Promising Debut

We drew a blank yesterday afternoon with our best result of the day a second courtesy of Pond House newcomer Heure de Gloire.  She ran an encouraging first race for the team in the juvenile fillies' novices' hurdle at Huntingdon, sticking on in good style under Fergus Gillard having been headed at the penultimate hurdle.  Conceding a penalty to the winner (who had been tried in Listed company on her debut), she actually came out the best horse at the weights and will certainly have benefitted for the experience.  Given the manner in which she stuck to her task, a stiffer test of stamina could prove helpful and she can win plenty of races based on this evidence.

Miss M was beaten when falling at the last at Taunton.  She was returning from an absence of 200 days and has historically come on for her first run after a break, although she could probably do with a bit of help from the handicapper.  Rathlin Rose was bang in contention on the home turn in the staying handicap chase but could not go with the leaders in the straight.  He would probably prefer a more galloping track, a comment which also applies to Shoot To Fame who was not beaten far in the mares' novices' handicap hurdle but lacked the tactical speed of the leaders in the closing stages.

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Haydock, Market Rasen and Hereford.  David does not have any runners this afternoon with our next racecourse representatives likely to come at the weekend at Ascot.

In more sad news for racing, it was announced this morning that prominent flat owner/breeder Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has passed away at the age of 75.  His blue and white colours were carried to victory by some of the most famous horses in recent years such as Nashwan, Dayjur, Salsabil and most recently Battaash.

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Neil Robertson comfortably beat in-form Jack Lisowski 10-5 to reach the semi-final of the Cazoo Tour snooker championship at Celtic Manor yesterday.  The former world champion established an early 6-2 lead and was rarely in danger.  Lisowski was far from gracious in defeat claiming that a new tip on his cue was the reason for defeat, although with three centuries from the Australian as well as a number of other sizeable breaks, he would have struggled even if on the top of his game.  Robertson will now face the winner of today's match between another former world champion, Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson.

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Did you hear about the snail who was mugged in an alley by two slugs?
When asked for a description of his assailants, the snail said, "I'm not sure, it all happened so fast."