Racer Wins At Cheltenham

What a performance from Moon Racer at Cheltenham yesterday afternoon to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle Trial in good fashion.  I reckon he had a bit in hand despite being 4lbs worse off with old rival Ballyandy and he looks to have a great chance at the Festival in March, all things going smoothly between now and then.  Sadly the bet of £4,000 to £9,000 was not mine, although I don't reckon the person who placed the bet had too many anxious moments!  Tom Scu had him in the right position throughout and he looks like a real top-notcher.  Meanwhile, Port Navas finished a close second at Fontwell yesterday, beaten only 1/2 length - surely his turn near.

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Musselburgh and Plumpton as well as an all-weather flat card from Newcastle.  David runs Skylander and Citrus at Plumpton.  Citrus contests the novices' hurdle over two miles at 1.05pm - he had some fair form in bumpers in France and ran his best race to date in this country last time when fourth at Exeter although he would need to improve on that bare form to win this.  Meanwhile, Skylander contests the amateur riders' handicap hurdle and he did win over timber at Worcester in August.  This is tougher but he doesn't look badly treated on bits and pieces of form - Earls Court looks to be the one they all have to beat.

Talk about the highs and lows of racing...you had to feel sorry for poor old Nicky Henderson.  Only moments after tearfully announcing the retirement of stable star Sprinter Sacre, he lost another quality horse in Simonsig who sustained a fatal injury when falling at Cheltenham yesterday.  This will really hit all of the lads and lasses in the yard...it is very sad.

What a finish it looks like being for the Formula One world championship following Lewis Hamilton's victory in Brazil yesterday.  It means that he is only twelve points behind heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi...it couldn't have been orchestrated better!  Even so, you would have to say that team mate Nico Rosberg still hold all the aces...even if Hamilton wins again, Rosberg can afford to finish third and still claim a maiden world championship

In the cricket, England claimed a draw with India in the first test match.  It did get a little bit exciting with India losing six second innings wickets but they did enough to hang on in the end.  This bodes well that England can at least be competitive, something the bookmakers prices suggested was not likely to happen.

Mrs Barnes has told me that she is going to leave me if I do not stop treating her like a child.  For those comments she is now sat on the naughty step!  Keep smiling...

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