Oh No Kauto

The stable has three runners this afternoon at Newbury. Midnight Tuesday and Roi de Rose will both be ridden by Tom Scudamore, while Poole Master will be partnered by regular pilot Chris Honour, who takes a handy 3lbs off his back. Poole Master has won his last couple of starts and consequently has to concede weight to his rivals this afternoon but he looks very promising - he has no fewer than five engagements at the Cheltenham Festival and I guess we will know more after today.

We have an exciting video to share with you from the gallops this morning as World Hurdle entry Dynaste and Our Father (World Hurdle, Pertemps Handicap Hurdle & Coral Cup) worked upsides on the Pond House gallops this morning.  As you can see, they both appear to be in great form with less than a fortnight to go until the Festival.

We have an exciting video to share with you from the gallops this morning as World Hurdle entry Dynaste and Our Father (World Hurdle, Pertemps Handicap Hurdle & Coral Cup) worked upsides on the Pond House gallops this morning.  As you can see, they both appear to be in great form with less than a fortnight to go until the Festival.

Above: Lingfield winner Poole Master bids for a hat-trick this afternoon at Newbury

The stable has three runners this afternoon at Newbury.  Midnight Tuesday and Roi de Rose will both be ridden by Tom Scudamore, while Poole Master will be partnered by regular pilot Chris Honour, who takes a handy 3lbs off his back.  Poole Master has won his last couple of starts and consequently has to concede weight to his rivals this afternoon but he looks very promising - he has no fewer than five engagements at the Cheltenham Festival and I guess we will know more after today.

I thought that Bathwick Brave ran creditably at Taunton yesterday afternoon to finish a close third.  He made up good ground but hung left across the track on the run-in under Johnny Farrelly.  He clearly has plenty of ability and looks sure to win a race when everything falls in place for him.

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Have you ever dreamed of owning a Cheltenham Festival or Grand National runner?  Now you can have both as the ultra tough and consistent Swing Bill (pictured right) is offered for sale to remain in the yard.  The winner of five races and placed on a further twelve occasions (including in Listed and Grade 3 company), Swing Bill put up a career best performance when winning by seven lengths at Cheltenham's Open meeting in November 2011 under Tom Bellamy.  With a rating of 140 he is guaranteed a run at the Festival and has an excellent chance of making the cut at Aintree.  For more information about this exciting and unusual opportunity, please feel free to contact us on 01884 840715.

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It was a real shock to hear that Kauto Star's participation in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is in doubt following a fall whilst schooling last week.  There are still a couple of weeks to go before the Gold Cup so hopefully he will make it there in good form.  Racing needs it's superstars, and even at the age of twelve Kauto Star is still a massive asset to our sport - it would be a real shame if he did not make the line-up.

Bookmakers have reacted by cutting Long Run, as well as our flying grey Grands Crus, while Kauto Star is now as long as 9/2 to win a third Gold Cup.  Forget the prices...let's just hope that he is alright.

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I see that it is trainer Gordon Elliott's 34th birthday today.  I thought that he was a lot older than that - I still remember when Gordon was slim and used to ride winners as an amateur jockey for Martin.  He's filled out a bit since those days - maybe he should cut down on the Guinness?!

It is also Spurs football manager Harry Redknapp's birthday.  Harry is 65 today and he was down at Taunton racecourse to see his runner, the Alan King trained Bygones In Brid in action.  Sadly he didn't get any further than the first before suffering a fatal fall - Harry was very upset and left the course immediately after the race.  It certainly wasn't the best of birthday presents, so I hope you have a better day today Harry.

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On the football front, I see that Blackpool are at home to Hull tonight and I will be having a few quid on the home team at odds of 5/4.