River Wins Again

      River Run Free Winner at Leicester

River Run Free won for the second time over fences at Leicester yesterday following up his chasing debut win at Lingfield last time.  He once again travelled and jumped well throughout and made smooth progress to win quite cosily on the run in.  This win was from a six pound higher mark and I am sure the handicapper will put him up a few more pounds for this but I would hope his rating will stay in the 80s with more progress to come.  He handles testing conditions well, jumps very neatly and accurately and should improve for a slightly stiffer test in stamina as well in due course.  He is a six year old to stay on the right side of and the good new is that he is well this morning.  He doesn't have any immediate entries or plans but we will see how he is in the coming days and go from there.

Today, there are two jumps meetings at Kelso and Fakenham but the stable does not have any runners.  Flat racing comes from Southwell and Newcastle on the all-weather while in Ireland they have flat action at Dundalk this evening.

Well done to Sergeant Nick Oliver who won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown yesterday.  Nick is brother to trainer Henry and has ridden for us in the past and ridden at Pond House.  He gave Frenchy Du Large a great ride and it was a nice performance in testing conditions.  It was a star studded day at Sandown yesterday with stars of the big screen present, filming as part of a new Guy Ritchie movie.  Sir Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rosamund Pike were all there and filming between the first two races.  Jamie Snowden was also involved in the filming and we will all have to look out for the film 'Wife and Dog' in due course.

There is one Premier League match this evening, Brighton are at home to Chelsea, 8pm kick off.

I just asked by nine year old son what he learned in school today.

He said "apparently not enough as I have to go back tomorrow!"

Happy Friday.