Ayr Runner

       Harry Cobden Making Headlines

There is one jumps meeting today at Ayr and we have travelled North with Bras D'or to run there.  He runs in the 12.48pm novices hurdle over 2 miles and Jack Tudor rides.  I can't say this has been a long term plan, with the race being added to the card late on but David thought it looked a good opportunity for our six year old to get his head in front for the first time.  He has run well in both of his hurdle starts this season, finishing fifth at Cheltenham and then being runner up to a useful rival at Ludlow last time.  He is a smashing big horse who's future lies over fences and probably over a further distance in time but conditions are heavy up at Ayr with lots of recent rain and so you will need to stay well in this.  Travelling head lad Bob and the horse travelled up yesterday and had a good journey in preparation for the first race.  Jockey Jack Tudor was planning to travel up this morning with some fellow Southern based riders and so fingers crossed it can be a worthwhile trip for us all.  He is currently 11/8 favourite and with the next horse in the betting having to carry a penalty I hope he will find us very hard to beat!

There are two all-weather flat meetings today at Newcastle and Southwell, so nothing in the South for racing fans!  In Ireland they have an all-weather fixture at Dundalk.

Our runner today, Bras D'or, carries the famous green and gold silks of J P McManus and the news broke yesterday that Harry Cobden has been appointed as their new retained rider in both Britain and Ireland.  I think it is a very good move by that operation as Harry is a top class rider and he will have some fantastic horses to ride on both sides of the Irish sea.  A P McCoy left Pond House all those years ago to take this role and like Harry, he was probably given an offer too good to refuse.  Barry Geraghty took over the role when AP retired but they have not had a number one rider in Britain since he retired for the last few years with the various stable jockeys riding the horses.  Mark Walsh has been there retained rider in Ireland for several years and they have had a very successful partnership, including four wins at last years Cheltenham Festival, but mark is now 40 years of age and I imagine approaching the end of his career.  Harry Cobden is 27 years old and in the prime of his career, he is a complete horseman and I am a big fan.  We always use him if we are looking for a jockey and he is available, and he has a pretty good strike rate for us with five winners from 17 rides.  It will leave a big hole to fill in the Paul Nicholls yard but they have helped Harry get to where he is today and I am sure he will continue to be associated with the yard when he can going forwards.  I remember watching Harry ride at the local point to points when he was just 16 and he has come a long way since those days, he has been Champion jockey and he was also Champion Conditional jockey.  He has ridden over 1000 winners and won a lot of the big races.  He takes up this position in May and it will be interesting to see how it works and how much time he will be in Ireland but I would like to wish him well in his new role and shall be watching with interest.

Last night Liverpool beat Barnsley 4-1 in their FA Cup third round encounter while tonight there is another good cup match to look forward to.  We switch cups to the English League Cup semi-final with Newcastle at home to Manchester City at 8pm with the winner looking for a place in the final at Wembley.  

People often ask me how I smuggle chocolate into the cinema.

Well...

I have a few Twix up my sleeve!

Have a good day!