Passing of Brian Kilpatrick

We are sorry to bring you the terribly sad news of the passing of leading owner Brian Kilpatrick who has died of a heart attack at the age of 83.  Brian had been a great supporter of the stable since the 1980's, providing both Martin and David with a whole host of top class horses running in his famous green and red colours.  Among them was the fabulous Sabin du Loir who was probably the best 2 1/2 miler that Martin ever trained - I remember travelling to Huntingdon to see him beat Gold Cup winners Nortons Coin and Desert Orchid in the 1991 Peterborough Chase under a great front-running ride from Peter Scudamore.  Brian (pictured above with his last winner, Count Danilo) was a true gentleman and I fondly recall all the times we would have a little side bet about who would finish higher in their respective leagues; his beloved Rochdale or my Hammers...I paid Brian out quite a few times!  Our sport will be a lot poorer for his loss this morning.

There is plenty of action to look forward to again this afternoon - two meetings on the flat at Chester and Southwell as well as three jumps fixtures at Carlisle, Wincanton and Newton Abbot.  We run Keep The Cash at Newton Abbot, Milor de la Borie and Guess Again at Wincanton and Red Seventy on the level at Chester.  Red Seventy (pictured right) looked to be an improved performer switched to hurdles this winter and it will be interesting to see how he gets on reverting to the flat, especially now tackling this 1m2 1/2f trip.  He is  reasonably treated on some of his old flat form and should run creditably under Willy Twiston-Davies.

I would love to know how the ground at Chester can be good?  Every race on the card was a slow time with two of the races being run in times 7.1 and 6.8 seconds slower than standard.

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It seemed to take them an age to get on the score sheet, but in the end Manchester City did enough to score another win on their way to the Premiership, beating Aston Villa 4-0.  A point against West Ham will give them the title.

I hope you followed me and backed Sunderland at 11/10 yesterday as they beat West Brom 2-0.  Gus Poyet has done a great job to keep them up.

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How can someone who is supposed to be serving thirteen life sentences be in an open prison on the Isle of Sheppey?  He just strolled out the front door and went on to commit another crime.  I think I will cancel my holiday to Leysdown!

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I see that Katie Price is going to get divorced for about the fifth time (yes, she is beating me!).  She doesn't seem to have an awful lot up front...I am talking about her judgement!

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