Massannie's Stratford Success!

It was a good day for the stable yesterday, for although we did not have a Royal Ascot winner, Massannie (pictured above) was the easy victor of the mares' novices' hurdle at Stratford.  She won with any amount in hand under Tom Scudamore and Wayne and Sarah Clifford's homebred would appear to be a mare to follow.  She is now unbeaten in two starts since joining us at Pond House and looks well capable of holding her own in a better grade than this.

It's day two of the Royal meeting at Ascot this afternoon and hopefully there will be more fantastic action like we enjoyed yesterday.  There are four other meetings taking place too, with Hamilton, Kempton and Ripon holding flat cards, while there is also a jumps fixture at Uttoxeter.  The stable has three runners at Uttoxeter - Laustra Bad, Palace Jester and High Ville, while Purple 'N Gold represents the yard on the all-weather at Kempton.  Laustra Bad is well handicapped on his best form but would need to improve on what he has shown so far this term.

What a finish to the St James's Palace Stakes yesterday as Dawn Approach bounced back from his dismal Derby effort to land the big race of the day in a driving finish from Toronado.  Personally, if I were the owner of Dawn Approach I don't think I would ever again run him over further than a mile - he was unbeaten until tackling a mile and a half, and there appears to be little to gain from attempting that trip again - he is top class over a mile.

It was good to see Darryll Holland back riding in this country.  He was paying a flying visit to these shores as he has been riding in South Korea since February.  I am not sure that I would prefer South Korea to Royal Ascot!

David was interviewed on Attheraces yesterday afternoon and I saw him done up in his top hat...that is all I am going to say!

*****

The cricket should be exciting and I reckon it is going to be a close call between England and South Africa.  England are just edging favouritism at 10/11, although South Africa are only even money.  I will follow my heart and stick with England.

*****

It sounds like the situation at Newcastle United Football Club is going to get touchy.  It would seem that manager Alan Pardew does not want Joe Kinnear there as 'Director Of Football'...I am sure this is all going to end in tears.