French Champion News

Today we have five meetings taking place with four flat cards from Hamilton, Lingfield, Wolverhampton and Kempton as well as a jumps fixture from Ffos Las.  We have our first runners of the week at the Welsh track this evening where we are represented by Houston Dynimo and Lady Of Longstone.  Houston Dynimo has been contesting better races than this one and I would expect him to run a big race while Lady Of Longstone was a game winner at the track last time out and while she is 7lbs higher this evening she should give a good account.  Stable jockey Tom Scudamore is aboard the pair.

It was the latest forfeit stage for the French Champion Hurdle yesterday and much as anticipated, David has kept both Ballynagour and Un Temps Pour Tout in the big race.  Eight of the nineteen remaining are trained in Britain or Ireland so there is a really strong raiding party this year.  I took a photograph of Un Temps Pour Tout on the gallops yesterday morning as he continued his preparation towards the weekend.  As you can see he is looking really well and Tom Scudamore has a big decision as to which to ride on Sunday.  Both horses are rated 158 over hurdles in this country so there is precious little to choose between them - Ballynagour was the impressive winner of the Prix la Barka last time, while Un Temps Pour Tout was a good third at Aintree's Grand National meeting.  I guess choosing between them is a nice problem to have!  Meanwhile, Dell' Arca and Katkeau who also had entries on the card at Auteuil this weekend will not join their stablemates on this occasion, although there are other opportunities for them later in the month.

Above: French Champion Hurdle hope Un Temps Pour Tout on the gallops yesterday

It is owner Josie Tracey's birthday today, so many happy returns to her.  I will not divulge her age, although it must be the Scottish air that keeps her looking so young.  I would imagine that husband Sean will be taking her away to some far away romantic island destination?

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I hope a few of you took note of my tennis double yesterday and had a few quid on Murray and Djokovic in their French Open tennis matches yesterday?  At over even money for the pair of them, it was a cracking good bet.  You could try buying some cash in the ladies' tournament by having a few quid on Serena Williams to win the competition at 4/9.  She looks like a heavyweight boxer against the little girls.  I had better be careful in case someone tells her what I said!

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Unsurprisingly Rafa Benitez has been named as the new manager of Real Madrid.  He has a three year contract, although there is no way in the world I can see him lasting that long...even if the team is successful they get rid of their managers.

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As many of you will know by now, we spent last week in Ile de Re off the west coast of France celebrating Martin's 70th birthday and now I can bring you an exclusive photograph of MCP with grandson Jack on a Merry-Go-Round.  Martin bagged the red bike and to tell you the truth, I am not sure who enjoyed it more...fortunately he is in Ireland today so may not see the picture!

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Did you know that a baby oyster is called a Spat?  It would seem that I have had quite a few baby oysters with people down the years!  Maybe it is because I am shellfish?!  Have a nice day...

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