Outstanding Ovation!

What a fantastic performance from Standing Ovation to land the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton on Saturday.  David has now won the race three times in the last six years following the successes of Abragante and The Package and our fast improving six year old put up his most impressive performance to date in landing this Listed contest from a mark of 120 under Conor O'Farrell.  He is in an amateur riders' race at Cheltenham on Friday and he could run there - I bet Conor (who has been aboard for his four successes) was crying when he heard that news!  Of our other runners, I thought that Heath Hunter ran well on his hurdling debut to finish second and he looks a sure-fire future winner to me.

Melodic Rendezvous was an impressive winner of the Elite Hurdle at the Somerset track on his first outing of the season despite his trainer saying that he will improve for the outing.  To be honest with you, I don't see why horses should really need a run these days with all of the aids available to trainers - all weather gallops, swimming pools etc.  They can do enough work at home unless they have had a problem.

*****

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with two over the sticks at Carlisle and Southwell and an all-weather flat card at Kempton.  The stable has one runner, Buddy Bolero in the graduation chase at Carlisle.  He takes on Grand National runner-up Cappa Bleu - it is a race restricted to horses that have not won more than two races over fences and it is incredible to think that Evan Williams' eleven year old despite having won at the Cheltenham Festival and been placed in two Grand Nationals has not won more often.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle aboard Buddy Bolero and it should certainly be an interesting contest.  The ground is currently being given as heavy and Carlisle is one of the stiffest tracks in the country - I would imagine that the runners at today's meeting will be strung out like washing come the closing stages.

Today we have the next installment of our staff video interviews and the star is a face I am sure many of you are familiar with; Travelling Head Lad Craig Wylie.  Craig has been with us for many years and is one of the more 'colourful' members of staff...if there is anything you need, Craig can probably get it!  He is a good judge however, so let's hope that he is able to point us in the direction of a winner...

Craig Wylie Horse To Follow 2013/14

*****

Apparently former jump jockeys turned flat pilots Graham Lee and Jim Crowley have no regrets about missing out on riding 100 winners during the course of the flat season despite both finishing on 99.  Come on lads - who wouldn't have liked one hundred winners?  It is like a cricketer getting out on 99 - a ton sounds so much better!

*****

It was an interesting weekend in the Premiership with Manchester City managing to lose - they do not look like champions in waiting to me.  Chelsea were lucky to get a point while Tony Lomas and Eddie Buckley will both be grateful that I tipped up Arsenal to beat Manchester United!  It's early days but it looks like a fight between Arsenal, United and Liverpool for the Premiership.

*****

Victor Dubuison was able to withstand the pressure of winning his first tournament by landing the Turkish Open golf at the weekend and claim the £700,000 first prize.  He shot a final round of 69 to finish 24 under par.  Meanwhile Tiger Woods finished in a share of third place, but after his appearance money, I expect he took home more than the winner!