Independence Day?

Today we have four meetings taking place and once again, you are out of luck if you are a fan of National Hunt racing.  The flat action comes from Ayr, Yarmouth, Pontefract and Kempton and unsurprisingly the stable has no runners.

I thought that Katie Walsh was superb yesterday to win the Kerry National at Listowel aboard 25/1 shot Your Busy.  The eleven year old did not jump the best but Katie kept him in the race and made nearly all to pick up the first prize of £96,000 - very well done to her and all the connections.  Meanwhile Tom Scu was out of luck with his mount for Lucinda Russell, Tap Night disappointing in rear.

Today we have four meetings taking place and once again, you are out of luck if you are a fan of National Hunt racing.  The flat action comes from Ayr, Yarmouth, Pontefract and Kempton and unsurprisingly the stable has no runners.

I thought that Katie Walsh was superb yesterday to win the Kerry National at Listowel aboard 25/1 shot Your Busy.  The eleven year old did not jump the best but Katie kept him in the race and made nearly all to pick up the first prize of £96,000 - very well done to her and all the connections.  Meanwhile Tom Scu was out of luck with his mount for Lucinda Russell, Tap Night disappointing in rear.

It sounds as though jockey Richie McGrath is in big trouble with the BHA investigating no less than 57 of his rides.  Let's hope that everything is resolved quickly one way or the other - this sort of publicity does racing no good whatsoever.

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This morning I am pleased to share a photograph of a couple of nice unraced youngsters that are currently residing at Pond House.  The grey pictured on the near side is Kalifourchon (David Smalle), while on the far side George Herbert is partnered by Eleri Apps - they both worked nicely upsides and you should be seeing them in some racecourse action this winter.

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If Scotland vote for independence today I wonder what will happen to all the Scottish race tracks?  Who will look after them?  Will the prize money be in Euros?  So many questions to be answered - there will be plenty of admin work to be done if they choose to go their own way.  Personally I think it would be a shame if we didn't stick together.

I see the Racing Post are talking about how some sports personalities handle criticism - personally I think that if you dish it out, you must be able to take it in return.  There are some quotes from controversial Attheraces pundit Matt Chapman, now the orange man is very good at dishing it out but in fairness, he can take it as well.  He has made a number of visits to our Cheltenham Festival marquee in the past and we give him no end of stick, it is all in jest however (most of the time!).

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It is former owner and England goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton's 65th birthday today.  He had a few decent horses with Martin down the years including Wingspan and Catch The Cross - the latter is an excellent name for a goalie!  Many happy returns Shilts.

Manchester City were done in the last minute by Bayern Munich last night.  The German team scored with a deflected shot and it's not often that I feel to sorry for a team like City but they can truly feel hard done by this morning.  Joe Hart was City's best player and had a great game in goal.

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