Taunton Runner-Up

I thought that Laustra Bad ran another sound race at Taunton yesterday afternoon when finishing second to Fountains Flypast in the 2m3 1/2f handicap hurdle.  It seems to me that our eight year old is running some good races without getting his head in front and I dare say that the handicapper will make life more difficult still by putting him up by another pound or two.  While he is undeniably reasonably treated compared to when he last won, it should be remembered that he has never won a handicap and come next month it will be four years since he was last successful - it is about time the handicapper gave him more of a chance rather than sticking him back up the weights again for not winning!

Spirit Of Barbados also ran his best race to date when finishing fourth in the novices' hurdle.  He stayed on nicely and looks as though a step up in trip will suit him in the future.

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I was watching the racing on television yesterday afternoon and I witnessed seventeen year old Jake Butterfield ride his first winner.  It was only his third ever ride and I am willing to bet that his walls are going to be covered in pictures of Brian Ellison's Thrust Control.  I wonder how many jockeys have won on their first ever rides?...that sounds like a question for the Post's resident anorak John Randall!

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Good old Coral!  I notice that the high street bookmaker have taken the initiative by offering non-runner, no bet on all races from the Cheltenham Festival.  Hopefully the other major firms will follow suit.

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Someone asked me the other day, "What is Ireland's number one sport?".  That's easy I thought to myself foolishly before replying "Hurling".  "No" came the reply, "Cricket!"...I really should have known!

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I have a couple more pictures from the gallops, including bumper winner and recent recruit Beattie Green, as well as recent Warwick winner Shaking Hands schooling over fences under Danny Cook.

  
Above left: Beattie Green on the gallops, and right: Shaking Hands schooling over fences with Danny Cook

Cheltenham Festival Selections On
The Update Line 09060 400 901

I thought that you would be interested to hear of the line-up of special guests that will be appearing on the Update Line as the countdown to the best four days of jump racing in the world continues.  We will be speaking to some of the most respected people in the business and they will be giving us their Festival fancies...

We start with stable jockey Tom Scudamore on Tuesday and will continue with his father, eight times champion jockey Peter Scudamore, Bloodstock Agent Tom Malone, Attheraces presenter Luke Harvey, fifteen times champion jockey A P McCoy, fifteen times champion trainer Martin Pipe, and of course, David who has had five Festival winners in his first four full seasons with a training license.  To listen in this exclusive information call 09060 400 901 from 10am daily.  (Calls charged at £1.50 per min at all times, helpline 01884 840715)