McCoy in Final Ten!

Looking through the nominations for Sports Personality of the Year award, I was delighted to see that A P McCoy has made it through to the final ten.  In my opinion, the only people that can vaguely claim to be anywhere near McCoy's level of achievement are Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Amy Williams (who won the skeleton at the Winter Olympics) and Jessica Ennis (Olympic Heptathlon winner) - and frankly I cannot believe that any of them would claim to be in McCoy's league.  In terms of records, darts player Phil "The Power" Taylor is the only one that can compete, but throwing "arrers" at a board surely doesn't compare with hurling yourself over fences on horseback at forty miles per hour?!  If McCoy doesn't win Sports Personality of the Year this time around, I think it is fair to say that no racing personality will ever win it.

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There is a great picture on the front of today's Racing Post - it shows the amateur jockeys on their way to the start for the first race at Folkestone yesterday in the middle of a heavy snow storm.  The meeting was finally abandoned when the runners reached the start - all I can say is that it is lucky that we have all-weather racing!  If you phoned the Pipeline yesterday you would have been put in the direction of three winners from four selections at prices of 3/1, 7/2 and 5/1 - life's not all bad on the all-weather!  To benefit from this great information, simply call 0900 3900 900 from 8am (calls charged at 60p per minute at all times, helpline 01884 840715).

It certainly looks like we are going to struggle for National Hunt racing this week with several meetings already abandoned.  According to a farmer mate of mine, this cold snap is in for about ten days - he just sticks a couple of fingers out of his front door and he's normally right - mind you, he's got no friends!

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Talking of National Hunt racing, Saturday's Newbury fixture was an excellent meeting and both David and Martin went along.  Martin spotted Ruby Walsh who was doing a bit of commentary work alongside the Channel 4 Racing team.  Ruby is currently out with a double fracture to his leg, but he seemed to be in good spirits and we hope that he continues to make a speedy recovery.