Winning Spirit!

We kicked off Sunday with a win at Worcester with Spirit of Barbados.  Our five year old got a good ride from Conor O'Farrell and he jumped the fixed brush hurdles very well.  He is quite a progressive young horse and he should be able to win again.  Meanwhile on Saturday Hunterview finished fourth in the big handicap hurdle at Hexham.  He would have probably appreciated a bit easier ground while Bathwick Scanno ran a nice race in the opening Juvenile hurdle of the season.  He finished second and was only beaten just over two lengths.  He jumped really well and so I am sure David will place him to win in the near future.  Our lorry moved onto Perth for racing yesterday from Hexham and I'msingiingtheblues ran a cracker under top weight in the Perth Gold Cup.  

It was a driving finish with four horses in with a chance jumping the last fence.  He finished third and looked to stay the trip on his first try at 3 miles under a strong ride from Johnny Farrelly.  Although I'msingingtheblues has not won a race for a little while he has been running well and surely he must be able to get his head in front in the near future.  Sure Josie Sure ran a good race at Perth again under top weight, she eventually weakened into sixth place and maybe the extra distance found her out on this occasion.  Grey Dream made his racecourse debut in the Bumper and he ran ok,looking like he may need a longer trip in time.  David and MCP flew up to Perth yesterday from Exeter and they had a great day with our owner Jo Tracey as it was her birthday, so many Happy returns Jo for yesterday from all at Pond House.  Our other runner of the day was Frosted Grape at Worcester and she ran a solid race to finish third and unfortuantely looks in the grip of the handicapper at the moment.

                                   Spirit of Barbados

I watched the Carl Froch versus Glen Johnson boxing match late on Saturday night and Froch won against the veteran Johnson.  I could not believe however that the Japanses judge scored the fight as evens.  The other two jusdges had Froch the easy winner so surely they should have an inquiry as to why the Japanses judge scored it this way?!  Johnson looked tired at the end of the fight and I do not think you will see a lot more of him in the ring.  He has been a good fighter over the last 20 years but maybe age is catching up with him.

I must just quickly say something about England's terrible performance in the football on Saturday.  It is lucky there was no extra time as a couple of the Swiss team had to be up early to do there milk rounds!  How did Darren Bent miss an open goal?!  Our footballers are too overrated.  Ferdinand looks to have gone past his best and he and John Terry looked like they had never seen each other before!  I am not sure what the answer is but at least they can all go on holiday now!