RIP Sir Henry Cecil

There was terribly sad news for all of racing yesterday as legendary flat trainer Sir Henry Cecil passed away.  Not only did he possess sublime skill in preparing his racehorses, he was a fascinating man and thoroughly decent to boot.  I will always remember the time when I was lucky enough to stay at his famous Warren Place stables with MCP - Sir Henry dismissed his housekeeper for the evening and insisted on cooking a meal for me and Martin.  MCP wanted chips, so after much searching through the kitchen, Henry finally found a chip pan and cooked him his chips.  He also prepared a pheasant but one of the dogs managed to get hold of it and I have an enduring memory of Henry chasing this dog around Warren Place!

Henry spoke at length about his horses and jockeys...Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen and Pat Eddery.  It was without doubt one of the most interesting evenings of my life - there I was, an East end lad, sitting listening to two of the greatest racehorse trainers ever to have lived...it was a real privilege.  I still have a picture on my wall from that visit, it shows me holding one of Sir Henry's Derby trophies and I am with him, MCP and AP McCoy - that picture will never come down.  A truly great man, Sir Henry Cecil will be missed by everyone.

*****

Today there are five meetings taking place at Beverley, Hamilton, Haydock, Kempton and Yarmouth - the stable has no runners this afternoon.

We enjoyed a nice winner at Worcester last evening when Basil Fawlty (pictured right) finally broke his duck in the 2m7f handicap chase.  He had looked a little unlucky on his previous start when falling at Exeter when still travelling well but put matters right here to score by a hard fought head under Tom Scudamore.  There was a stewards' enquiry but he kept the race - he should be capable of following-up during the summer.

Lola Galli showed the benefit of her racecourse debut by showing improved form to finish third in the bumper and she looks to be an interesting prospect, while Bad Girls didn't appear to see out the trip having travelled strongly for much of the race, while Home Run looks as though he needs to come down a bit in the weights.

The good thing of the evening, Man Of Leisure made it three wins in seven days and apparently connections are now going to give him a month off.  Personally I would turn him out again quickly before the handicapper can have his say.