Kean Collects at Ludlow

I thought that Edmund Kean (pictured above) did well to keep his unbeaten chasing record intact at Ludlow yesterday when conceding 7lbs to The Romford Pele.  There wasn't an awful lot in it at the line but he was having to do his own donkey work as Tom Scu was conscious not to let this become a tactical affair.  He is clearly on the upgrade and I thought this was a decent performance - he jumped well in the main and there could be even better to come on a left-handed galloping track.

Today we have three meetings to look forward to with jumps cards at Huntingdon and Doncaster as well as an all-weather flat meeting at Wolverhampton.  The stable has one runner at Huntingdon, Prideofthecastle (pictured right).  He did win on heavy ground in a Limerick bumper so he should have no difficulty handling the prevailing conditions.  He makes his handicap debut this afternoon from a mark of 124 and he will be partnered by stable jockey Tom Scudamore.

Looking through the results at Carlisle yesterday afternoon, it was a good day for our jockeys with both Kieron Edgar (Truckers Darling) and Conor O'Farrell (Twoways) winning aboard outside rides.  Their motto's should be 'have saddle, will travel'.  Kieron only has one more winner to go before his claim reduces from 7lbs to 5lbs.

Talking of Pond House jockey's, I see that it is former Cheltenham Festival winning rider Rodi Greene's 44th birthday today.  At his age you think he would know better than to try to cycle the length of the country in record time!  I guess it just shows that you do have to be a little bit mad to be a jockey!

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The sport of darts is getting bigger and bigger and I am not just talking about the players!  The crowd really seem to love getting involved, dressing up in all sorts of crazy outfits.  Phil 'The Power' Taylor has been on a strict diet and has been laying off the booze - he obviously means business...a darts event with no alcohol, whatever next?!

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I see that baboons have stolen Chris Froome's protein shakes!  The Tour de France winning cyclist is in South Africa on a training camp.  I bet those baboons will be able to swing for hours and I'm not monkeying around!

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Well, it cost Swansea £5million to get rid of their manager who was doing a good job.  Michael Laudrup won't mind too much - a nice golden handshake and he will get another top job when he is ready...lovely jubbly!

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Finally it was nice to hear from one of our old Martin Pipe Racing Club members yesterday.  Bob Felce, who now lives in Cornwall where the storms seem to have been taking their toll was recalling some fond memories of Sweet Glow winning a Cheltenham handicap hurdle in 1991.  It would seem that we all profited by a few quid on the day, although we had a few anxious moments as we were waiting on the result of a stewards enquiry...happy days!  Anyway, it is always great to hear some of the tales from the Club days.