Happy Birthday Lester

One of my great hero's, the legend Lester Piggott is 75 years old today and he doesn't look any older now than he did when he was riding.  Indeed, with the Breeder's Cup taking place this weekend, it reminds me that it is 20 years since his memorable success in the Breeders Cup at Belmont Park aboard the Vincent O'Brien trained Royal Academy.  Lester also rode winners for Martin on the flat, and the old maestro even suggested that MCP move to Newmarket to train on the flat.  There is very little that Lester didn't achieve during his time in the saddle, and he even rode a Cheltenham Festival winner when he landed the Triumph Hurdle aboard Prince Charlemagne in 1954.

Talking of the Breeder's Cup, I will be watching from the comfort of my armchair as the first day is covered by Attheraces tonight.  Hopefully they will have put sufficient water on the ground to ensure that the big European challengers will take their place in the line-up.  I will certainly be cheering for the Henry Cecil trained filly Midday, who is bidding to follow-up last season's success in the Filly & Mare Turf and cap a wonderful season for the great man.

Following a double for both of the protagonists in the flat jockey's championship, Paul Hanagan would once again appear to have one hand on the title as he preserved his two winner lead with just two days of the season left to go.  With eleven booked rides today, Hanagan is at a definite advantage with Richard Hughes having only three mounts at Wolverhampton tonight.

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I see Tom Scudamore's Charity 10 To Follow appears in today's Racing Post.  He goes for three Pond House inmates in Great Endeavour, Madison du Berlais and Notus de la Tour, with the list completed by Big Bucks, Celestial Halo, Cue Card, Hey Big Spender, Kauto Star, Overturn and Pedler's Cross.  I will watch with interest to see how he gets on!

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Finally, I have another picture from the gallops.  Sadly the weather has taken a turn for the worse since the photograph was taken, just in time for bonfire night - anyway, whatever you are doing tonight, I hope you have a cracker!

(l-r) Laustra Bad and by Bollin Eric