Birthday Boys!

Happy Birthday to two of our owners, Gino Paletta and Wayne Clifford.  According to the Racing Post Gino is 54 - I'm not sure if that is English time or Italian time!  Anyway, Gino kindly looks after myself and David when we stay for the Grand National meeting at Aintree and I do mean looks after us.  He is married to an angel called Jeanette (and she must be to put up with Gino)!  Happy birthday Gino...54 - who are you kidding?!  Our stable sponsor, Wayne of Bathwick Tyres also celebrates his birthday today and it would be great if Bathwick Man could give him a birthday winner at Uttoxeter today.    Wayne is a normal person and very sensible...

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It looks as though David could be doubly represented in the Galway Plate next week with Qulinton and Matuhi.  Qulinton was the impressive winner of last week's Summer Plate at Market Rasen, although he would have to compete from a higher mark in Ireland, while Matuhi was last seen winning a decent handicap at Haydock.  They would be David's first runners at Galway - there's good prize money on offer and plenty of Guinness to be consumed!

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There was a cloud burst at Catterick yesterday afternoon - in fact, it was so severe that the course had to have it's ground staff sweeping the excess water from the track.  They needed to move the rails, and even Clerk of the Course Fiona Needham could be seen with broom in hand (which received a great cheer from the assembled crowd!).  In fairness, they did a great job to shift all that water and keep the meeting on course.