Azza On The Mark!

The stable was on the mark last night as Azza (pictured above) made a successful transition to fences in the beginners' chase at Uttoxeter.  Our former Listed hurdle winner had schooled well at home and while she was entitled to win on the best of her form over timber, you can only beat what is put in front of you.  Azza is not very big but she is very agile and athletic and jumped these testing fences very well and looks capable of winning again and could hold her own in stronger company too.

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with three on the flat at Goodwood, Yarmouth and Beverley as well as National Hunt action from Perth and Worcester.  We run Weather Babe in the 8.50pm at Worcester and she is bidding to follow-up her course win last time out.  She stays this longer trip very well and despite the fact that she is 7lbs higher this evening another big run is expected with Conor O'Farrell taking over on board.  Meanwhile Tom Scudamore is aboard His Excellency in the three mile handicap chase at Perth.  The stable has two runners there over the next couple of days and His Excellency has the talent to be involved in the finish if producing his best.  Third in the 2013 Arkle, he hasn't been this far on a racecourse before, although he looked a likely stayer when second over 2m7f last time.

It is difficult to believe when you consider just how nice the weather has been in the west country, but there has been some serious rainfall near London.  Last night's meeting at Windsor was officially run on good/soft (soft in places) ground - the going at Bath last week was officially firm!

It is the first day of the Glorious Goodwood meeting today and there is some excellent racing to look forward to.  Champion jockey Richard Hughes is something of a standing dish around here and seems to ride the course better than anyone else - hardly original, but I would expect him to take all the beating in the top rider at the meeting betting.  I used to go to Goodwood quite a lot when Martin was training, he would often have one that was expected to run well.  The Sussex track is certainly worth a visit, especially if the weather is good.

Many happy returns to owner Terry Neill.  Terry has had horses with us for many years and has had plenty of cracking good ones too!  He's a lovely bloke, the only trouble is that he is a Liverpool supporter!

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There was an unusual occurence yesterday - a good day for the England cricket team!  All they have to do now is bowl India out twice on a very flat pitch to get a result!  I have often wondered why Test matches are restricted to five days and not played until there is a result either day.  I suppose that is because with pitches like this one, the match could go on for about ten days!  Does anyone know if they have ever played longer than five days?

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The exodus from Southampton football club continues.  They have now had five players leave during the off-season and if you were a supporter, you would be feeling really let down.  They could really struggle this season along with the likes of QPR.

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Finally, just a thought to keep you in a positive frame of mind...if you are having a bad day, just remember that there are people out there with their exes names tattooed on them!  Keep smiling!

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