Josh Gifford

I was very saddened to hear the news that Josh Gifford passed away yesterday morning at the age of 70.  Josh was a real mans man.  When I was playing table tennis exhibitions on the Isle of Wight I can remember the owner of a small holiday camp called Arthurfield Bay telling me stories of the cricket team Josh brought over to the Island to play the locals every year.  Fred Norman, the owner of the camp said the bar takings were always the best of the season when Josh's cricket team were on the camp!  I can still picture their team photo on the wall of one of the bars and they all looked like they had a good time.  Josh was a great old fashioned trainer who will be sadly missed by everyone.  A racing legend.

It is great we have a jumpers bumper card at Kempton on today and it will be great to see the National Hunt jocks in action on the all-weather.  There looks some competitive races so it should be interesting watching.  Unfortunately the news does not look that great ahead of Newbury tomorrow.  The course is covered with 4cm of snow and they are going to make a decision this morning so keep an eye out for news of their inspection.  The fixtures at Warwick and Uttoxeter have already been abandoned for tomorrow but there is more hope of racing taking place on Sunday.  Both Hereford and Exeter are reasonably optimistic but temperatures are not due to rise too much over the weekend so both courses will have to pass inspections.  Fingers crossed they do!  We avoided any snow at Pond House overnight thankfully and tempertures were in positive figuers for the first time in several days at 2c.  The horses continue to their normal routine and David is happy with how things are progressing at home, lets just hope we have some jumping action soon!  It would be great to run Grands Crus at Newbury tomorrow but what will be will be and he will probably head straight to the Festival if the meeting is called off.

   Grands Crus pictured with David & Gerry Supple

Did you watch the FA news conference yesterday when Capallo resigned.  They accepted his resignation and did not try to change his mind which makes it look like they wanted him out.  I cannot believe Harry Redknapp would want the job.  England are not going to win the European Championship.  There are at least three teams better than us.  I know Harry's a good manager but you cannot make a team play better overnight.  England need you Harry but if I was Harry I would get an improved contract at Sours and see out my days at White Hart Lane!