Racing Rejoices For AP!

As it was AP polled an impressive 41% of the vote, and my hat goes off to all those involved in the industry who have helped to push for this.  I can think of no more worthy winner and I wish that I could have been there to see him collect the award personally - sadly adverse weather conditions meant that the trip up to Birmingham was almost impossible.  There was plenty of glamour on the night - AP was joined by his wife Channelle, while David and Victoria Beckham were also present to see David presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Even allowing for the near Arctic conditions outside, I was amazed to see many members of staff braving the elements to come to work this morning.  I understand from one that what would normally be a twenty minute journey home became a two and a half hour war of attrition!

This morning we made entries for Boxing Day (even though any racing is seeming very optimisitic at present) and we have engagements at no less than five meetings - Fontwell, Towcester, Wetherby, Wincanton and Kempton.  The feature race is of course the King George at the last named meeting and we have left Madison du Berlais in at the confirmation stage.  Madison picked up good prize money for finishing runner-up in the race and we will be hoping for another bold showing from him this year.

I was thrilled with the performance of Dan Breen last week when he bolted up at Bangor on his second chase start under Tom Scudamore.  He beat some useful types and jumped beautifully barring a bad mistake at the last that had my heart in my mouth.  He was a good hurdler last season and the signs are encouraging that he will be at least as effective over the bigger obstacles.