Douglas Gallant 3rd At Ascot

The horses ran well over the weekend without getting their heads in front and good old Lough Derg ran yet another blinder at his beloved Ascot.  Unfortunately he fluffed the last, but for which he would have been even closer but he still managed a gallant third.  The problem is that he certainly won't earn any respite from the handicapper...can there be a more honest and game horse in training?

I watched the Irish Champion Hurdle yesterday at Leopardstown and I have to say that I am still not convinced that Hurricane Fly will win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.  The 4/9 favourite comfortably beat old adversary Solwhit by 3 1/2 lengths, but on all known form he was entitled to - he still looks plenty short enough in the ante-post market to me at odds of around 9/2 (especially when you consider that he has missed the last two Festivals).  I will be keeping my powder dry for a little while yet.

*****

I see it's Josh Apiafi's 36th birthday today.  Josh used to work at the yard before setting out on his own successful ventures.  Josh rode as an amateur jockey and even rode a winner for us.  It was Josh's style of riding that nearly encouraged me to get back in the saddle...that's all you need to know about Josh's style!  Happy birthday Josh.