Long Range Double!

It was a good day for the stable yesterday with an across the card double at opposite ends of the country courtesy of Mr Clarkson at Exeter and Starchitect (pictured above) at Ayr (yes, Ayr is technically in another country!).  Mr Clarkson (pictured with delighted connections below) displayed a good attitude to stay on determinedly to land his first start over hurdles having won a bumper on the track last time.  Runner-up to Finian's Oscar in an Irish point-to-point, he will stay further and could defy a penalty.  He has certainly already given David's new syndicate members 'Pipe's Prospectors' a great deal of enjoyment.  Meanwhile Starchitect managed to get off the mark over fences at Ayr with a classy performance.  He did no more than he was entitled to on official figures, but it was good to see him run out a cosy winner nonetheless...Tom Scudamore will ride few easier winners all season.  This will have done Starchitect's confidence no harm whatsoever and he can go on to better things.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon so long as Newbury manages to pass a 9.30am inspection.  There is jumping action from Market Rasen and Newbury as well as all-weather flat meetings from Lingfield and Kempton.  David has two runners in the 2.55pm race at Newbury; Herbert Park and Rathlin Rose.  Herbert Park has to shoulder top weight of 12-0 and while that looks plenty high enough given his sole chase start to date, it was only three runs ago that he failed by a mere neck to concede 16lbs to Tobefair who completed the six-timer last weekend.  In the same race Rathlin Rose returns from a lengthy absence - he looked useful when winning at Wetherby when last seen in May 2015 and he will be partnered by conditional jockey Michael Heard.

I had to laugh when I saw that owner and fellow West Ham fan Laurence Bellman was going to call one of his horses Payet but changed his mind by saying, "I wouldn't degrade the poor animal now" - well said Laurence!

I wonder why the stewards did not hold an inquiry into the running of favourite Dutch Art Dealer in the 7f handicap at Kempton - he was the best part of 1/2furlong behind and never had any chance of winning.  I would love to know what the jockey had to say about it!

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There is a big football match in the west country this evening as Plymouth Argyle host Liverpool in the replay of the FA Cup.  I hate to say it, but if Liverpool turn out the same side as they did in the home leg, the 11/1 available about the Pilgrims could be a big price.

Talking of football, I see that former England star Chris Waddle has come out against the big bucks on offer in the Premiership by saying, "foreign players don't love England, the only come here for the money".  I wonder how many of them love China?!

Former snooker world champion Stephen Hendry could make a sensational Crucible return after it was announced that he will play in a revamped World Seniors Championship in March.  The tournament will be held in Scunthorpe and will feature John Parrott, Cliff Thorburn, Dennis Taylor, Joe Johnson and Willie Thorne - it should certainly make for entertaining viewing.

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Mrs Barnes is leaving me again because she is fed up with me relating everything to Batman...what a joker!

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