Hunter's Sedgefield Success

The yard enjoyed another winner yesterday when Heath Hunter landed the conditional jockeys' novices' hurdle at Sedgefield under young Tom Bellamy.  It was Tom's first winner since April following his long spell on the sidelines with injury.  Our six year old gelding won with a bit in hand, jumping well and probably idling somewhat on the run-in.  He seems to have a really good attitude towards his work and is another nice prospect for the yard.  Our other runner yesterday Ainsi Fideles appeared very unlucky as he looked all over the winner until capsizing at the penultimate hurdle.  I am sure there will be other opportunities for him.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with two on the level at Lingfield and Kempton as well as two jumps cards at Fontwell and Wetherby.  The stable has one runner, Makadamia in the mares' bumper at Wetherby.  Tom Scudamore takes over on board our four year old (pictured above, nearside) who was only narrowly beaten at Warwick on her racecourse debut - she looks to hold solid claims again this afternoon.  Meanwhile champion jockey A P McCoy has a couple of good looking rides at Fontwell, while it will be interesting to see how Donald McCain's unbeaten bumper horse Diamond King gets on at Wetherby on his hurdling debut.

Apparently one of the racecourse photographers had a £1 accumulator on David's four winners at the Cheltenham Open Meeting, landing the happy snapper a handy £5,995.  I bet as Red Sherlock came up the home straight, his pictures started getting a little blurred with his hands shaking!  I wonder what he has done with that lucky pin.

*****

Once again Arsenal looked rock solid as they beat Marseille 2-0 in the Champions League.  I hate to admit it, but they do look like a good team and are making fewer mistakes than their opponents.  Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Basel and they made plenty of mistakes.  Arsenal really are in a rich vein of form at present.

*****

Surely Andy Murray is a certainty for Sports Personality Of The Year?  The final ten were announced yesterday and I was pleased to see A P McCoy included in the list - he should be the main danger with his 4,000 winners and 18 championships, but  how often does a British man win Wimbledon?