Off To Exeter!

The stable has three runners at Exeter this afternoon.  Businessmoney Judi runs in the handicap hurdle at 4.20pm and will be partnered by stable jockey Tom Scudamore.  We also have two runners in the following race, the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle - Ladyvie (pictured above) will be ridden by Sam Welton and Clever Dick who is partnered by Francis Hayes.  It will be interesting to see how young Sam gets on - he has ridden one winner over hurdles and has his first ride for the yard this afternoon.

It is a shame that Newton Abbot were forced to abandon Friday's fixture yesterday afternoon, but not altogether a big surprise.  They have had almost four inches of rain in the space of a week and there was standing water on the track - this was due to be their last meeting of the season and they have been really unlucky this year, losing a number of meetings due to the unseasonably high volume of rain this summer.  There is always a great atmosphere at Newton Abbot (especially when the sun shines!) and they deserve to have better luck with the weather next season.

*****

It was good to see Frankel's preparation ahead of his race at Ascot next weekend going smoothly.  The monster looked to be in great form as he worked upsides Midsummer Sun before bounding 20 lengths clear in a matter of strides with the minimum of fuss.  The impressive part is that the other horse is no mug...he has an official rating of 102 and that makes him distinctly useful in his own right.  Better still though, Sir Henry was there to oversee his superstar's preparations and I hope that he is well enough to go racing next week.  I can't wait to see Frankel in action again, although it is sad to think that this is probably the last time.  It is very good of connections to keep him in training at four, but from a personal greedy perspective, wouldn't it be great to see him next year?!  

*****

I can't believe that people will watch Audley Harrison fight (and I use the term fight in it's loosest possible form).  Some of us mugs will even pay!...Perhaps it is us that needs a punch to the face?!