More Jocks On The Sidelines

What a great leveller this sport of ours is...just look at poor little Willie Twiston-Davies for proof.  Only last month the sixteen year old jock was on the floor in tears having just parted company with hot favourite Baby Run in the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival with the race seemingly at his mercy.  Three weeks later he was on top of the world having atoned for that misfortune by landing the Aintree equivalent aboard the same horse.  Yesterday the poor lad broke his leg in a fall at Stratford and will need surgery to help repair it.  He says, "It's my first serious injury and I'll need to have an operation.  I'm in pain but it's got to be done".  The lad is probably still doing a paper round, yet he still sounds a lot braver than me!

What a great leveller this sport of ours is...just look at poor little Willie Twiston-Davies for proof.  Only last month the sixteen year old jock was on the floor in tears having just parted company with hot favourite Baby Run in the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival with the race seemingly at his mercy.  Three weeks later he was on top of the world having atoned for that misfortune by landing the Aintree equivalent aboard the same horse.  Yesterday the poor lad broke his leg in a fall at Stratford and will need surgery to help repair it.  He says, "It's my first serious injury and I'll need to have an operation.  I'm in pain but it's got to be done".  The lad is probably still doing a paper round, yet he still sounds a lot braver than me!

Talking of injured jockeys, there are no fewer than twelve riders on the sidelines at present including our own Tom Scudamore who is facing around four months out after dislocating his shoulder.  I don't know of another sport where injuries seem to come around so often and I never cease to be amazed that jockeys would want to compete in the Grand National - they even phone around all the trainers to try to get a ride!

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Congratulations to jockey David Dennis who completed the London Marathon yesterday in 3 hours 57 minutes.  That seems like a very good time to me, especially when you consider that it probably takes longer to drive 26 miles around the M25!  David says that he got through twenty miles in 2 hours 55 minutes but then he had to walk as he "didn't quite get the trip!".  Leighton Aspell also completed the course in the amazing time of 3 hours 29 minutes - well done to both jockeys...a fantastic achievement.

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David returned from his trip north of the border yesterday afternoon.  He flew up with Leanne and Jack on Friday and I understand that he had a thoroughly enjoyable time and that the Scottish hopsitality was excellent! Below you can see a picture of David with the local owners, the Tracey's.

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What a great for Stoke to beat Bolton 5-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals at the weekend.  They now play Manchester City in the final at Wembley - I hope that it is not another nightmare trip for their supporters.

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Win a Ladies’ Night Package for Two on Ladies’ Night at Exeter Racecourse featuring Tony Hadley Live after Racing on Tuesday, May 3

Tony Hadley, widely regarded as one of the finest vocal talents in pop history, is set to perform at Exeter Racecourse on May 3 at its most glamorous evening of the year and we have two Ladies’ Night Packages to give away for this fantastic night out.

The prize for two includes premier tickets, a one course meal in the Denman Room and a glass of wine or drink of choice, a racecard and a betting voucher.

Tony Hadley’s performance coincides with an evening of fashion, racing and champagne. As well as six exciting races and music, there are £1,000’s worth of prizes to win for the best dressed ladies including a romantic night for two, including dinner, breakfast and a bottle of champagne at Combe House, Gittisham, stunning jewellery from Siler and Sand and gifts from Leonard Coombe Master Saddlers and Country Life at Newton Abbot.

The evening is also the chance to mingle with the crowds, make new friends and relax in the racecourse’s gorgeous surroundings.

Tickets for the race night and concert are priced at £20 (Premier), £15 (Grandstand and Paddock) and £5 (children aged 17 and under) and are available now by contacting the ticket hotline on 0844 5793005 or by visiting www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk.

To enter our competition please answer the following question and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send it on a postcard by April 23 to David Pipe Ladies’ Night Compeition, Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XS.

Which band was Tony Hadley in?

Don’t forget to include you name, address and contact details.