Gorgeous George!

What a performance from Grands Crus at Cheltenham on Saturday!  Our six year won a Grade 2 hurdle by 10 lengths without needing to come off the bridle.  He took a good hold under Tom Scudamore, but still found plenty when asked to go and win his race turning into the straight.  It seems that everyone who watched it is talking about his performance and it certainly seems like Big Buck's has a credible opponent in the World Hurdle.  You can still get 3/1 about "George" and I think that price will shorten up yet further by the Festival - don't forget...make sure that you get all your ante-post bets on with the "non runner, no bet" proviso.  That way if your selection doesn't make it to the Festival (and let's be honest, a lot can still happen with six weeks left to go), you will get your money back.

               Grands Crus receives the plaudits at Cheltenham on Saturday
What a performance from Grands Crus at Cheltenham on Saturday!  Our six year won a Grade 2 hurdle by 10 lengths without needing to come off the bridle.  He took a good hold under Tom Scudamore, but still found plenty when asked to go and win his race turning into the straight.  It seems that everyone who watched it is talking about his performance and it certainly seems like Big Buck's has a credible opponent in the World Hurdle.  You can still get 3/1 about "George" and I think that price will shorten up yet further by the Festival - don't forget...make sure that you get all your ante-post bets on with the "non runner, no bet" proviso.  That way if your selection doesn't make it to the Festival (and let's be honest, a lot can still happen with six weeks left to go), you will get your money back.

*****

It was a big day for Willie Mullins at Punchestown yesterday when he saddle no fewer than five winners on the card.  Four of them were partnered by Paul Townend, and while I don't know an awful lot about him, I noticed that he is currently third in the Irish jockey's championship with 54 winners.  It then occurred to me that he has won over £1.25 million in prize money, over £200,000 more than A P McCoy - it shows you how good the prize money is on the other side of the Irish Sea (or does it indicate how poor prize money has become over here?).  Either way, it certainly sounds like something is wrong to me.

*****

Scottish(!) tennis player Andy Murray was very disappointing in the Australian Open Final.  That is now three Grand Slam finals he has failed to win, and Ladbrokes have reacted by pricing him up at 7/4 never to land a big one.  His temperament certainly looks a little suspect - maybe he needs a pair of blinkers?!