Wincanton, Fontwell Runners

Today there are four meetings, three over the sticks at Wincanton, Fontwell and Ludlow as well as an all-weather flat card at Kempton.  The stable has four runners at Wincanton - Bladoun (pictured above), Bygones Sovereign, El Lobo and Waterunder, and a runner at Ludlow - Seven Nation Army who makes his debut for the stable this afternoon.  Bygones Sovereign is turned out again under a penalty following his success at Exeter last week and he will be partnered this afternoon by amateur jockey Mikey Ennis who replaces the injured Tom Bellamy.  According to the handicapper, he is 1lb 'well-in' compared with his new rating.

One person who is not so happy with the handicapper is Harvey Smith.  Harvey, husband and assistant to Grand National winning trainer Sue, is less than impressed by the 11lbs rise in the handicap that Auroras Encore incurred for winning racing's most famous steeplechase by nine lengths.  He's probably done a good job on the eleven year old, mind you most people would settle for winning one race a year if it was the Grand National!  Harvey does have a point, but I doubt very much whether Phil Smith will care too much about his rants.

I see that the Professional Jockeys' Association is calling for a suspension to jump racing the day after the Grand National to give those who competed at Aintree a chance to rest.  Surely the jockeys know if they are fit and well?  It sounds like a ridiculous idea to me!  What about those jockeys who didn't get the chance to compete in the Grand National?  There are only a privileged forty who get a chance to ride in the big race every year and there are plenty more jockeys about than that I promise you!  Why should those others lose the opportunity to earn a few quid just so the Grand National jockeys can have a rest?  Perhaps there should be a day off for us poor punters who lose every year on the National?  Whatever will they think of next?!

*****

I will be fixed to the television (just for a change) as coverage of the Masters golf from Augusta takes place.  Tiger Woods, who is a four-time winner around here is the 6/1 favourite and his previous winning form must stand him in good stead.  I will be having a small interest on Luke Donald at 40/1 and D A Points at 300/1 - you heard it here first!

I once tried to walk around the course when it was closed, although security would not let me on the premises.  Pity, I only wanted to lood at Amen Corner...