News From The Gallops

I thought that Shotavodka ran a cracking good race at Newbury on Saturday in the handicap hurdle under a fine ride from young conditional jockey Kieron Edgar.  He was trying to give the winner 3lbs and was beaten only 2 1/2 lengths.  I hope the handicapper does not over react to this performance as he did have the run of the race - if he receives a sensible mark, there could be a nice handicap in him.  Our Father plugged on to finish seventh in the Hennessy, looking like a Grand National type to me, while Consigliere passed a few beaten horses to finish sixth and pick up a bit of prize money in the 2m1f handicap chase - he could probably do with softer ground and a bit of respite from the assessor.

I thought that Shotavodka ran a cracking good race at Newbury on Saturday in the handicap hurdle under a fine ride from young conditional jockey Kieron Edgar.  He was trying to give the winner 3lbs and was beaten only 2 1/2 lengths.  I hope the handicapper does not over react to this performance as he did have the run of the race - if he receives a sensible mark, there could be a nice handicap in him.  Our Father plugged on to finish seventh in the Hennessy, looking like a Grand National type to me, while Consigliere passed a few beaten horses to finish sixth and pick up a bit of prize money in the 2m1f handicap chase - he could probably do with softer ground and a bit of respite from the assessor.

There is a National Hunt card to look forward to at Plumpton this afternoon as well as a couple of all-weather flat meetings at Kempton and Wolverhampton.  The jumps card offers some very good prize money - indeed, two of the races are worth £7,000 and £8,000...not bad at all for a Monday afternoon in Sussex!  The stable has no runners today.

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Above (l-r): Legacy Gold and Baltimore Rock on the Pond House gallops

Above we have a nice photograph from the gallops - pictured is multiple bumper winner Legacy Gold who was working in company with Baltimore Rock. Baltimore Rock was also a useful performer in that sphere, although his attention is soon to be turned to timber as he is entered in a couple of hurdle races over the next few days.

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It wasn't a good weekend for the Scouser's as Liverpool looked terrible against Hull.  They certainly will not be winning the Premiership by dropping points to a team like Hull.  I see that the manager commented that his sqaud is too small...why not just man up and admit that they were outplayed by the Tigers?  Manchester United are also dropping too many points so it is Arsenal and Manchester City fighting it out for my money.  If City's away form wasn't so bad, they would already have the title wrapped up!

Fulham manager Martin Jol was shown the door at the weekend after they lost 3-0 at Upton Park - sadly for them, there are just too many old players at Fulham at present.

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I watched the Tony Bellew World Title fight against Adonis Stevenson and in fairness Bellew was man enough to admit that the better fighter had won.

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There was a great win for Rory McIlroy in Australia so it illustrates perfectly that long legged blondes and golf do not go hand in hand.  It was McIlroy's first success of the season following a dip in form which just so happened to coincide with his relationship with former world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.