It finally feels like the jumps season proper has arrived now that the Paddy Power meeting is underway. I’d like to go but I’ve got family commitments – I’m going to Fontwell tomorrow to cheer Mon Michel on in the Tikram hurdle. His future lies over fences but he should have a decent chance of signing off his hurdles career with a …
Supreme team
I went down to Lambourn yesterday and spent the morning with Tom Dascombe. He’s extended his stable by taking over the stables next door – until recently the home of Paul Blockley. I had a look at all my horses. There isn’t a lot to report. All were well. Marine Boy continues to impress with his physique, as does Max …
Decent Chance
Just one runner today – Shepherd’s Warning goes in the 8:20 at Wolver tonight. I saw her at the stables a few months ago and I did a real double take – she’s still small but she’s filled out unbelievably well in front and she looked like a different horse. She should win more races. I wouldn’t rule her out today, …
Thoughts on Melbourne
I’m back at my desk having flown in to a freezing cold Heathrow at 5:30 this morning wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I hardly slept a wink and I’m fading fast – as soon as I’ve done the blog I’m off to bed. I couldn’t have been more impressed with Melbourne – it’s got everything. It’s clean and well maintained …
Cup Day
On Sunday we decided to go on a walk around the town. We went up to the MCG and the Rod Laver Arena, crossed over the Yarra river and came back through the park. There was a lot going on – marketplaces, street entertainers and artists. Although the trees and birds were different to the UK the architecture wasn’t so …
Derby Day
Still in Aus and still suffering from jetlag – I suspect I’ll finally get over it when it’s time to go home. I travelled over with Stephen Morana, Betfair’s Chief Financial Officer, who is also feeling it. I had a busy day Wednesday, finishing late in the office – Stephen was asleep in his chair. We walked back to the hotel – I had an early …
Postcard from Australia
I arrived in Melbourne on Monday night and checked into the Crown Promenade. It was a great flight on Qantas – 23 hours including an hour stop off in Hong Kong. I watched three films – Hancock (starts brilliantly, ok thereafter), Meet Dave (some funny bits) and Batman Begins (only saw half, was enjoying it). Yesterday I spent most of the day …
Clean pair of heels
One runner tonight – Parisian Gift goes in the second at Wolver. He’s a very decent animal and if he was 100% he’d be a strong fancy. Tom’s horses have not been at their best recently but he did have a winner the other day and they may be on the way back. PG has had an annoying interrupted season so …
Major chance
One runner today, and with a very decent chance. Major Eazy, a nice 2yo last year, came back a couple of weeks ago and ran a very nice race at Ascot. We didn’t expect much that day and we were pleasantly surprised – he should be fully fit now and ready to do the business. He has a decent draw …
Imponderables
One runner today – Bea Menace goes in the 2:30 at Lingfield and she has a great chance. First time up she needed the run, although she still came close to winning. Second time at Warwick the ground came up on the soft side, which was a concern before the race and we concluded that she didn’t really like it. …