Gold Standard At Leicester!

The stable enjoyed a nice winner at Leicester yesterday when Legacy Gold won the mares' National Hunt novices' hurdle with the minimum of fuss.  Tom Scudamore should be embarrassed to claim his riding fee, such was the manner of victory!  I would imagine that David will be stepping her up in class now following her fifth win from six starts.  I would suggest keeping an eye out for the runner-up Run Ructions Run - a mark of 114 looks potentially lenient if she is turned out in a handicap before the official assessor gets a chance to have another look at her.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon - two over the sticks at Catterick and Southwell as well as all-weather flat meetings at Lingfield and Kempton.  The London track hosts an eight race card today, yet there is only £31,000 up for grabs across the entire meeting.  In fact, there is one race that is worth £1,617.25 and even more amazingly, it has attracted twelve runners!  It's a class 7 handicap (I didn't realise they went down that far!)...if these courses can get away with it, they will.

We have one runner today, Shotavodka (pictured left) who has travelled all the way up to Catterick to make his chasing debut in the 2m3f beginners' chase.  Shotavodka was a decent novice over hurdles last season, winning three times and achieving a rating in the 140's - he has schooled well over the larger obstacles and should certainly be winning his share of races in this sphere.  This looks a trappy little contest however, with Cheltenham Festival winner Holywell in opposition - he is yet to reproduce his hurdle form over fences, but still looks to be the one we have to beat

There is also some fair jumping action at Southwell and I have a couple of fancies there - Jaunty Journey in the 12.50pm race is partnered by Big Buck's new jockey Sam Twiston-Davies and should take plenty of beating, while in the 1.20pm race Decent Lord looks to have leading claims under Sean Quinlan.

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It would seem that we have a celebrity in our midst.  I was listening to Heart FM on the radio this morning when I heard the dulcit tones of a member of our staff on the airwaves.  Jules Shergold (pictured right) had replied to their question, 'Who would you rather spend two hours in a lift with - John McCririck or Anne Widdecombe?'  Jules plumped for the latter as a couple of hours in the company of Big Mac would ruin her day...sensible girl!

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I see that Sheik Al Thani and six of his trainers have committed to run in this year's Virgin Money London Marathon.  Personally, I just think they need committing!  I am not sure that young Richard Hannon looks like a marathon runner to me...if I had to have a bet on them, I would probably side with Andrew Balding.  The rest of them look as though they might just need the run to put them straight!  There could be quite a few pulled up before the finish...

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I was amazed to read the revelationary headlines in one of the tabloids this morning that this England cricket team could be one of the worst ever.  What do they mean 'could be'?  As far as I am concerned it is without any doubt - if they lose the fourth one day match, they will have lost ten consecutive matches - that has only ever been achieved before in 1993 and 2001.  I could be talking through my pocket, but some major changes need to be made.

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My embarrassment was complete last night after Manchester City disposed of my beloved West Ham 3-0 in the second leg of their Capital One Cup encounter (making it 9-0 on aggregate).  It was only £1 for children to attend last night, but even that was 100 pence too much!  Only 14,390 people turned up for the game and if I was on the board I would be inclined to forget about the Olympic stadium idea - you would have to shout to talk to the nearest supporter...it would be that deserted!