Passing Of Brian Jennings

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with three flat cards from Nottingham, Salisbury and Kempton as well as a jumps fixture from Bangor. David has two runners in the novices’ hurdle at 4.20pm; Thunder Pass and Tobacco Road – it is a nine runner novices’ hurdle of two miles and it looks a trappy little contest with several of the participants having very little form to go on. Our two runners were useful performers on the level but are yet to translate that ability to hurdles and would need to improve on what they have shown so far.

Many happy returns to the legend Ashley Farrant (pictured right) who turns 45 today. The former champion point-to-point rider is still with us at Pond House and when he is on the gallops he tells me everything that he rides is going to win – the trouble is he is an awful judge! He is a great character though and always has a smile on his face. Happy birthday Ash, we hope you have a great day.

There was a great interview by Derek Thompson yesterday afternoon at Sedgefield. He cornered a punter and asked “What do you do?” The punter replied, “I’m unemployed” so the ever persistent Tommo followed up, “What do you want to do?” “Stay unemployed!” came the response – one of the quickest interviews in television history.

I see that England football manager has had his £3million per year deal terminated. That is £60,000 per week and he wanted more – talk about greedy! He was set up by the Telegraph, but how stupid must he be to even go along with the 'talks in a hotel room routine'?  He must be thick!  The Telegraph claim that there are a further eight managers who have taken bungs and if this is correct, they should all be sacked.  Football managers in this country are the best paid in the world - why can't they be satisfied with their lot?

I find it hard to believe that Ireland are going to be a test team after they lost to Australia in a one day cricket international.  They scored 182 runs, while the Aussies reached that target with 20 overs to spare.  I would be very surprised if they managed to take the match to a fifth day.

Finally, I have some very sad news as one of our oldest and dearest friends, Brian Jennings (pictured below, centre) passed away yesterday.  Brian used to go racing with Martin, David and myself all the time and he was great company to be around and no bad judge either.  He had been a good cricketer in his time, but more than that, he was just a really nice man who will be sadly missed but very fondly remembered.

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