Three Fontwell Runners

Today we have four meetings to look forward to, two on the flat at Newmarket and Kempton as well as jumps cards at Fontwell and Worcester.  The stable has three runners at Fontwell; Jigsaw Puzzle, Decoy and Party Girls all of whom will be ridden by Tom Scudamore.  I thought that Decoy (pictured above) ran a sound race three weeks ago at Sedgefield and this ground should help our seven year old who won on very soft going during his time on the flat in France.  Newmarket's card hosts no less than five two year old races and with the ground currently described as soft, I reckon they will find it very hard work!

Apparently Channel 4 are said to be pleased with the 733,000 viewers for Champions Day last week.  When the meeting was televised on the BBC they had 2.2million viewers...you can put whatever spin you want on it, but I don't think Channel 4 bosses can be happy with those figures.

I see that A P McCoy was on hand to open the revamped bar at Exeter yesterday.  It is appropriately named AP's!  If he was your only customer  you might be in a bit of trouble though as the champion jockey is a non-drinker!  He only needs a couple more winners to reach the ton for the season which is terrific going when you consider that he missed the first month of the season through injury.

Barnstaple trainer Tony Newcombe had a winner at Yarmouth yesterday - it's a long way to go with a runner (a seven hour trip)...I wish I had spotted that one in yesterday's Racing Post.

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It's a shame that Christmas isn't a bit closer as I would be hoping to get Sir Alex Ferguson's book...I normally find that my Christmas books are read first and then given to me as a present!  It's not difficult to believe that Roy Keane intimidated players during his playing days.  I find Keane frightening and if I had to get in a lift with him, I would probably choose to use the stairs instead, although maybe not if it is the Empire State Building!  By the way, Carol normally gives me a book for Christmas...guess who normally reads it first!

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Perhaps Arsenal are not as good as Arsene Wenger thinks they are after their 2-1 defeat by Dortmund.  Sadly I did my money on the Gunners last night and even more foolishly, I backed them again after they had gone 1-0 down!

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Below is another chance to see this week's featured member of staff, jockey Conor O'Farrell give his horse to follow for the winter season...