Perk's Bold Show

The stable's runner at Uttoxeter, Bold Perk performed creditably at Uttoxeter yesterday afternoon in the staying handicap hurdle.  He looked to have the race in safe keeping but was just worn down by Diddley Dee in the closing stages.  The pair of them came 29 lengths clear of the third and while he didn't win, I am sure that the handicapper will not have been dissuaded from giving Bold Perk a fair hike in the weights this week.  I do wonder how Diddley Dee beat Some Catch though - the pair of them met last time out and Some Catch got the verdict by some margin and there wasn't much of a pull in the weights yesterday...I suppose if the form worked out every time there wouldn't be any bookies!

*****

What a great result for Aidan O'Brien in the Irish Derby at the weekend - to have the first three home in a Classic is a magnificent performance.  Treasure Beach managed to go one better than in the Epsom alternative and it was a great performance - of further interest is that he was bred not far down the road from the yard at Ashley House Stud near Honiton...well done to everyone involved with the horse.

Her Majesty The Queen's Carlton House finished a disappointing fourth and it looks to me as though he does not quite get a truly run 1m4f.  Sir Michael Stoute's horses do not appear to have been firing on all cylinders lately, but even so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Carlton House dropped in trip for his next start.

*****

How times have changed!  It was only a couple of years ago that Salisbury racecourse were throwing out racegoers for eating ice cream in the members enclosure.  Yesterday they were giving away free ice cream to any children that turned up in fancy dress - it is good to see them lightening up a bit, afterall it is these children that we will be looking for to come racing again as adults.

*****

Personally, I have never been a fan of formula one motor racing as I have always thought that it was dull with the cars unable to overtake each other.  I stand by my original sentiment even though there is plenty of overtaking these days - it is largely due to the exploits of current world champion Sebastian Vettel.  Such is the dominance of this amazing twenty two year old and his Red Bull car, that he has won six of the eight races (and finished second in the other two) and the bookmakers are making him a 1/10 shot to follow-up with another title.  It looks to be all over even though there are still eleven races of the season remaining - Vettel is already 75 points (or three clear wins) ahead of his nearest rival and it is a similar story in the constructors championship with Red Bull on a massive 295 points.