Laustra Not So Bad!

If I owned a rocking horse I would put Conor O'Farrrell on it and what is more I would have a few quid on as well!  It seems that the red-hot young Irishman can win on just about anything at the moment and yesterday he steered Laustra Bad to his first success in nearly four years at Exeter.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him turn out again under a penalty before the handicapper has a chance to reassess him and try to stop him from winning for another four years!

Conor O'Farrell continues his great run aboard Laustra Bad at Exeter

If I owned a rocking horse I would put Conor O'Farrrell on it and what is more I would have a few quid on as well!  It seems that the red-hot young Irishman can win on just about anything at the moment and yesterday he steered Laustra Bad to his first success in nearly four years at Exeter.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him turn out again under a penalty before the handicapper has a chance to reassess him and try to stop him from winning for another four years!

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Talking of quick reappearances, I see that Buena Vista is one of the leading fancies for this Saturday's Dubai World Cup...no, not our Buena Vista - this is the Japanese bred Buena Vista who has won over £7 million in prize money!  Our Buena Vista may not have won as much prize money, but the Japanese version will certainly struggle to have as much heart.  It is certainly unusual for two horses to bear the same name (the only difference is the country suffix after their names).

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I see that following his fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, What A Friend has been the big market mover for the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree.  He is now as short as 12/1 for the Liverpool showpiece and some firms are offering special double prices for What A Friend to win the National and Man Utd to win the Premiership (around 25/1).  Man Utd look good for the Premiership, so I suppose you are almost getting 25/1 about What A Friend...sounds reasonable to me!

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Let's all keep our fingers firmly crossed for Rodi Greene following his fall at Lingfield on Monday.  Rodi took a horrible looking fall (landing on his head) and he has dislodged a bone in his neck which has in turn trapped a nerve which is stopping him from being able to move his right arm.  Rodi is a great jockey so let's hope that he makes a speedy recovery and he is back in the saddle again soon.  This incident certainly acts as a stark reminder of the dangers these jockey's face on a daily basis - I am sure that it is one of the most dangerous sporting professions out there.

Also on the sidelines is Danny Cook who broke his collarbone in a fall at Uttoxeter on Saturday.  He underwent an operation to pin the break yesterday and is very sore.  It is a shame for him as he had been in great form and could now face a spell on the sidelines of upto six weeks.  Let's wish both jockeys all the best for a quick recovery.