Quinte Our Only Runner

Today there are three meetings planned - two over the sticks at Fontwell and Sedgefield as well as an all-weather flat card at, you guessed it - Lingfield!  The good news is that fortunately both turf meetings have passed early morning inspections and have been given the all-clear to race.  Quinte du Chatelet (pictured above, courtesy of www.thejockey.com) is our only runner this afternoon and he participates in the 2m6f novices' handicap chase at 1.10pm - he will be partnered by Tom Bellamy who takes a handy 7lbs off the topweight's back.

As you can see from the following short video, we have enjoyed some lovely bright sunshine and we took the opportunity to pop a few over fences.  The horses looked magnificent as they flew the obstacles...

Schooling Fences Dec '12 from David Pipe on Vimeo.

It was Nicky Henderson's 62nd birthday yesterday and what better way to celebrate than with a winner?  The trainer saddled Ericht to win the first at Fakenham yesterday and the young lad, Gary Derwin (claims 10lbs) that rode the six year old also looks after him at home...I bet they were celebrating last night!  Another 10lbs claiming jockey, Paul O'Brien won the 2.30pm race aboard Who Owns Me - if they are capable jockeys, 10lbs is an awful lot to take off of a horses' back.

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Believe it or not, a number of years ago MCP and myself went to look around the derelict Holland House Stables on the Rowley Drive in Newmarket.  Martin was considering the possibility of having a stable up there.  I see that after all this time, plans have finally been submitted to build a state-of-the-art 60 box yard there...it will certainly make an amazing facility.

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I see that Wincanton has a waiting list for hospitality boxes at their Boxing Day meeting.  It just goes to show you how popular the fixture is.  Personally I would start covering the ground with frost sheets now to ensure that there is no doubt about the fixture going ahead - the racecourses certainly cannot afford to lose their biggest fixtures.

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I cannot believe that Arsenal want Nani to replace Theo Walcott - why not just pay Walcott the money he wants, or the money that they are going to pay Nani?  A simple solution!  The same comment applies to them as Manchester City - if Arsenal would like to employ my services as consultant, they can contact me via the yard!