Taunton & Worcester Runners

Today we have four meetings taking place with two on the level at Nottingham and Kempton as well as jumps fixtures from Taunton and Worcester.  The stable has a pair of runners at each National Hunt meeting - Smiles For Miles and Bengali run at Worcester while Houston Dynimo and A Hairy Koala take part at Taunton.  Bengali (pictured above) was the very impressive winner of a mares' bumper at Sedgefield on her racecourse debut, winning with her head in her chest.  Although this looks like quite a competitive race for it's type, she will have learned plenty from her first start and another big run is expected.

I thought that For 'N' Against ran a cracking first run under rules to finish second in the bumper at Ffos Las.  They tell me that the winner is a very good bumper winner, while connections went to the lengths of bringing Paul Carberry over from Ireland to ride it.  He should certainly follow-up and I would be surprised if For 'N' Against were not able to win a bumper.  He will not always bump into one of the calibre of the winner.

It was a productive day at the Newmarket Sales yesterday for David as he picked up two new recruits.  Perspicace and Race To Glory look like nice types and I believe they are both for sale, so get in touch with our office if you are interested in a couple of prospective young jumpers for the season ahead.

Talking of the Newmarket Sales, I was done up like a kipper yesterday when we landed at the July course.  A taxi had been put on for our arrival,but when we got in the car all I could see of the driver was the back of his head - he was wearing a balaclava, a scarf and a hat - he told me he was from Cyprus and spoke with a strange accent.  He looked more like a bank robber than a cabbie and kept trying to take us to the pub instead of the sales and told us that we could pay him when he dropped us off back after the sales.   Of course, I fell for the whole thing hook, line and sinker and it took me a while when we got back in the taxi after the sales to recognise who the now unveiled driver was...it was racing legend Barney Curley (pictured right)!  Barney said it was one of the best set-up's he has carried out in years.  David and MCP knew all about it...well done chaps!