Doctor's Orders!

How impressive was Doctor Harper at Exeter yesterday?!  Our five year old made a facile winning debut over timber in the novices' hurdle and while it may not have been the best race in the world, he did it in style and looks sure to be able to hold his own in better company.  He is the latest in a seemingly long line of nice young horses that David has at the yard at present.

Above: Doctor Harper makes an impressive hurdling debut at Exeter under Timmy Murphy

How impressive was Doctor Harper at Exeter yesterday?!  Our five year old made a facile winning debut over timber in the novices' hurdle and while it may not have been the best race in the world, he did it in style and looks sure to be able to hold his own in better company.  He is the latest in a seemingly long line of nice young horses that David has at the yard at present.

A P McCoy drew a blank yesterday as he tries to reach the 4,000 winner landmark and he now heads off to Chepstow in search of those final two winners.  Unfortunately he doesn't seem to have great prospects this afternoon so the photographers will continue to follow him around.  I bet he can't wait to get it over and done with, although he has managed to keep smiling for racegoers and media alike.

There was a gamble landed in the first race at Exeter yesterday when Hadden Frost partnered Rydon Dyne to victory in the opening race, narrowly denying McCoy aboard Flemenson, while the disappointment of the day was Cue Card in the Haldon Gold Cup...he doesn't look like a Gold Cup horse to me.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon, two on the flat at Nottingham and Kempton as well as National Hunt cards at Warwick and Chepstow.  The stable has runners at both jumps tracks; Guess Again and Makadamia at Warwick and Qalinas at Chepstow.  Young Anthony Fox takes the ride aboard Qalinas at Chepstow and he claims a handy 10lbs off our grey gelding's back.  He has won on the ground but is still some 9lbs higher than his highest winning mark of 114 so the jockey's claim will certainly help.

Below is another opportunity to watch amateur jockey Sam Welton's video interview with Mike Vince, enjoy...

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I wouldn't want to argue with the new managers of Ireland's national football team - Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane!  Can you imagine Martin saying 'go and have a quiet word with Roy'?!

Dortmund versus Arsenal tonight at 7.45pm on Sky Sports means that my evening's entertainment is taken care of...I wonder what Mrs Barnes will be doing?

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Finally, it was good to see England cricket captain Alastair Cook find a bit of form ahead of the Winter Ashes Series as he hit a century in a warm-up match against Australia 'A'.