Laustra Our Only Runner

The stable has one runner at Uttoxeter this afternoon - Laustra Bad runs in the handicap hurdle at 5.15pm.  There are only six runners but it is a tight and competitive little handicap - our ten year old is well treated on some of his old form although he does have ten lengths to make up on recent running with Don't Be Late and is only 7lbs better off.  Laustra Bad (pictured above) has always been a talented horse if a little difficult to predict, but if he can produce one of his better efforts it would be no surprise to see him go close.  There are five other meetings taking place this afternoon, on the flat at Ascot, Thirsk, York, Newmarket and Chepstow.

I did find William Haggas comment quite amusing "Lester is currently busy avoiding people like you" - he was talking about his father-in-law, the great man Lester Piggott.  Lester was in a bar in Deauville at the sales and I was absolutely stunned to see him - he looks exactly the same and after I had a few words with him, I came to the conclusion that he still sounds the same too!

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I see it is Philip Hobbs 58th birthday today.  The west country trainer is also a well-know boat skipper around the Torbay area (see picture, right).  Martin and Carol have been aboard his boat...I wonder what the lifeboat and jackets are like?!  Many happy returns Philip.

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I understand that golfer Ian Poulter was spotted in Woburn Safari Park with his children recently.  I hope he wasn't wearing his usual trousers as he would certainly have scared most of the animals off!

There was a lady spectator who was hit in the face at the Seniors Open and had to be taken to hospital with blood pouring down her face.  It certainly sounded like a lively event with Freddy Couples allegedly telling another woman to be quiet or he would have her 'f**king ejected'...I find it very hard to believe that an old pro like Freddy would say such a thing - it is certainly very disappointing if that is the case.