Taunton Treble!

The stable is in great form following a treble at Taunton yesterday afternoon.  Lucy's Perfect started the ball rolling under an inspired Tom Scudamore ride, rallying on the run-in to get back past A P McCoy on Mizzurka having been headed at the last.  Tom was very pleased to get the better of the champ in a driving finish - it is not very often that anyone can say they have done that!  Dream Esteem finished a close second in the handicap hurdle under a big weight (conceding a stone to the winner), before Dynaste won the big race of the day.  He was providing conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell with his first winner in this country - Conor looked very strong and I can see him riding a few more winners yet.

David was also undoubtedly responsible for the training performance of the day when he bought back Sultan Fontenaille from an 810 day absence to win the closing handicap chase on his first start for the yard.  It was another good ride from Tom Scu and while he didn't win on the bridle, he probably won a shade cosily in the end with his ears pricked.  That success completed a 263/1 treble for the yard, so all in all it was a very good day.

  
Above left: Lucy's Perfect and right: Sultan Fontenaille at Taunton yesterday

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Congratulations to Mary Bromiley for being awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.  Mary is a lovely lady and has worked tirelessly to help the recovery of both horse and human through physiotherapy methods over the years.  Indeed, Mary has helped look after our horses and staff for a long time and is an amazing lady.  Well done Mary, it is thoroughly well deserved.

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Happy Birthday to Bob Wheatley who is 69 today.  Bob owned MCP's first Cheltenham Festival winner Baron Blakeney, who won the Triumph Hurdle in 1981 under Paul Leach.  You may remember that Paul was so confident of success that he threw his whip away halfway up the run-in!  The pair prevailed to beat Peter Scudamore aboard the favourite Broadsword.  It is also Sir Alex Ferguson's birthday today - I see the Post say that he was the joint-owner of Rock Of Gibraltar...doesn't he also manage a football team?!  I'm sure that Tony Lomas will be able to remind me which one it is!...