Six Runners Today

I thought that Take Over Sivola ran a decent race at Exeter on ground that was probably quick enough for our four year old.  He won on very soft ground in France and once the ground eases over here he should be placed to win.  The race was won by Fortification under one of our jockey's,  Johnny Farrelly and was a first winner for former jockey Kieran Burke - there was certainly plenty of celebrating going on in the winners' enclosure after the race.  It was a meeting to forget for Richard Johnson...he looked to be coming to win his race aboard Captain Chris but the seven year old dived at the last and unseated his rider.  Then, in the very next race he had matters well in hand when unseating from Menorah at the penultimate fence (The Paul Nicholls' trained Sam Winner went at the last after jumping left throughout on this right-handed track).  To top his day off, Johnson also took a tumble in the next...I bet it was a long drive home in his car!

The stable has six runners this afternoon, two at Warwick (Shallow Bay and Southerness) and four at Chepstow (Ladyvie, Vincentian, Master Overseer and Taratata Sivola).  It will probably be the first time we will see heavy ground this season - that's the forecast for Chepstow this afternoon.  There will certainly be some tired horses on this ground - let's just hope that the jockeys can remember to count!  Incidentally, Bathwick Brave is a non-runner in the 2.20pm race at Chepstow this afternoon.

As promised, I have a couple more pictures from yesterday's schooling session and I am sure that many of you will be delighted to see old favourite, the tough as teak Lough Derg was partnered by amateur jockey Mikey Ennis and they enjoyed a little bit of practice over hurdles.  They were followed up by new recruit Enfant de Lune (Tom Bellamy) and as you can see they jumped nicely as you would expect from two seasoned professionals.

  
Above left: Lough Derg and right: Enfant de Lune school over hurdles during morning exercise

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Following David's stable tour that was featured in the Racing Post supplement on Monday, the accompanying video featuring a good interview with David as well as plenty of footage from around the yard and on the gallops is now available in our media vault.  Click here to take a look.

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I have been following the Pakistani cricket fixing case and the sentencing takes place today or tomorrow and the three individuals involved could face upto seven years in jail.  They should be banned from the sport for life, and what about the people that were handing over the money?  Shouldn't the police go after them?  It's not very often that you would say well done to the News Of The World, but without them they would have got away with it!