Mixed Emotions

Yesterday was a real example of the up's and downs of horse racing.  The stable enjoyed another across the card double with Heure de Gloire and Itacare both obliging, but the celebrations were tempered by the loss of the lovely Seventeen O Four at Ffos Las.  Heure de Gloire benefitted from dropping back to the minimum trip and the application of first time blinkers when making all under Philip Armson at Ffos Las, whilst Itacare ran out a ready winner of the 2m5f handicap hurdle at Ludlow on his first start after wind surgery.  That procedure clearly helped, as did the sounder surface.  The owners of both horses have been very patient and it is great that they have been rewarded.

It is a terrible shame to lose a promising young horse like Seventeen O Four, who landed awkwardly after a mistake two out at Ffos Las and was immediately pulled up by Fergus Gillard.  Our thoughts are with his owners and of course, Susie who cared for him every day at Pond House.

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Huntingdon, Chepstow and Sedgefield.  David does not have any runners this afternoon, although we will be back with runners at Musselburgh and Newton Abbot tomorrow.  Olympe de Gouges, a winner last week at Doncaster, embarks today on the long journey up to Musselburgh for the Go North Final, whilst Morgenstern will stay closer to home at Newton Abbot.

*****

The Gibraltar Open snooker gets underway this afternoon with 32 matches taking place.  With only three days of play, there are a lot of games to get through, but fortunately for organisers they are only best of 7 frames throughout.  Defending champion Judd Trump is in action today, along with other big names such as Neil Robertson, Mark Williams and Kyren Wilson.  The action is covered by Eurosport.

*****

If there's one thing that really upsets me, I consider that to be a good day.