A Standing Ovation!

The stable had a nice winner yesterday afternoon at Exeter when Standing Ovation landed the three mile handicap chase in determined fashion in the famous colours of the late David Johnson.  He was given a tremendous ride from Conor O'Farrell who never gave up on the six year old, pushing along from an early stage - he threw him at the last fence and hung on up the run-in to score by a neck.  There is another local meeting this afternoon at Newton Abbot as well as another jumps card at Carlisle and two meetings on the level at York and Wolverhampton.  Newton Abbot have once again done a tremendous job in securing £50,000 in prize money, whereas Wolverhampton offer up £29,000...I will say no more.

The stable had a nice winner yesterday afternoon at Exeter when Standing Ovation landed the three mile handicap chase in determined fashion in the famous colours of the late David Johnson.  He was given a tremendous ride from Conor O'Farrell who never gave up on the six year old, pushing along from an early stage - he threw him at the last fence and hung on up the run-in to score by a neck.  There is another local meeting this afternoon at Newton Abbot as well as another jumps card at Carlisle and two meetings on the level at York and Wolverhampton.  Newton Abbot have once again done a tremendous job in securing £50,000 in prize money, whereas Wolverhampton offer up £29,000...I will say no more.

It is a big weekend for the flat trainers' championship with less than £500,000 between Richard Hannon and Aidan O'Brien and plenty of money up for grabs.  Even so, Hannon has trained 208 more winners in this country than O'Brien - personally I believe the championship should be decided by the number of winners trained, wouldn't you agree?

I love the picture that David has on his blog this week of secretary Gail Harrison at Uttoxeter races on Sunday.  Unbeknown to Gail, the racecourse was holding a James Bond themed day and a few notable characters from the film including Jaws and Oddjob were in attendance.  Anyway, below is the picture of Gail with Richard Kiel (Jaws)...I wonder if he took her out for a bite?!

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The little cricket master Sachin Tendulkar retires next month.  He is without a doubt the biggest sports star ever to come out of India - when he is batting the whole country comes to a halt and watches or listens.  It is a bit like the Melbourne Cup in Australia where 1.5 billion (that is billion and not million) stop to watch or listen to the big event.  It is surely a great loss to the Indians, although he would probably end up as their Prime Minister!

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There is a big match on tonight at 8pm as England take on Montenegro in another World Cup qualifier.  The opposition has five players missing and the bookmakers make the home side 4/11 shots...let's hope they are right!

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David is off playing golf this morning although I am not sure that it is golfing weather - it is certainly blustery enough.  Anyway, I am sure he will be able to identify with the wise and holy words of the Reverand Billy Graham 'I never pray on the golf course.  The Lord answers my prayers everywhere except on the course!'