Chepstow Double

                Buddy Bolero scores at Chepstow
       (pic by kind permission www.thejockey.co.uk)

It was another good weekend for the stable following two winners at Chepstow on Saturday.  I thought that young Tom Bellamy gave Poole Master a fine ride to get him up close home in the two mile handicap chase from favourite Grey Gold.  He really seems to have come to himself of late and this was a good performance to win from a mark of 139 and he still appears to be on the upgrade.  Meanwhile another of our conditionals, Kieron Edgar gave Buddy Bolero a good ride to win the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier.  Over at Newcastle Consigliere ran another fine race under top weight to finish second in the handicap chase and our spritely veteran showed that he is no back number just yet.

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon - two over jumps at Plumpton and Musselburgh as well as an all-weather flat card at Wolverhampton.  The stable has one runner this afternoon, Virtuel d'Oudon in the bumper at Plumpton.  He makes his debut for the stable having won an Irish point-to-point on yielding/soft ground, so he should certainly appreciate underfoot conditions - he is ridden by stable jockey Tom Scudamore, who also seems to have picked up a good book of outside rides today.

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I see that Nicky Henderson has decided to pull stumps and will not go to the Cheltenham Festival with reigning champion chaser Sprinter Sacre.  The trainer says that he has not been showing the same brilliance at home - it is a real shame as racing needs it's superstars and Sprinter Sacre is certainly one of those.  Having said that, it goes without saying that the horses' welfare should always come first.

New favourite for the Champion Chase Sire de Grugy is going to gallop at Plumpton today - surely Gary Moore's gallop cannot be as bad as the going will be at Plumpton?!  He is going to gallop 1m4f and will be a good draw for people going to the races this afternoon.

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England have drawn Switzerland, San Marino, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia in their 2016 European Cup group.  It sounds more like a Eurovision Song Contest to me...let's hope our boys can hit the high notes!

In domestic action, Cardiff look to be in real trouble as they were slaughtered 4-0 by Hull on Saturday.  Their defence was all over the place and there was no fight in them at all.  I'm afraid the team owner looks clueless as far as football is concerned.

It was a good weekend for the Barnes household with my football treble coming up - at least we can afford to eat for the remainder of the week.  I hope a few of you were on as well?