Runner-Up At Plumpton

There are jump meetings at Catterick and Leicester this afternoon, but the stable does not have any runners today.  I could barely believe it when I saw the official going description for Leicester as good (good/firm in places) and I would imagine that is largely the reason why the meeting has only attracted a total thirty-six runners...many of the trainers must have been frightened off.

There are jump meetings at Catterick and Leicester this afternoon, but the stable does not have any runners today.  I could barely believe it when I saw the official going description for Leicester as good (good/firm in places) and I would imagine that is largely the reason why the meeting has only attracted a total thirty-six runners...many of the trainers must have been frightened off.

I thought that the stable runners performed creditably at Plumpton yesterday afternoon.  On Khee came closest to winning when runner-up in the handicap hurdle.  She was only beaten in the last 100 yards having made most of the running and it seems that this uphill finish found her out and her stamina gave way close home.  Even so, she showed that she is well capable of winning a little race of this nature, particularly on a track with a flat finish.

*****

Looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival I see that one of David's horses, Our Father has been subject of some significant money in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final - he is now the 6/1 favourite with Coral, although be warned - he also possesses an entry in the World Hurdle.  He was recently on parade at the Festival Press Day at the yard looking well in himself, as you can see from the picture (right).

*****

One horse that I would be looking to take on in future is the John Gosden trained Derivatives.  This well-bred filly always seems to go off at a shorter price than her form would suggest and I think that even John might struggle to find a race for this one.

*****

I was on my way to the local newsagents this morning to pick up my copy of the Racing Post when I heard an interesting piece on the radio about a chap who is a professional protester.  He has been protesting about almost everything for the last ten years!  How do these people manage to live and where do they get their money from?  If it's well paid, I think that I might apply myself.  I bet they don't protest on a Thursday when they are signing on the old rock'n'roll!

*****

There was a really exciting finish to the England versus Pakistan cricket match.  England won by five runs and the finish could not have been staged better...actually I had better not use the term staged after the spot-fixing allegations that took place earlier in the season!