Fiulin_Selwyn

There are two meetings on this afternoon at Ascot over the jumps and Doncaster on the flat.  The stable has one runner at Ascot, Fiulin in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle which looks very competitive with no less than seventeen runners.  Young Tom Bellamy is in the saddle and takes off a handy 5lbs.  I don't think Tom has ridden around Ascot before, so it will certainly be an experience for him riding there.

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Swing_Bill_Cheltenham_Nov_11

Have you ever dreamed of owning a runner in the World's Greatest Steeplechase, the Grand National at Aintree?  Until now, such a opportunity has been afforded only to the wealthy, but now we are proud to make this dream an attainable reality by offering ten shares in Grand National entry Swing Bill at a cost of £4,000 per share.  Swing Bill is an ultra consistent gelding who recorded a personal best effort when winning at Cheltenham's Open meeting in December, and he has experience of the Grand National fences, having raced over them twice previously (including when 5th in last season's Topham Chase).  Your stake will cover all costs until the end of the season - to register your interest contact us on 01884 840715, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - make sure to be quick though, as with only ten shares available this is a very limited opportunity.

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Weekend_Millionair_Ffos_Las_web

No you didn't misread the headline - we enjoyed a winning weekend on Thursday when Weekend Millionair landed the maiden hurdle at Ffos Las in facile style.  He jumped well and once Tom Scu had him settled he always looked the likeliest winner to me.  This was probably quite a decent effort and on only his second start for the stable after an absence of over 18 months.  Tom was also on the mark with the stable's Roi de Rose who jumped well and really seemed to enjoy the genuine good ground at the Welsh track when winning the handicap chase - this first try at three miles on better ground certainly seemed to suit him.  Tom had earlier ridden a winner for his brother Michael, so was completing a treble on the day.

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Weekend_Millionair_Schooling_Selwyn_web

We had another winner at Taunton yesterday afternoon as Arab League made the most of a good piece of placing by David to land the novices' hurdle with the minimum of fuss.  Despite carrying a hefty penalty for his three previous successes, this was largely offset by young Frank Hayes' 10lbs claim.  Frank was winning his second race over timber, on the same course and horse as his first - he clearly gets on well with Arab League who continues to prosper since joining Pond House.  Winning owner Stuart Mercer (the one with the illuminous ties) was interviewed afterwards and said "I have been with the Pipe's for 20 years...you don't get that for murder!"

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arab_league_taunton_301211
Arab League after Winning at
Taunton Last Time

The stable has four runners at local track Taunton this afternoon, Arab League, Dukes Art, Woodlark Island and On Khee.  It is glorious sunshine once again and I am sre it will be a hot afternoon at Taunton both on and off the track!  Arab League is a big odds on chance in the Racing Post and young Francis Hayes takes a valuable ten pounds off his back.  Frank has won on the gelding before and he is already twice a course winner this season.  Woodlark Island was a winner at Wincanton last time out and On Khee was second at Plumpton on her last outing.  Fingers crossed David may have a good afternoon!  On Khee was last seen at the Cheltenham Festival running in the charity race with atthreraces presenter Gina Bryce in the saddle.  She ran well that day to finish fifth and it is hoped she can open her account over hurdles this afternoon.

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Frosted_Grape_Hereford

We have three runners this afternoon, Unex Degas who contests his first hurdle race at Taunton under Conor O'Farrell and Presenting Ace and Frosted Grape at Market Rasen who are both partnered by Tom Scudamore.  Frosted Grape is back from a little break and looks reasonably treated back on her last winning chase mark of 120, while Presenting Ace is eased in grade following his run in the fiercely competitive EBF Final at Sandown the weekend before Cheltenham.

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64

According to the bookmakers, Richard Johnson may not finish runner-up to A P McCoy in this season's jump jockeys' championship.  While McCoy has been an imovable force at the top of the table (currently set for an incredible seventeeth successive championship), Johnson has been the perennial bridesmaid, finishing runner-up on no less than fourteen occasions.  That could all be different this time around however as Jason Maguire is challenging for the runner-up spot and has the powerful Donald McCain yard behind him.  I must admit, I do feel a little bit sorry for Richard Johnson (not that for one minute he would want my pity) - can you imagine the acclaim he would have been receiving if McCoy had been around in a different era?  Johnson has ridden more winners than any other jockey in British jump racing history!

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