Taunton,Huntingdon Runners

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon and the good news is that both Taunton and Huntingdon have passed early morning inspections so we have some jump racing to look forward to once again.  It cetainly was nothing like as cold around here overnight.  There are also all-weather flat meetings taking place at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford City.  The stable has ten runners this afternoon at Taunton including promising types such as Skylander (pictured above), Sir Frank Morgan and Rathealy.  Sir Frank Morgan makes his debut for the stable this afternoon and has his first try over hurdles having shown a decent level of form over staying trips on flat.  Meanwhile, Miss Williams (a daughter of Wee Dinns who was also trained at Pond House) makes her racecourse debut this afternoon and will be partnered by Nick Scholfield.

I am sure that most of you will already have heard by now that last season's Ryanair Chase hero Dynaste (pictured right) has met with a setback and he will be unable to defend his crown at next month's Cheltenham Festival.  He has also been ruled out of Aintree and the remainder of the season after finishing very sore behind when a close third behind Many Clouds in his latest race at Cheltenham.  It is too close to the festivals to get him right in time and while it is extremely disappointing for David, the owners and everyone in the stable, I am sure David will have him right in time for a full campaign next season.

It is Len Lungo's 65th birthday today.  Len was one of MCP's very first jockeys before becoming a very successful trainer in his own right.  I am sure he will be celebrating in style as the Scotsman is able to claim his pension!  Of course, I am only joking...many happy returns Len.

There is a very interesting piece in today's Racing Post about Paul Nicholls' time as a jockey.  Did you know that he even had a ride for MCP once?  He was always struggling with his weight...I should know, I had to give him the leg up!

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Ladies tennis player Victoria Azarenka has given her explanation for her recent absence from the Fed Cup.  She says that her luggage became lost and nobody had seen it in three days.  Surely in that space of time she could have obtained another racket...or maybe she was more worried about her outfit?!

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There was a thrilling climax to the FA Cup match between Liverpool and Bolton last night.  Liverpool prevailed 2-1 although they left it very late with goals in the 86th and 90th minutes.  Bolton had Neil Danns out with 24 minutes left following two bookable offences.  It has to be said that Bolton can be considered a little unfortunate to lose.

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I went to watch a 4-D film last night and was literally blown away by all the special effects.  The seats move, the wind blows, you can smell the smells and water even gets sprayed in your face.  Fortunately in the film I went to see there were no lions marking their territory!

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I was amazed to hear that a baby in the United States dropped it's mother right in it recently.  Police in Florida had stopped the 24 year old mother's vehicle when the child pulled out a concealed bag of cocaine...not quite the coke it was after I'm sure!  You might think that I am a dope, but it is all true!  Have a nice day...