First Win over Fences for Koi

Koi Dodville Wins At Leicester!

It was fantastic to get another winner for the David Pipe Racing Club at Leicester yesterday thanks to Koi Dodville winning the novices handicap chase under Gearoid Harney.  It was our five year olds first win over fences and it was a memorable first victory for Pond House and for amateur jockey Gearoid Harney.  Koi Dodville was a three time hurdle winner and has been very consistent over fences without winning and it was deserved victory.  He is not the biggest but he jumps well and Gearoid gave him a lovely patient ride.  There may have only been three runners but it was a competitive little race and we were the outsider of the field, I just wish I had backed him, it was the old adage of the outsider of three winning!  It was particularly nice for Gearoid who only joined the team last month, as this was his first winner from only his second ride for us. It was his fifth winner of the season in all and I think he is leading the amateur jockeys table for winners this season so far.

Today we have two runners at Wincanton, Dindin and Astigar.  Dindin runs in the 3.10pm handicap chase over 2m4f with Philip Armson on board.  We carry top weight in this race off a mark of 92 which shows the level of the race so you would hope we would have a good chance.  I think the track will suit and I think this is his best distance.  The likely favourite is the Anthony Honeyball trained Doyannie who won at Plumpton on Monday, two days ago and if turned out again quickly she may be difficult to beat.  Dindin is very tough and genuine and I don’t think he will be too far away again.

Astigar runs in the 4.15pm handicap hurdle over 2m5f with Fergus Gillard in the saddle.  He has been a little difficult to train at home hence he has only run a limited number of times but he definitely has ability and the handicapper is giving him a chance.  I think he will improve on his run last time where he perhaps didn’t see out the three miles as well as we might have hoped and so the drop back in trip will be in his favour. He is about fifth best in the betting and hopefully he can run a big race.

Alongside Wincanton this afternoon there is jumping in Scotland at Musselburgh.  There are also two all-weather meetings at Kempton and Lingfield and there is nothing in Ireland today.  I am a point to point and hunter chase supporter and I am just pleased to see a few more runners in the hunter chase at Wincanton this afternoon.  Magic Saint has the highest rating for the Nicholls team at 137 but he didn’t win last time and I think he has strong opposition from Envoye Special ridden by James King.  He may only be rated 119 but has won his last three and I think will take all the beating in this. 

I have not been watching the test cricket from New Zealand as such but when looking at the result when preparing to write this, I could not believe that England actually lost!  I had to do a double take, especially when it was only by 1 run!! It sounds like it was a great watch with all sorts going on the final day but too much to talk about here! It was described as a thrilling day of action in one of the all-time great finishes!  Not great if you are a England supporter however!

Last night Manchester City beat Bristol City 3-0 in the FA Cup.  Premier League football action returns this evening with two games.  Arsenal kick off at home to Everton at 7.45pm and Liverpool play Wolves at 8pm.  The first game is crucial for both the top and bottom of the table so hopefully it will be a good game and I am supporting Everton for this one!  I shall also be cheering on Wolves for my nan!

I was at a job interview today when the manager handed me a laptop and said: “I want you to sell this to me”.  So I put it under my arm, left the building and went home.  Eventually he called me and said “Bring my laptop back now”.  I said “£500 and its yours!!”  Have a good Wednesday.