Out Of Luck At Worcester

Today we have five meetings taking place with four flat cards from York, Chepstow, Hamilton and Lingfield as well as a jumps card from Stratford, although the stable doesn't have any runners this afternoon.  It was a bit of a disappointing evening at Worcester yesterday with Lilbourne Legacy weakening in the last couple of furlongs of the bumper.  He must get the trip as he was placed in a couple of Irish point-to-points and I would imagine that David will now send him over obstacles.  Meanwhile For 'N' Against was unable to supplement last week's Fontwell success despite running creditably to finish fourth in the handicap hurdle.    I would like the handicapper to tell me how he has any prospect of winning once his new handicap mark kicks in?  If he couldn't win last night under a 7lbs penalty, how will he win with a further 9lbs on his back?  Maybe David should let the assessor enter the six year old up?!

Watching the remainder of the action yesterday, Great Fighter is certainly one to take note of next time.  He was ten lengths clear when falling at the last in the novices' hurdle at Worcester last night.  He is another useful ex-flat horse from the John Ferguson yard and provided there are no ill-effects of his tumble, he looks sure to make amends next time.

What an outcome to the Juddmonte International Stakes at York yesterday as Derby and Eclipse winner Golden Horn was turned over by 50/1 chance Arabian Queen.  The question is, are the fillies better than the colts or did the rest of the field all run below par?  Golden Horn handed out the same beating to The Grey Gatsby as he did at Sandown (more really, when you consider that he was 3lbs worse off), so did the filly just excel on this one particular day?  It is not very often that a Derby winner gets beaten by a filly of the same generation but she did look like the better horse on the day.  You could have backed her at 245/1 in running and the Betfair SP was 100/1...it's a funny old game.  Winning trainer David Elsworth refused to speak with the press afterwards - a good trainer, but he can be a bit odd.  He wouldn't speak to Martin at all and used to call him 'Drainpipe'...and I am not joking.

It was fascinating to see the stewards enquiry after the finish of the Great Voltigeur.  Joseph O'Brien may be quiet but he is quite a good story teller!  He should have started off 'Once upon a time'!  Although he did carry the runner-up across the track, they could have kept going all afternoon and I don't think Bondi Beach would have got past Storm The Stars who looks like the one to beat in the St Leger.  Talking of enquiry's, I heard a good one years ago when Ron Atkins claimed that the sun reflecting from the water jump into his eyes had put him off!

I see that it is Timmy Murphy's 41st birthday today.  Timmy was successful upon many of the Pond House horses, including that great Grand National success on Comply Or Die in 2008.  He has since ridden a few winners since switching codes to the flat...many happy returns.

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The final match in the Ashes series gets underway today although it means very little with England already reclaiming the Ashes.  The Aussies could get a draw, after all there are four days of rain forecast!  I look taking the mickey out of the Australians - you have to enjoy it while you can as it doesn't happen very often.

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Finally, why was Thomas Edison able to invent the light bulb?  Because he was very bright!  Have a nice day...

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