A Virtuel Winner!

Virtuel d'Oudon (pictured above) kept the good form of the stable going with a hard fought success in the novices' hurdle at Fontwell yesterday afternoon.  He looked set for a comfortable success as he took the favourite's measure turning for home, but he tired between the last two flights of hurdles and clung on bravely to win by a fast diminishing 3/4 length.  On this hurdling debut, he jumped with aplomb and showed great resolution under Conor O'Farrell to maintain his 100% record since arriving at Pond House.  He can only improve with experience and has proved yet another shrewd buy by David.

Over at Chepstow yesterday it looks as though former tennant Neil Mulholland has a nice recruit on his hands in the shape of bumper winner Minella Present.  He scored with any amount in hand and looks a good prospect for owner Lady Clarke.

This afternoon there are four meetings to look forward to with a jumps meeting at one of our local tracks, Exeter and three fixtures on the all-weather flat at Southwell, Lingfield and Kempton.  The stable has three runners at Exeter, Decoy, Off The Wall and The Darling Boy.  The last named has run two solid races since joining the team at Pond House - he was narrowly beaten when runner-up at Bangor before going one better at Taunton last time on heavy ground.  He has won on faster ground in the past and looks sure to go well under Tom Scudamore.

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It is a big day in the office as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of senior secretary Gail Harrison (pictured right) joining the team at Pond House.  Gail has seen a few winners during her time at the stable and I reckon she could write a fantastic book one day.  Thirty years is some achievement, I reckon she deserves a CBE as well as Martin!

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I watched the football match between Manchester City and Manchester United last night and as far as I can tell, the only United player who would get into the City team is Wayne Rooney.  United seem to have completely run out of ideas - Matta and Fellaini look to be panic buys and were both overpriced, while Ferdinand, Jones and Carrick are slow and need to be replaced - I would imagine that manager David Moyes is on a very sticky wicket.  City looked untroubled to win the match 2-0.

Arsenal are another team who seem to have lost the plot as they dropped two points at home to Swansea.

It would appear that Doncaster Rovers made a great signing when One Direction star Louis Tomlinson made his debut for Rovers Reserves last week.  The took £16,000 in gate money - I think I would try to sign all of One Direction and play the lot of them...just imagine how much money the team would make!

Finally, I see that my beloved West Ham are 7/5 chances to beat Hull at Upton Park - they have won their last four matches against Hull and I will be alleviating the bookies of a bit of 7/5!

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