Chambertin's Chase Success!

Last season's Betfair Fixed Brush hurdle winner Gevrey Chambertin (pictured above) put behind him his unfortunate experience over fences with success on his seasonal debut.  The novices' chase from Bangor was a strange race with only three runners taking their chance and Gevrey looked to be in a bit of trouble between the last two - he picked up nicely thereafter to score a shade cosily and this experience will no doubt have done him the world of good.  He has now won first time out for each of the last four seasons, although if you were the person who had £600 on to win £200 I would imagine that you had a few uncomfortable moments.

Meanwhile over at Warwick both Bathwick Man and Lady Of Longstone finished third in their respective races.  Bathwick Man never runs a bad race and was only beaten two lengths - the trouble is, he is likely to go up another couple of pounds in the handicap for this.  Lady Of Longstone also ran creditably under her penalty and already looks as though she would be suited by further and some obstacles in front of her.

The winner of Lady Of Longstone's bumper, Always Managing was owned by QPR boss Harry Redknapp.  Harry is a mad keen racing man and he ought to enjoy this moment while he can...QPR will come unstuck at Upton Park on Sunday!  Come on the Hammers!

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with two on the flat and two fixtures over the sticks.  Just for a change the lowest amount of prize money on offer comes from Wolverhampton where they offer just £33,000 across their eight race card.  The jump racing comes from Fontwell and Hexham and I see that champion jockey A P McCoy goes all the way to Hexham for just two rides - as you would expect, they both look to hold sound chances.

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I see that Wetherby will host four flat meetings next year.  It seems like a bit of a shame to me as I always considered Wetherby a jumping track - do we really need them changing the fixture list?

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Louis Steward lost his appeal against his ten day ban for finishing eighth instead of sixth.  I would love to know what difference that really makes as their was no prize money involved for finishing that far down the field and each way punters would be unaffected.  They really should be made to explain their findings...maybe they need to justify their free meal?!

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It looks as though Rory McIlroy is still suffering from his Ryder Cup hangover.  He shot a round of 73 in the Alfred Dunhill Cup yesterday to finish nine shots behind the leader Oliver Wilson.

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