Magic Massini's!

What a great weekend for the yard, and a fantastic training performance from David to bring Massini's Maguire back to his best to win the Listed handicap chase on his first outing for the yard after an absence.  Tom Scu produce a great ride to get the nine year old gelding back up again having been headed at the last fence, in the process netting over £56,000 for connections.  Owner Alan Peterson also had a nice winner at Wetherby with Fair Along, so what a great weekend for him.

*****

I think that Richard Hughes has done a fantastic job of getting back into the hunt for the flat jockey's championship.  Following a week long suspension, Hughes has managed to narrow the gap to Paul Hanagan to just three, and with the season now entering the final week it could go down to the wire.  Richard looks to have some strong rides over the next few days, but he is due to leave on Thursday night to ride in the Breeder's Cup at Churchill Downs - if he draws level or even gets himself narrowly in the lead, it will leave him with a real dilemma about where to go.

*****

Last week I was forced to eat my words about lady jockeys by Julie Burke, and I have to concede that she produced another cracking ride aboard Bold Ring to score at Lingfield.  She looked very stylish in the finish, and I was pleased to shout her home as we had tipped the 9/2 winner on Update Line, details of which can be found on the "Pipeline" page, under the news heading of our website.

*****

Finally, there were a few spooky goings on in the neighbouring village of Culmstock last night.  Martin and Carol held a halloween party for the staff at The Ilminster Stage, and the guests turned out in force in fancy dress to celebrate.  There was a best pumpkin competition, as well as skittles...below you will see a few pictures from the evening - some of the staff looked more normal in fancy dress than they do during the week!