Franklin's Southwell Success!

We only had one runner at Southwell yesterday afternoon but it was a winner so you can't ask for much more than that!  Franklin Roosevelt was the ready winner of the 3m2f handicap chase under Tom Scudamore.  Our seven year old jumped well in the main and stayed on strongly to win his first race over fences at the third attempt - it was certainly a good performance.  Southwell should be commended on the state of the ground considering that back before Christmas the course more closely resembled a boating lake!  It was their first meeting since and the good/soft ground was a great achievement by the groundstaff.

We only had one runner at Southwell yesterday afternoon but it was a winner so you can't ask for much more than that!  Franklin Roosevelt was the ready winner of the 3m2f handicap chase under Tom Scudamore.  Our seven year old jumped well in the main and stayed on strongly to win his first race over fences at the third attempt - it was certainly a good performance.  Southwell should be commended on the state of the ground considering that back before Christmas the course more closely resembled a boating lake!  It was their first meeting since and the good/soft ground was a great achievement by the groundstaff.

Today there are three meetings taking place - two over jumps at Taunton and Wetherby as well as a flat card on the all-weather at Southwell.  The stable has two runners at Wetherby as well as three more at our local track, including Edmund Kean.  Edmund Kean was the impressive winner of a novices' hurdle at Fakenham just four days ago
and he looks to have leading claims once again under Conor O'Farrell, while Home Run bids to get back on the winning trail for his sixth success of the season this afternoon under Kieron Edgar.

David opens the doors of Pond House for his annual Cheltenham Festival Press Day today and he will be parading a number of his leading fancies for the four day spectacular, including RSA favourite Dynaste (pictured right).  I will bring you a few pictures of the highlights later on, so don't forget to check back later!

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Manchester United produced only a workmanlike effort last night as they beat Reading 2-1 in the FA Cup.  Nani who rarely gets a game for the champions elect was the star of the match.  United had a few anxious moments towards the end when Reading scored although they did just enough to hang on.  It did strike me that De Gea is improving in goal for Man Utd.

I see that Paolo di Canio quit as Swindon boss last night...I had a dream that he became manager of West Ham.  The Hammers wouldn't win anything, but it would certainly be entertaining!

There was an interesting press conference with Arsene Wenger yesterday.  The Arsenal manager has really lost it and had a real go at the scribes.  He may make the club money, but the fans need to have trophies in the cabinets and Wenger hasn't managed that for eight years now.  The Arsenal trophy room is now just called a room!

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Thought for the day...Minella For Steak is probably not the best name for a racehorse at the moment!