Scu's Successful Surgery

I am pleased to report that Tom Scudamore underwent successful surgery on his dislocated shoulder on Monday afternoon.  Unfortunately the Pond House stable jockey is still likely to face a spell on the sidelines of around four months as his arm recuperates following a fall from the David Bridgwater trained The Giant Bolster at Aintree's Grand National meeting.  I am sure that Tom will be climbing the walls (figuratively speaking!), but at least this is a positive piece of news.

Tom Scu underwent successful surgery on Monday

I am pleased to report that Tom Scudamore underwent successful surgery on his dislocated shoulder on Monday afternoon.  Unfortunately the Pond House stable jockey is still likely to face a spell on the sidelines of around four months as his arm recuperates following a fall from the David Bridgwater trained The Giant Bolster at Aintree's Grand National meeting.  I am sure that Tom will be climbing the walls (figuratively speaking!), but at least this is a positive piece of news.

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I always enjoy looking through the jockeys and trainers tables and comparing stats.  I know that it is still early in the flat season, but Richard Fahey has already turned out 48 winners yet he is still only second in the championship.  Richard Hannon has had thirteen fewer winners although he has accumulated more prize money and as such is leading the way in the title race.  One trainer who I notice is enjoying something of a renaissance is Alan Bailey - Alan used to train some very good horses for Terry Ramsden before going quiet for a few seasons.  Anyway, he has move yards and is back among the winners - he is a good trainer to follow if there is money flying around for any of his runners.

A couple of trainers who do seem to be struggling though are Gerard Butler and Paul Cole.  I guess they must be down on the number of horses in the yard - they are both capable trainers, but you can't win if you don't have the ammunition.  Personally, I still think that the trainers championships (flat and jumps) should be decided by the number of winners trained.

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I noticed in yesterday's Racing Post that there has been further criticism of the fixture list.  The number of times I have gone on about it in this column I have lost count!...it's not rocket science - all you need is a man with a map of the country!  I see that on Sunday 14th August there are just two meetings on at Pontefract and Southwell and they are just 62 miles apart!  Sunday is a day when the general public are most likely to be able to go racing, yet there are no meetings at all scheduled in the South of England - brilliant!  Just imagine a nice, sunny day at Plumpton or Fontwell with all the Londoners and their jellied eels - it doesn't get much better than that!

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Only a few day's left to have a go at our competition (don't forget that it is a Bank Holiday this weekend, so get your entries in quickly!):

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.