Down At Pond House!

We were joined in the yard by master wordsmith Alistair Down yesterday afternoon.  Amazingly, in all the years he has been writing (for the Life and now for the Post), this was Alistair's first visit to Pond House.  Following his Festival success aboard Buena Vista, he had come down to speak with man of the moment Conor O'Farrell.  Indeed, while Alistair lists this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup as one of the greatest races he has ever seen, he also included Buena Vista's repeat triumph in the Pertemps Hurdle as one of his highlights of the meeting.  Alistair was more than happy to pose for the camera with the horse - fortunately for him our mechanical horse is away being serviced at present, otherwise you would have been looking at a picture of him aboard that instead!  Keep a look out for Alistair's piece about Conor - it should be in the Post on Monday.

David & Alistair Down with duel Cheltenham Festival Hero Buena Vista

We were joined in the yard by master wordsmith Alistair Down yesterday afternoon.  Amazingly, in all the years he has been writing (for the Life and now for the Post), this was Alistair's first visit to Pond House.  Following his Festival success aboard Buena Vista, he had come down to speak with man of the moment Conor O'Farrell.  Indeed, while Alistair lists this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup as one of the greatest races he has ever seen, he also included Buena Vista's repeat triumph in the Pertemps Hurdle as one of his highlights of the meeting.  Alistair was more than happy to pose for the camera with the horse - fortunately for him our mechanical horse is away being serviced at present, otherwise you would have been looking at a picture of him aboard that instead!  Keep a look out for Alistair's piece about Conor - it should be in the Post on Monday.

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I was saddened to see that George Walker has passed away at the age of 81.  I remember George from my days in the East End of London - George and Billy had a club in Forest Gate called The Upper Cut (it used to be a skating rink but the brothers changed it into a nightclub).  Billy was the more famous brother - you may remember that he was a very good amateur boxer before turning professional.  I think he might have fought against Johnny Prescott...or was it Henry Cooper?!  I might be wrong - your memory goes as you get older!  Anyway, those were the good old days in the East End.

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I have been really looking forward to this weekend as it promises to be great on the sports front.  My wife Jane always goes down to the local bookies with her mum for a pot of tea (she supplies the cakes!), so I will be able to have a bit of peace and quiet for the cricket.  Then at 3pm it is Wales versus England at football...does it get any better than this?!  Tomorrow I will be participating in a 36 hole golf tournament - it is Captain's Day at Churston Golf Course and we will be playing a Texas Scramble competition (my team are defending champions!) - my son Lester can hit the ball 300 yards which is always very helpful...especially in a Texas Scramble.