Mighty Father

Our Father was an impressive winner at Ascot yesterday.  At one time I thought Shoreacres had slipped the field but Timmy Murphy did not panic and he won quite nicely in the end.  I did say that I thought Piraya would run a big race and he ran very well to finish fourth at 20/1.  Meanwhile at the other jumps meeting of the day the ground looked bottomless at Uttoxeter.  In fact, it started snowing quite hard during the afternoon.  Wings of Icarus ran okay in ground that was probably a bit too testing for him.  In another race at the track I was very impressed with young jockey Edward Glassonbury.  He was riding Rugged Jack for Victor Dartnall and his saddle slipped completely inside the final furlong  and he did very well to stay on board, let alone win!  He will be my ride of the week.

David has five runners today, three at Ascot and two at Newcatle.  I am pleased to report that both of these meeting go ahead after morning inspections.  At Ascot we have Water Garden, Massini's Maguire and Dynaste who runs in the Lough Derg Long Walk hurdle.  Our recently retired stable favourite 'Douglas' is also on board the Ascot lorry as he is going to lead the runners on a parade before the big race.  As we know Lough Derg absolutely loved running at Ascot and when he gets there this afternoon I am sure he will feel like taking part!  It is a fitting tribute and very kind of Ascot to name the Long Walk hurdle after our star and you will be sure that our boy will enjoy is day out!  I can also report he has been asked by Fontwell racecourse to parade before their big race, the National Spirit hurdle in February.  This was the race Lough Derg won a few years ago and reduced Tom Scu to tears!  Put a note in your diaries if you would like to go and see him at Fontwell.  Dynaste has to take on the mighty Big Bucks and he has some task, the superstar has won just under £1 million in prize money which is some achievement.  Whatever happens there is some exciting racing action to watch this afternoon.

Close House was a nice winner at Towcester on Thursday and he is pictured below with owner Roger Brookhouse.  He was winner 48 of the season for David and with Our Father adding another to the tally yesterday it will be great if David can bring up the half century of winners this afternoon.

My football bets for today are Newcastle 17/20 and Charlton at 13/20.  I am going to have a double.

Lee Westwood has shot rounds of 60 and 64 in the Thailand Golf Championships and is 11 shots clear of the field with two rouns still to go.  Paddy Power have already paid out on Westwood.  They only have him at 3/1 to shoot a final score of 30 under which is tempting but he must be due for a normal round soon!  Have a ice day.