Penultimate Day of Season

E Street Boy in action at Wincanton
(Photo Steve Kemp)

Today there are five meetings, two on the flat at Sandown and Doncaster and also three jumps cards at Perth, Chepstow and Plumpton.  It is also the fourth day of the Punchestown Festival.  David has two runners at Plumpton, Smooth Classic and E Street Boy.  Kieron Edgar rides both of these runners and E Street Boy is looking to follow up his win at Wincanton last time out.  Smooth Classic did not run too badly at Ffos Las last time and the drier ground should suit him better this evening.  Weekend Millioanir is David's only runner at Chepstow in the 6.25pm race.  Conor O'Farrell rides and although he has gone up nine pounds for his win at Taunton last time out there could be more to come on only his second try over three miles.  Remember Nick Scholfied deputised on him last time out after Tom Bellamy unfortunately broke his leg at Taunton that day.  On that note I hear Tom's recovery is going well so far, he was doing some physio in the swimming pool yesterday although it will be a fair while yet before he is back in action on a horse!  It all looks fairly competitive races this evening but our horses all look to have fair chances.

Looking back on yesterday's action, it is a shame that Solwhit was withdrawn at the start of the Ladbrokes World hurdle at Punchestown.on veterinary advice.  It meant that Quevega had an easy time picking up 105,000 Euros to the winner.  Quevega is a super little mare and a much deserved success although it would have been interesting to see a great battle between two brilliant horses.  It was a fantastic day for the Mullins team who had five winners.

If you follow names of horses then you migh have won some money yesterday!  Poetic Lord wn the 5.55 at LIngfield and 30 minutes later Poetry writer won.  They are the sort of bets that my wife has!

    Ron Atkins on the Equicisor in recent years!

Its Ron Atkins' 70th birthday today.  Ron was one of MCP's first jockeys and you may remember he had a big RA on his helmet.  Ron still looks the same as he did in his riding days.  He used to have some great excuses when things went wrong.  One day he said to me that the sun on the water jump refelcted in his eyes!  I also remember him coming into the first aid room at Newton Abbot with a broken shoulder.  In walked Malcolm Zadel next with a blister on his foot because a horse had trod on it.  Ron was in a fair amount of pain but could not stop laughing!  RA was a great judge of a horse and I hope he has a great birthday.

Chelsea had a good 2-1 win at Basle last tnight.  They have still got to get a result at home but they should get into the final of the Europa League. Keep Smiling.