- Thursday, 17 February 2011 09:30
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
We have some breaking news with regard to the rescheduled Totesport Gold Trophy at Newbury tomorrow. Ronaldo des Mottes, an intended runner in the race last Saturday before tragedy beset two horses in the paddock before their first race is a non runner. Instead he will run in tomorrow's Bathwick Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton as there is more prize money on offer. Notus de la Tour will be the sole runner from Pond House in the Totesport and will be ridden by Tom Scudamore.
- Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:26
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Well, looking through the weights for this year's Grand National at Aintree, I have to agree with David that Comply Or Die looks interesting. He won the race in 2008 from 10-9 and was runner up in 2009 with considerably more weight. This year he is set to carry 10-8 and is guaranteed to get in the race - at likely odds of around 50/1 I could be tempted. I know (like the rest of us) that he is not getting any younger, but he knows his way around Aintree and I wouldn't be surprised to see him run another big race. Ante-post favourite Ballabriggs looks to have been fairly treated on 11-0 and the McCain's also know what it takes to win a Grand National. Listen to David's reaction to weights at yesterday's launch in London...
- Tuesday, 15 February 2011 11:32
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
David is present at the unveiling of the Grand National weights in London today and was not too surprised by senior handicapper Phil Smith’s framing of the weights for the 2011 renewal. “We know that Phil is going to try to encourage the high class horses to run by compressing the handicap a little. Even so, five of our six entries are in the handicap proper at this stage and three of them are in the top 40 guaranteeing them a run if we so decide. I am pleased with the weight that Comply Or Die has (10-8) as he won the 2008 Grand National carrying 10-9” said the master of Pond House.
- Monday, 14 February 2011 08:04
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The events of Saturday at Newbury were appaling and among the worst scenes I have ever witnessed on a racecourse. It is not something that I have ever seen before and I hope not to do so again. Early reports suggest that the horses had been electricuted and you would have to worry if such events could occur anywhere else. Newbury have already taken investigatory action and I am sure they will fix anything they find immediately, but they will have to be 200% sure that there is not going to be a repeat.
- Saturday, 12 February 2011 09:43
- Written by Chester barnes
Don't forget it is Valentine's day tomorrow! If you are off racing to Catterick the first 100 ladies through the gates will get a red rose and if you pre book online you can get lunch, champagne, a racecard and some tote vouchers (www.catterickbridge.co.uk). I am not sure my wife would like a day at Catterick, it is a long way to drive!
David has a busy day at Exeter today with eight runners. There is a good card with some competitive races. Mamlook runs in his second chase and is looking to build on a very pleasing winning debut at Fakenham last time out. Qulinton returns to action after a mini break following a good second at Wetherby on his last run. Spirit of Barbados makes his hurdling debut and our young conditional Francis Hayes is having his first ride over hurdles on Monopole. Frank is a young Irish jockey who joined us in November from Andrew Baldings. He has ridden two winners on the flat and has the potential to be a very good jump jockey. Battle Group, Street Enetrtainer, Atlantic Pearl and The Tatkin make up our Exeter team and check back here tomorrow for news of our weekend runners.
- Saturday, 12 February 2011 08:11
- Written by Chester Barnes
Times must be good at Spurs, I see manager Harry Rednapp has got a runner in the 4.40pm race at Newbury called Bygones in Brid. The horse won in Ireland and Harry bought him for £100,000. First of all I thought there must be too many noughts in that price tag but that is the price he paid! I can see Harry's face twitching and moving in all directions when he is watching the race! Luckily for Harry the Tottenham match does not kick off until 5.30pm but lets just hope he runs a big race otherwise he may just take it out on the players! It looks like Persian Snow in the one they all have to beat. In fact there is another horse in the race that could have been named after Harry. Careful how you say it but, Balding Banker!
- Friday, 11 February 2011 08:04
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
I had to have a look at my calendar yesterday to make sure that it was not Friday 13th! It was just one of those days that started off on the wrong foot and pretty much stayed there. In the first race Yourgolftravel Com fell and in the second Tom Scu took another tumble when Trop Fort fell at the last while running a big race. Both he and A P McCoy (who was brought down) looked a bit shaken, but fortunately they walked away in one piece. I am pleased to say that the early signs are good for Trop Fort - it was a horrible fall (captured on the back page of the Daily Mail) and he is sore this morning. However, he has been under the heat lamps and is being treated by our on-site physiotherapist - he should be none the worse for yesterday's experience.
