Even Colder

Unfortunately racing at Cheltenham and Doncaster today has been abandoned already due to frozen ground and I am not sure we are going to get any jumping action today although Hereford now have a 9.30am inspection.  We were due to have one runner at Cheltenham, Thomas Mor in the 3pm novices hurdle.  I was looking forward to seeing him step up in class today but that will have to wait to another day.  He has won his two novice hurdles very easily and these would have told us a bit more about him this afternoon, he was third in the betting at 9/2 and I think he would have run well!  He does have an entry at Newbury on Wednesday but looking at the weather forecast I am not sure there is going to be that much racing in the coming days.

If Hereford goes ahead then we have one runner there, Itacare in the 3.07pm handicap hurdle over three miles.  Tom Scudamore will make the switch to ride with Cheltenham being off.  It looks a good race for our five year old and even though he has to carry top weight I think her has a good each way chance at 12/1.

Yesterday Bangor was called off but our lorry actually made it to the track.  They all had a quick rest before turning around and heading home again!  No harm done and it is just one of those things, nobody's fault but just a little frustrating!  Racing did go ahead at both Cheltenham and Doncaster and even though racing was delayed slightly at Doncaster Al Roc ran in their first race on the card and pulled up.  Mr and Mrs Wilson have decided to retire him after the race and he is going to live with Bex who has looked after him while he has been at Pond House.  'Alan' as he is affectionately know has only been with us a year but has been a real star, winning four racing and being placed many times and winning over £45,000 in prize money in that time.  In his career he has won 12 races and over £429,000 in prize money.  He is a wonderful horse and we will have a very happy and long retirement with Bex not far from the yard.

David was at Cheltenham sales last night but unfortunately came home empty handed.  It was a very competitive market and horses were making a lot of money.  He was under bidder on two horses that he really liked but you have to have limits on what you value these horses and it was not meant to be on this occasion.  There is now a little break in the sales over the Festive period but there will be plenty more up for sale in the New Year.  #

In the World Cup yesterday, Brazil are now out after losing on penalties to Croatia who progress to the semi finals.  I watched the other quarter final last night and was disappointed that the Netherlands lost to Argentina on penalties.  Having got themselves back into the match after being 2-0 down I thought they might go on to win it but the Argentinian goalkeeper, Martinez saved the first two Dutch penalties which ultimately cost them.  Argentina have some great players but I really hope they don't win the World Cup - they are just not very nice!  The behaviour and conduct on the pitch leaves a lot to be desired and then I have seen a great photo which captures them gloating and rubbing the victory directly in the Dutch players faces after the winning penalty.  It left a bit of a sour tastes in my mouth to say the least.

Today we have England of course playing their quarter final match against France this evening at 7pm.  It will be tough for our boys and I think it will be a very tight game but we are playing well and fingers crossed they can win!  In the other quarter final this afternoon, Morocco play Portugal at 3pm.  Portugal looked very good in their last match to the Moroccans have done very well so far and it will be a tough match.

A cop left a nice note on my windscreen to let me know I'd park my car correctly...it said parking fine.  Have a good day - come on England!