Chic Success At Donny!

The stable was among the winners again yesterday afternoon as Chic Theatre produced a gutsy performance under Tom Scudamore to land the novices' hurdle at Doncaster in a thrilling finish.  He was up with the leaders throughout but looked a sitting duck in front with several potential challengers seemingly travelling every bit as well as our runner.  He found plenty for pressure however and prevailed by a head in a driving finish.  He was untidy at the last but for which I think he would have won a little easier - he showed a willing attitude here and can surely go on to better things over timber.

Shotavodka ran a creditable race to finish a close fourth in the veterans' chase and he looks capable of winning something similar while Mount Haven was disappointing but did lose a front shoe during his race and is clearly better than this performance.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Huntingdon and Sedgefield while there are all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Chelmsford City.  Huntingdon have already passed an early morning inspection and the action goes ahead, while Sedgefield have decided to have another look at 8.30am - hopefully everything will get the go ahead.  Scu travels to Huntingdon today where the stable has one runner; Vazaro Delafayette in the 2m4f handicap chase at 3.55pm.  He finished a decent third at the track on his chase debut a couple of weeks ago on his first start back from a long absence.  If he can build on that then he should go well once again.

Champion jockey elect Richard Johnson has four rides this afternoon at Huntingdon and he is looking for just one winner to reach his maiden double century which would be an amazing achievement.  He might have his work cut out for him today as none of his booked mounts are favourite and his best chance appears to be in the 4.30pm race aboard Ten Sixty.  So long as he keeps going, there is no reason why he should not be champion jockey for a number of years.  He has plenty of good support - indeed, he has already had more rides this season than A P McCoy had during his entire final season.  The only trouble from Johnson's perspective is you need new horses every year and they seem to be getting more and more expensive.

Martin played host to a nice group of people yesterday morning, pictured above.  Liz, Brian, Sue and Louise who are all keen racing and point-to-point followers obtained a visit to the stable when successfully bidding for a lot donated by David at a charity auction event.  They enjoyed a tour of the yard and the opportunity to see the horses in action on the gallops, while also taking the mandatory turn on the mechanical horse!

I see the big debate continues about whether Victoria Pendleton should be allowed to ride at the Cheltenham Festival.  The answer is simple...no.  I agree with the likes of John Francome and Henrietta Knight - she will end up hurting herself or someone else.

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Manchester City turned out their first team against Dynamo Kiev last night and duly won 3-1.  I did have a little bet on them so I was quite happy with the result.  Perhaps next year they should ask the players if they want to play in the F A Cup?!  On the other side of town, Manchester United take on Danish side Midjtylland at Old Trafford tonight.  United should win, but good luck if you are planning on having a wager!

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Why can't a bicycle stand up?  Because it is two tyred! 

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