Two Runners At Cheltenham

The stable has two runners this afternoon at the second day of the Cheltenham meeting.  High class hurdler Ashkazar returns to fences from a potentially reasonable mark, while Laustra Bad contests a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle.  We drew a blank yesterday, although Water Garden produced another good effort when finishing second to Abnaki.  He was trying to concede 15lbs to the winner, so this was obviously a decent performance - although he remains 14lbs above his last winning mark he is still capable of being competitive from his rating of 124.  Meanwhile, the persistent rain yesterday meant that Katchmore was a non-runner.

Ashkazar is one of two runners for the yard at Cheltenham this afternoon

The stable has two runners this afternoon at the second day of the Cheltenham meeting.  High class hurdler Ashkazar returns to fences from a potentially reasonable mark, while Laustra Bad contests a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle.  We drew a blank yesterday, although Water Garden produced another good effort when finishing second to Abnaki.  He was trying to concede 15lbs to the winner, so this was obviously a decent performance - although he remains 14lbs above his last winning mark he is still capable of being competitive from his rating of 124.  Meanwhile, the persistent rain yesterday meant that Katchmore was a non-runner.

*****

It is good news for the racing industry that Sir Henry Cecil has given Frankel the all-clear to resume training.  He is going to bring his superstar along quietly, but he seemed very positive in an interview yesterday.  Racing really does need high profile horses like Frankel to capture the public's imagination.

*****

There is a great picture in today's Racing Post of Sheikh Mohammed on the gallops in Newmarket yesterday morning.  He is kitted out just like one of the boys in his casual outfit.  I don't feel so bad about going to watch our gallops now, although the Sheihk still looks smarter than either me or Martin!

*****

Chelsea had a fantastic result last night as they beat Barcelona 1-0 in the semi-final of the Champion's League.  I thought that Barcelona were neat and tidy and looked to be in a different league to Chelsea but the Blues did get the result.  Still, it will be very difficult for them to get a result in the second leg at the Nou Camp and the boookies seem to agree, with Barcelona priced at just 8/15 to go through.