be easy, but my broken wrist still gives me stick everytime it gets cold even after all these years...what's the temperature at the moment?!

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There was a tough loss for Arsenal as they were beaten by Bradford last night.  Boss Arsene Wenger said, "It's not that bad, they are only one letter below us in the alphabet!"

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I was watching The Simpsons last night (I know, but unfortunately I couldn't get the National Geographic channel for some reason!) and I thought that someone was having a pop at West Ham, but they didn't get the colours quite right.  I guess the Hammers must be a 'Homer' side...there must be a joke in there somewhere!