England Lose French Friendly

I cannot believe how bad the English were against the French last night as they lost their friendly 2-1...moreover, I don't know why I am surprised!  I thought that Andy Carroll looked good on his first start for England, but the problem as far as I see it is...you have a big, old fashioned centre forward who is very good in the air, the only trouble is you have no-one who his able to cross a ball for him to head!...maybe David Beckham was better than I gave him credit for.  The French looked to be a class apart with their slick passing game, or maybe, just maybe our footballers are not as good as we (or they!) think they are?!  I see that Bet365 make the Newcastle striker a 7/2 shot to start for England in 2012 European Cup - those odds look fair enough to me, all we have to do now is keep him out of nightclubs!

*****

I was saddened to hear that trainer Frank Jordan passed away last night at the age of 61.  Frank was a smashing man who used to come down to Churston golf club with a group of his mates when they were on tour in Devon.  Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

*****

I see that actor and friend of Pond House Nathaniel Parker (of Inspector Lynley fame) was in attendance at the Cartier Awards.  He was dressed all in black (including a black shirt) - there are ten pictures from the event and all of the men have white shirts on - maybe Nat dressed in the dark?!  I'm only joking Nat, but it's all fair play - he has had a snipe at me on his website before so I guess we are quits!  Nathaniel is a lovely chap, and he joins us in our Cheltenham Festival hospitality marquee each year and shares his expertise with us and our guests and I have to be honest, he really does know his stuff about racing.

*****

Racing fans should tune their stereos into Radio 5 tonight between 9pm and 10pm.  There will be a tribute to A P McCoy which features the great man alongside Mick Fitzgerald, Cornelius Lysaught and MCP - it should be interesting so make sure to listen in!  I also notice that the MP's have got hold of the campaign for A P McCoy for Sports Personality of the Year now - a number of our constitutional representatives have signed a petition lobbying for his recognition - Sorry A P, but that's probably any chance that you did have of winning gone!

*****

Finally I have some pictures from this morning's schooling session to share with you.  Firstly there is a shot of Laustra Bad schooling over a new style hurdle, while Spanish Cruise schooled over brush hurdles.

  
Above left: Laustra Bad, and right: Spanish Cruise schooling this morning

The schoolers make their way back down the gallops