Bill Ends Week On Winner

Earlier on the Wincanton card, Swing Bill had produced a spring heeled display to land the veteran’s handicap chase with the minimum of fuss under Timmy Murphy. It was good to see him gain just reward for his consistency this season and it complimented his win at Newton Abbot during the summer months. He is fantastic old boy and doesn’t have that many miles on the clock, so hopefully he will be winning again before too long.

Before racing had even got underway I had already conducted an interview with Channel 4. To be honest, I was quite impressed that the technology worked on the Morning Line when I was interviewed in the comfort of my own office via webcam. Having seen their attempt to interview Nigel Twiston-Davies a few weeks ago, I must confess to being a little apprehensive. However things seemed to go smoothly enough (for a change!).

We have had a couple of weeks rest from Cheltenham Festival entries, but things will get busy again tomorrow (Tuesday) when we will be making entries for the Festival handicaps as well as the Racing Post Chase at Kempton. Don’t forget to check back here to find out the latest news and the Pond House contenders.

Talking of Cheltenham, my diary starts to get particularly chaotic around now. I have committed to five Cheltenham Festival preview nights, the first of which is on Thursday at Exeter racecourse. I will be joined on the panel by Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs and Nick Williams so it should certainly be an informative evening. If you would like to attend, contact the racecourse – tickets are £20 each and include a hot supper.

Following hot on the heels of the Festival comes the Grand National and I was present at the launch of the weights on Tuesday. It was unsurprising to see senior handicapper Phil Smith compress the weights and leave both last year’s winner Don’t Push It and Neptune Collonges “well-in” on 11-10. Sadly none of my six entries are as well treated, however I cannot argue with Comply Or Die’s mark of 144 which will give him 10-8 (remember he won from 10-9 in 2008 and carried considerably more to finish second in 2009). My other entries, Or Noir de Somoza was allotted 11-5, I’msingingtheblues 10-11, Piraya 10-4, Faasel 10-1 and Junior 9-12.

I can’t believe I am talking about the Grand National already…where does the time go?