Unlucky Yesterday

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon - two jumps cards at Ludlow and Chepstow as well as two all-weather flat meetings at Wolverhampton and Kempton.  Ludlow has managed to put up £52,000 in prize money which I reckon is a pretty good effort for a small track on a Thursday afternoon, so well done to them.  The stable has one runner this afternoon as Makadamia (pictured above left) makes her hurdling debut in the 2.00pm at Chepstow.  She boasts some decent form, most notably when finishing runner-up in a big field Warwick bumper on her racecourse debut and if she takes to jumping she could go well under Tom Scudamore.

The stable runners were a little unlucky yesterday afternoon with both Top Gamble and Count Danilo falling in the home straight with their respective races seemingly at their mercy at Haydock.  I thought that Weather Babe ran creditable enough to finish fourth at Warwick, although she remains a stone above her last winning mark and my suspicion is that she could do with a little help from the handicapper.

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There was bad news for the bookmakers in the budget yesterday as the rate of duty of FOBT machines was raised from 20% to 25%.  I don't suppose it will make much difference people will carry on losing their money on them.  If you ever go into a betting shop, take a look at those poor people playing the machines, they certainly get addicted.  They tell me that it is the machines that keep the shops open nowadays, so surely that means that the majority of punters are going to do their money?  The two shops in Brixham are always nearly empty with the exception of people playing the machines - personally I would ban them completely.

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I see that Lars Kelp is 50 today.  Lars (pictured right) used to work in the yard and I use the word 'work' very loosely!  Lars was a good Swedish jockey who certainly knew the time of day.  He has worked as a bloodstock agent since quitting the saddle.  Many happy returns Lars.

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Congratulations to A P McCoy who once again reached the 200 winner landmark yesterday - that is his remarkable eighth double century.  Just think back to 2001/2 when he rode 289 winners - I think that is a record that will stand for a long, long time.  Not only do you have to keep riding the winners, you have to remain injury free.

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I must be going soft in my old age - I am feeling so sorry for David Moyes and Manchester United that I was pleased to see them beat Olympiakos 3-0 last night.  Moyes says that they can go all the way and win the Champions League, although I think he is getting a little carried away after last night's victory.  David De Gea seems to be a much improved player - he's the United goalkeeper, mind you he gets plenty of practice...I can expect another e-mail from Tony after that one!

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