Runners At Ayr & Huntingdon

Well, the good news is that both Huntingdon and Sedgefield have passed inspections although we are still waiting on Ayr where they will be taking a look at 11.30am to see if racing goes ahead.  Fingers crossed that the Scottish track gets the green light as The Tracey Shuffle is forecast favourite for the handicap hurdle under Tom Scudamore, meanwhile Sir Frank (pictured above, nearside) runs for the stable at Huntingdon and will be partnered by Kieron Edgar.

I thought that Swing Bill ran creditably in fourth in the veterans' chase at Doncaster yesterday to be beaten only around three lengths, running on strongly at the end.  It looks like he might want a bit further or a stiffer track these days and he wasn't disgraced tyring to concede weight to the three in front of him.

Swing Bill runs in the famous colours of David Johnson and there is a good piece about his great race mare Lady Cricket on pages 16 and 17 of today's Racing Post.  It highlights what a great broodmare she is becoming thanks to the exploits of the yard's Swing Bowler and Red Sherlock who have racked up seven wins from eight starts between them.

Below I have another video from David's Press Day at the yard on Tuesday.  Here he talks about exciting novice chaser Goulanes who is unbeaten in three starts since joining us at Pond House.  I will be bringing you further videos and pictures from the media event over the coming days, so do keep checking back!

Goulanes Press Day 2013

I thought that Jupiter Rex was the impressive winner of the conditional jockeys' race at Ludlow yesterday afternoon.  He looks to be one to look out for if turning out again quickly as he will escape a penalty for this win - he has loads of entries so keep your eyes peeled!

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I see there is a runner today at Sedgefield called Fred Archer.  His namesake was an incredible jockey back in the late 1800's who was champion jockey on the flat an incredible thirteen times despite the fact that he died at the age of only 29.  Archer won the Derby on five occasions and Martin has a fantastic picture (right) of the great man among his racing memorabilia.

Speaking of Martin's racing collection, I am sure that many of you will know that he has a fascination of all things Dorothy Paget and today marks the day that she was born in 1905.  Miss Paget was the owner of many famous racehorses including five time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Golden Miller and Champion Hurdler Insurance.

While we are on the subject of birthday's it is racey author Jilly Cooper's 76th birthday today.  Jilly has been to a number of Martin's partys at Pond House and is a lovely lady.  I was watching her making some notes one day (she was probably basing one of her dashing leading men on me!) and it was almost impossible to make out what she had written down...she must have an excellent translator!  Anyway, many happy returns Jilly.

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Surely it is time to stop messing around with disgraced former cycling legend Lance Armstrong?  He has now refused to be interviewed under oath by American drug officials.  Personally I would now just get the police involved - you do not need the likes of Armstrong in any form of sport.  I always think that the authorities are too lenient on these drugs cheats, they should just hand out a lifetime ban to anyone found taking them.

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Just when I was starting to get fed up with the cold weather, I was given some surprising perspective by the golf course at Dove Mountain in the Arizona desert.  The putting green was covered in 3-4 inches of snow!  You just don't expect to see that in a desert...maybe I don't have it so bad in Brixham?!