Father's Day!

Who said that drifters don't ever win?  Well Our Father drifted from 5/1 to 9/1, yet still managed to produce a taking debut performance to land Chepstow's maiden hurdle by four lengths.  He took a good hold but still came through to win quite comfortably in the end - he looks to be an exciting prospect and can only improve for his first ever experience on a racecourse.  He looks sure to make up into a nice chaser in time, but should be more than capable of picking up a few hurdles before that.

Our Father makes an impressive hurdling debut at Chepstow on Saturday

Over at Wincanton Arrayan had earlier initiated the double by landing the novices' handicap hurdle under conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell.  I like this gelding - he seems to have a willing attitude for racing and looks as though he should win more races - he won from a mark of 93, I just wonder what the handicapper will do to him?

Sadly Tom Scudamore will be out of action for a couple of weeks - he took a real kicking during a fall at Sandown on Saturday, so let's hope that he is soon on the mend and back in the saddle again soon.  Meanwhile on the same card Minella Class looked useful when winning by seven lengths on heavy ground and come March he could emerge as a genuine Champion Hurdle contender.

We have a picture of Friday's Fontwell winner Roi de Rose, who put up a terrific performance in the handicap chase.  It was a great thrill for his Swiss owners and his success certainly brightened up what was an otherwise dismal afternoon weather-wise.

Roi de Rose defies the elements to score at Fontwell on Friday

It's Malcolm Jones' birthday today.  Macolm was a partner in top class hurdler Pridwell - now there was a real character...I mean Pridwell (only joking Malcolm)!  Nowadays Malcolm spends most of his days on the golf course, although he certainly isn't as good as his wife Moira!  Many Happy Returns Malcolm.

I can't believe that jockey Philip Robinson is 50 today - he is still a very good rider who makes very few mistakes and I for one would be more than pleased to see him continue riding for a few more years yet.

*****

A P McCoy added yet another notable success to his enviable CV when successful in the rescheduled Welsh National on Saturday aboard Synchronised - I couldn't believe that it was his first success in the race.  Anyway, below is a picture of three of Britain's most prolific winner makers shortly after the big race - MCP trained a record 4183 winners while A P already has well over 3,000 successes in the saddle to date (and still counting!) while senior jumps handicapper Phil Smith is responsible for more winners than either of them!

Left to right: AP, MCP and senior handicapper Phil Smith at Chepstow on Welsh National day