Murray Strikes Gold!

We only had three runners in the one race at Newton Abbot on Saturday and despite an 8lbs rise in the weights for finishing runner-up on his previous start, Raslan still performed creditably to finish fourth in the valuable staying handicap hurdle.  He could return in a fortnight for the race he has won twice in the past.  It is a blank week on the jump racing front and there are only four flat cards at Ripon, Kempton, Wolverhampton and Carlisle.  Carlisle should certainly be interesting - it is a lady jockeys' card.  A couple of the races have attracted fields of seventeen runners...I didn't realise we had that many lady jockeys!  I wonder if there changing room is going to be big enough, or indeed if it will have enough mirrors?!

We only had three runners in the one race at Newton Abbot on Saturday and despite an 8lbs rise in the weights for finishing runner-up on his previous start, Raslan still performed creditably to finish fourth in the valuable staying handicap hurdle.  He could return in a fortnight for the race he has won twice in the past.  It is a blank week on the jump racing front and there are only four flat cards at Ripon, Kempton, Wolverhampton and Carlisle.  Carlisle should certainly be interesting - it is a lady jockeys' card.  A couple of the races have attracted fields of seventeen runners...I didn't realise we had that many lady jockeys!  I wonder if there changing room is going to be big enough, or indeed if it will have enough mirrors?!

Over on the gallops, one that caught my eye was recent recruit and Irish point to point winner Mr Trilby (pictured below) who worked nicely.  I notice that he is currently for sale (further details of which can be found on our horses for sale page) and he would provide someone with plenty of enjoyment.

Above: Mr Trilby (nearside) on the gallops

*****

What an amazing weekend of sport at the Olympic Games and Usain Bolt proved to be every bit as good as his name by defending his 100m title in the second fastest time ever recorded - it was some sprint final with the four fastest men on the planet competing against each other.  Considering he has not had the best of preparations this was some performance and bodes well for his chances of doubling up in the 200m.

It was a great weekend for Team GB too with Andy Murray produced a great effort to beat Roger Federer in the final of the tennis and pick up a well deserved gold medal.  He thrashed the seven times Wimbledon champion (as well as Djokovic in the semi-finals) and now that he has finally beaten two of the big three that have stood in his way for so long, maybe he will be able to convert that sort of form in a Grand Slam tournament.  I must admit, I still have my doubts but it would be nice to see the Scot lift a major trophy.

I have finally worked out why the Olympics are only held every four years - it must be because they take so long to complete all of the events...there are no less than 20 events taking place today.