Sadler's Successful!

It was a good day for the stable yesterday at Exeter with our two runners yielding a winner and a very close second.  Sadler's Gold won the concluding maiden hurdle with plenty in hand.  He shaped nicely enough at Newbury last time and seemed to appreciate this easier grade and better ground - hopefully he can build on this now and go on to better things.  Meanwhile Classical Art was only beaten a short head by favourite Vodka 'n Tonic in the 2m1f handicap hurdle, the pair of them well clear of the remainder.  He forced a dead-heat last time at Taunton and for a moment, I thought he was going to be involved in another one...I wonder if any horse has ever dead-heated for a win two races in succession?  Anyway, this was another good run and he also seemed to appreciate this sounder surface.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with one jump card from Cheltenham and three flat fixtures from Newmarket, Beverley and Kempton.  The stable has two runners at Cheltenham this afternoon; Alternatif and Drumlee Lad.  Alternatif has been very consistent this term, not finishing out of the frame on five occasions, including when winning at Kempton on his Pond House debut.  The Racing Post make him a 9/2 shot and he looks to have a solid chance.  Meanwhile, Drumlee Lad was the winnner of an Irish point-to-point so this three mile trip should be within his compass.

I see that bookmakers William Hill have cut Broadway Buffalo from 12/1 into 10/1 joint favourite for the Scottish National at Ayr on Saturday.  I wonder if it is Scottish money on the Buffalo?  I would imagine he would be suited by some cut in the ground so they will be doing a rain dance over the border!

Tom Scu Watch...145.  Following the success of Sadler's Gold, Scu only needs another five winners to notch his first 150.

Many happy returns to assistant Oliver Defew who is 34 today.  Oliver used to ride out David's Grand National winner Comply Or Die every day.  He isn't much of a judge when it comes to sport as he is a Norwich fan - it's just as well canaries can sing!  Anyway, happy birthday Oliver.

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I am of the opinion that whoever completes the deal for the Champions League coverage should have a clause put in that if no English teams make it through to the latter stages, they will not televise it on mainstream television.  Only devoted fans will have watched Atletico Madrid versus Real Madrid - the 0-0 draw was about as exciting as watching grass grow.  Mrs Barnes had the right hump by the end of it and for a change, I have to agree with her.

Bournemouth won 1-0 yesterday against Reading and stay on top of the Championship.  As far as I can tell, there biggest job will be to hold on to their manager.  He has done a fantastic job and there will be plenty of the bigger clubs queuing up to secure his services.

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The Test match between the West Indies and England looks as though it is going to peter out into a draw.  I wonder if the authorities have ever considered shortening these matches to four days to try to make the teams get a move on?

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Strange but true...apparently it is illegal in Chicago, Illinois for a woman who weighs 200lbs to ride a horse while wearing shorts.