Eligible Second At Worcester

This afternoon there are five meetings taking place, four on the level at Haydock, Yarmouth, Epsom and Newbury as well as a jumps card at Perth.  The stable did not enjoy any success yesterday at Worcester although the majority of our runners performed with credit.  Most Eligible narrowly failed to concede a stone in weight to the winner of the bumper and he could be aided by a return to faster ground.  Decoy finished fourth in the handicap hurdle, staying on well in the closing stages and Garryleigh jumped okay en route to finishing third in the 2m7f novices' hurdle.

David is over at the Deauville sales this week and I see that he made a number of purchases yesterday, including one that cost €66,000.  Carol is over there keeping an eye on the purse strings...mind you it does sound as though they are having a good time.  David has an excellent record at these sales having bought the likes of Dynaste, Grands Crus, Gevrey Chambertin and Vieux Lion Rouge in the past.  With another day of action in the ring, let's hope that he is able to secure some more future stars.

I see that former England footballer Michael Owen wants to ride in a charity race next year...personally I would suggest that he keeps putting it back a year.  Every time I think of riding I get a pain in my right wrist!  I broke it on my second day in the saddle, with MCP trying to get me to jump a hurdle.  I must have been either fearless or mad, I think probably the latter!  Don't do it Michael, football is easier!

It is Reg Akehurst's 84th birthday today.  I remember Reg used to be known as a handicap mastermind back during his training career and his gambles very rarely went astray.  I remember playing golf with Reg at Basingstoke...a real character.  Many happy returns Reg!

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Liverpool's Luis Suarez was last night being linked with a move to Arsenal.  I would love to know where these stories come from...everybody knows that Arsenal spent all of their money on the free transfer earlier this week!