- Thursday, 07 August 2014 06:40
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Day four of our summer sabbatical and this afternoon we have six meetings to look forward to from Brighton, Haydock, Yarmouth, Sandown, Newcastle and Southwell. Today's wooden spoon goes to Southwell who have just £28,000 in prize money for their seven race card. To further highlight the difference between the two countries, over in Ireland Leopardstown are putting up £134,000 in prize money while even their jumps card at Sligo is worth £75,000. If you finish fourth at Southwell this afternoon the owners can expect to pick up the princely sum £144...I don't think that will cover too many people's expenses!
- Wednesday, 06 August 2014 06:45
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Well, it's now day three of our summer sabbatical and I am now desperately missing my jumps action. There are four meetings taking place on the level from Brighton, Kempton, Pontefract and Yarmouth and while there are a few competitive handicaps it isn't exactly an inspiring days racing. That is especially true at Yarmouth where the biggest field boasts eight runners - hardly surprising when you consider there is barely £30,000 in prize money on offer across their seven race card. Over in Ireland there is almost £80,000 on offer at Sligo...perhaps we could learn from the Irish model, less racing and more prize money? Still, it is a big day tomorrow as entries close for the jumps meeting at Newton Abbot (pictured above) next Wednesday - I can't wait!
- Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:50
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
David broke the news in his column yesterday that conditional jockey Kieron Edgar (pictured above winning at Cheltenham aboard Home Run) has been cleared to ride again by Dr Turner following a nasty fall at Newbury on 1st March which left him with his femur fractured in three places. Talk about a tease, I'm sure the young Scottish jockey is deseperate to get back into the saddle but he was cleared on the first day of the summer break, meaning that his first opportunity to race ride will not be until a week on Wednesday at the very earliest...how tantalising is that?! Anyway, it will be good to have him back in the saddle, Kieron is good value for his 5lbs claim so let's hope that he is able to carry on where he left off and he picks up a few outside rides. Last season was his best yet with 12 winners until the campaign was brought to it's premature end.
- Monday, 04 August 2014 06:59
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The spoils once again went to champion jockey A P McCoy yesterday as he rode no fewer than four winners at Market Rasen to take his seasonal tally to an incredible 89 as we head into the enforced summer break. Tom Scu kept his momentum going with a winner for David Bridgwater and he is next in the standings with 42 victories, by the far the best start to a season that he has enjoyed. Of course 'Tom Tom' will be enjoying a slightly longer holiday than most of his compatriots following his error of judgement at Cartmel last month.
- Sunday, 03 August 2014 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Well, Glorious Goodwood is over for another year and what a fantastic week they have had there. I must say, you should go along if you ever get the opportunity to attend. It is without doubt one of the most finely appointed tracks in the country, hosts top class racing and is in a stunning location to boot...what more could you want? Anyway on to today's action and there are three meetings taking place this afternoon; two on the level at Chester and Newbury and a jumps card from Market Rasen. It's a funny card at Chester with largely small fields punctuated by a big Listed contest and a competitive handicap.
- Saturday, 02 August 2014 07:18
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Once again if you are a fan of National Hunt racing you are out of luck. I know I bang on about it, but why on earth is there not a more balanced fixture list, especially of a weekend when people have the most opportunity to go racing. If you are desperate for a jump racing fix, you will have to travel over to Ireland where it is the last day of their Galway fixture...I don't mind betting that there are a few sore heads around there by now! Over on these shores there are six meetings taking place today, with the final day of Glorious Goodwood being the obvious highlight. There are also meetings from Doncaster, Hamilton, Lingfield, Newmarket and Thirsk.
- Friday, 01 August 2014 07:21
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Street Entertainer runs at Bangor
It was a great days action at Goodwood yesterday and there were some top performances from Iva Wood and Cavalryman. There was also a nice win for AP in the Galway hurdle on board Thomas Edison for boss JP McManus and there is a great picture in the Racing Post of JP holding a very young fan wearing his fanous green and gold silks! I also see the ladies at Goodwood had a treat yesterday when Tom Cruise put in a guest performance at Glorious Goodwood. Gail from the office tells me should would have liked to have been there! Meanwhile today, the action continues at the Sussex track and we also have further flat racing at Thirsk, Newmarket, Musselburgh and Bath plus a jumps card at Bangor. David has one runners at Bangor and Street Entertainer runs in the 3.50pm handicap hurdle. There are only four runners and he should run well after two good recent runs with Tom Scu on board again. Party Girls was also declared in the final race of the day but she is now a non runner.
