Happy Birthday Martin!

I must start today by wishing Martin a very happy 70th birthday and by that I mean I really must as I will be collecting my P45 otherwise!  There is a great piece in today's Racing Post illustrating five of Martin's greatest achievements as a trainer...I am amazed they could narrow it down to five as there have probably been enough to fill the entire paper.  A couple of my fondest memories are included - I remember backing Baron Blakeney ante-post for the Triumph Hurdle in 1981 and was congratulating myself on getting 50/1 about our grey only for him to return at 66's...some judge I am, at least he won!  I notice they credit Martin with the purchase of Champion Hurdle winner Make A Stand from the Leicester claimer, although I still dispute that one to this day as I'm sure it was me...I guess as it's his birthday I will allow him bragging rights for the day!  There will also be a piece about Martin and another soon to be birthday boy, Richard Hannon by Alistair Down in Sunday's paper following a recent interview (pictured above) and I would imagine it will be well worth a read.  Anyway, many happy returns Martin, we all hope you have a fantastic day.

There was success for the stable when Rathlin Rose was the facile winner of the novices' chase at Wetherby last night under Tom Scudamore.  The race had cut up quite badly with only three runners taking part, so this was a good bit of placement by David.  With the second favourite having an off day Rathlin Rose didn't have to be at his best to score eased down by 40 lengths, although he still looked a useful chaser in the making.  A decent handicap hurdler and a former Irish point-to-point winner, he had always looked likely to make a nice chaser and I saw nothing last night to alter that opinion.  Inconvenienced by this faster ground there will be plenty opportunities for him over the coming season and I am sure David will place him to win more races.

It wasn't such a good day for Mikey Ennis who showed that he is sadly no Anneka Rice as he was unable to get from Haydock to Sandown in time to ride Rathealy for the stable with Jamie Spencer deputising aboard our four year old.  He looks as though he will benefit from another couple of furlongs on the level and perhaps a slightly easier surface.

It is a busy day today with six meetings taking place and there are flat meetings from Newmarket, Newcastle, Brighton, Haydock and Catterick supported by a jumps card from Stratford.  The stable has two runners in the 3m3f handicap hurdle at Stratford, Weather Babe and Amigo.  David would appear to hold a strong hand with the first two in the market according to the Post - Weather Babe was a ready winner at Exeter over 2m7f on her seasonal debut and she steps up in trip again this afternoon.  She is an improving mare, although she will need to be from a career high mark - Conor O'Farrell takes the ride.  Our other runner, Amigo was last seen running a blinder when fourth in the Scottish National - stamina is of no concern to him and he looks to have solid claims under Tom Scu.

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There was an interesting table-tennis match last night between Martin and myself, versus David and Simon.  Having somehow managed to beat us in the first game, David immediately took to Twitter to tell everybody about his success - I am not sure whether he was more pleased with himself about that or the success of Rathlin Rose!  What he failed to mention is that the score was immediately leveled and neither Crockett or Pipe Jr were in a fit state to play the decider...or so that is what they said!

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The cricket starts today, although judging by the forecast the weather may well play a hand in the outcome.  Hopefully the skippers will take an aggresive strategy and try to get a result out of the game if it is rain effected rather than just letting it peter out into the inevitable draw.

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As I have been saying over the last week, Rory McIlroy looks completely exhausted and it is showing in his play at the moment.  A 10/3 favourite at the start of the Irish Open tournament, a round of 80 yesterday has seen his odds drift to 150/1.  I hope you took heed and swerved the world number one for this one!

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Finally, here's a thought for the squeamish among you...did you know there are more lifeforms living on your skin than there are people on this planet?  Started itching yet?

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