Racing at Wincanton

               Vieux Lion Rouge

I am pleased to report that racing goes ahead at Wincanton this afternoon.  The planned morning inspection was cancelled after no rain overnight and temperatures did not drop below freezing.  That is good news for the yard as David has seven runners at the track.  There are also two all-weather meetings taking place today at Kempton and Southwell.  Vieux Lion Rouge is the first runner of the day and he is looking to follow up his debut hurdling success at the track last time out.  He is now four from five career starts and made a very pleasing debut last time.  Three of his wins have come on heavy going so he will handle conditions today.  He will go off the short priced favourite but he does look the form horse of the race.  There is a valuable handicap hurdle race on the card and David has three horses in the race.  Bygones Soveriegn (Tom Bellamy), Ainsi Fideles (Tom Scu) and Martial Law (Conor O'Farrell) all look to have some sort of chance so it will be interesting to see who comes home in front out of the trio! Bygones Sovereign has been in excellent form of late, having won at Ascot on his penultimate start and then running well in the Pertemps race at Warwick last time.  Ainsi Fideles would surely have won last time out at Sedgefield if he had not have fallen at the second last and is the choise of Tom Scu.  Martial Law is returning from a long absence but is in good form at home and gets in the race with a light weight. 

Close House runs in the novice limited handicap chase.  This is only his third start over fences and he ran well enough behind Oscar Whiskey at Cheltenham last time.  He is a course winner and will find this easier so fingers crossed for a good run.  Party Girls runs in the mares hurdle race but she has to improve greatly on recent runs to figure.  Davy Doubt is the final runner of the day from Pond House.  He is making his stable debut and goes okay at home.  He is an Irish point to point winner so should stay, which is what they will need to do this afternoon!

Jamie Spencer rode a double yesterday before heading off to the sunshine at Meydan.  It is amazing how many of our jockey's ride out there.  The first race is a 16 runners handicap and there are 13 of our jockeys riding in it.  Mind you, the prize money is good, £63, 352.01 which is better than the £1600 on offer at our all-weather tracks!

Last night in the football, Man City destroyed Spurs 5-1 at Whita Hart Lane.  Man City's reserves would get into most Premier League sides!  Mind you, their wage bill is about £639,000 a day which is unbelievable.  It was a great point for my beloved West Ham at Chelsea though last night.  Never mind David!!

Yesterday I was at Pond House playing table tennis with top Irish amateur jockey Patrick Mullins.  Even with my bad shoulder I managed to come out on top!  It is lucky he is a good jockey!  Have a nice day.

    
     Chester, David Thomas & Patrick Mullins