Great Time At Huntingdon!

The stable enjoyed a nice winner yesterday when Spending Time came home the decisive winner of the three mile novices' handicap chase at Huntingdon.  He jumped well and handled the ground under a sensible ride from Conor O'Farrell.  He hasn't been the easiest of horses to train and David has done well to win a couple of races with him, although judged on this success he can win again when stamina is at a premium.  Balgarry was third on his first start over fences and he looked like a really exciting ride - making all at a brisk pace and fairly winging most of his fences.  He looks capable of winning races over the larger obstacles.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action coming from Exeter, Bangor and Ayr and an all-weather flat fixture from Kempton.  The stable runs Dusk Till Dawn and Heath Hunter at Exeter as well as Bird d'Estruval at Bangor.  Former Irish point-to-point winner Dusk Till Dawn is forecast second favourite and he could appreciate this softer ground - he appears to have the useful Monbeg Gold to beat.  Heath Hunter should be well at home on the ground as all of his five successes have come on soft or heavy going - he has schooled well over fences and doesn't have an awful lot to find based on hurdles form.  Over at Bangor Bird d'Estruval makes his debut for the stable in the novices' hurdle - already a winner in France, he looks to have a sound chance of making a successful start to his career in this country.

Tom Scudamore was down at the yard riding out again yesterday and he also participated in plenty of schooling.  I took a film of him schooling over fences and Tom took it with him to show to the Jockey Club doctor.  He sees him today and hopefully he will be passed fit to ride.  I still remember Tom's dad Peter needing to pass the doctor at Newton Abbot many years ago having sustained an injury to his wrist.  Scu saw the doctor, presented his good wrist and was passed fit to ride!  I told Tom that he ought to do the same thing, but he just told me that it was his leg and not his wrist...everybody wants to be a comedian!

Houston Dynimo's winning owners Gordon and Sue visited the yard again yesterday and Sue had clearly been busy in the kitchen once again...I don't think I have ever seen so many cakes in one place!  They were magnificent, although I was only able to have one as I am diabetic - don't tell Mrs Barnes!

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England take on Pakistan in the cricket this morning from 11am and England are 6/5 chances.  As far as I can tell our entire chance hinges on whether the middle order batsmen can post a decent total.  I think a watching brief is probably the best option for now.

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I see that world boxing champion Vladimir Klitschko has accused rival Tyson Fury of having mental issues...has he really taken all that time to realise this?  (Don't tell Fury I said that!)

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Mrs Barnes created an unusual dinner last night that really tickled the palate...she left the feathers on the chicken!

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