Two Runners at Worcester

Today there are five meetings - four on the flat at Catterick, Lingfield, Sandown and Leicester as well as a jumps card at Worcester.  The stable has a couple of runners at the National Hunt fixture, Royal Peak and Standing Ovation.  Both are shorter in the markets than I would have expected, indeed Standing Ovation (pictured above) is the 7/4 favourite according to today's Racing Post.  Having said that, he did run by far his most promising race at Newton Abbot last time out and this does seem to be a weak looking 0-95 handicap chase.  Conor O'Farrell takes the ride aboard him.

Both of our runners yesterday finished fourth - the ground at Southwell changed quite dramatically following some heavy rain showers and the going that had been good changed to soft after the first race.  This certainly didn't seem to suit Darcey Diva and there will be other days for her on better ground.

I see that conditional jockey Thomas Doran has been handed a fifty day ban following his ride aboard an alleged non-trier at Ballinrobe.  I have seen the race and it did look terrible - he said that he gave the horse too much to do.  If he had made his effort earlier it would certainly have won.  Trainer James Nash said that he was disappointed by the ride - normally trainers make up some excuse to help his jockey out...or so I am told!

Talking of jockeys, I see that Mark Perrett is 51 today.  Mark was a great jump jockey and rode plenty of winners for Martin, including the Scottish Grand National aboard Run For Free.  Run For Free was a very talented horse but a very tricky ride - I still remember him being tailed off throughout the Scottish National before finaly consenting to run on and get his nose in front close home under a fine ride.  Mark also won at Royal Ascot for MCP - I don't suppose there are many jockeys who win at Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival.  Anyway, many happy returns Mark.

While I am on the subject of birthdays, I would just like to wish a very happy birthday to Graham Bussell.  Graham (pictured right) reads all the latest news from the website everyday (he's probably the only one!).  Contrary to the number on his shirt, Graham is not 58 but is 34 today.  Many happy returns to him - it is good to know there are some people out there who still enjoy fine literature!

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Arsenal have had a good whip around and bid £40,000,000 for Luis Suarez.  The question I ask, is why would you want to leave Liverpool to play for Arsenal?

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My daily newspaper has eleven pages dedicated to the Royal baby.  I may be a killjoy, but am I the only one that thinks this is over the top?  You would have thought that they would have come up with a name by now...personally I like the sound of Chester!