Bangor Saint

    Saint John Henry - Winner at Bangor

Saint John Henry won nicely at Bangor yesterday, his second win of the season.  It looked like the longer trip and more testing ground suited our five year old and he kept galloping all the way to the line under a good ride from Tom Scu.  He his not the biggest but carried 11st 12lb to victory well, off a mark of 106 and he looks a good staying prospect for the future.  This was David's 72nd winner of the season.  Today we have four meetings, two jumps cards at Taunton and Ludlow plus flat cards at Lingfield and Kempton.  If you're in the North of England - bad luck!  David runs Rathlin Rose, Courtlands Prince and Bladoun at Taunton and Good Value and A Hairy Koala at Ludlow.

 Bladoun won well first time out of the season at Leicester last time on soft ground staying on strongly over 2 miles.  The step up in distance today should suit round the sharper track of Taunton.  He has gone up 13 pounds for that win, mind you he did win by 13 lengths!  A similar display will give him every chance in this stronger race.  Rathlin Rose was second on his stable debut at this track last time behind a useful sort.  He does have to improve a bit but this winning Irish pointer should hopefully run well again.  Courtlands Prince is making his hurdling debut after running two promising races in bumpers but this looks quite a hot novice hurdle.  Both runners at Ludlow, Good Value and A Hairy Koala do have to improve on recent runs and look like they have a bit to find this afternoon.

I hope you all backed Knocklayde Express yesterday?!  I did say Richard Johnson had gone up to Sedgefield to ride her for Kim Bailey and the mare duly won.

It is Bernard Parkin's 85th birthday today.  I have got a great cartoon done by him of me sitting on a horse phoning MCP, telling him "no top jockeys available, just think of the price we will get when you tell the bookies my age!"  MCP got it for my 50th birthday.  He has a wicked sense of humour!  Bernard is fantastic and there are many bits of his work at Pond House.  Happy Birthday Bernard!

My team West Ham got a draw at Everton, Everton scored in injury time.  The Hammers should have won 3-0.  The good news for Hammers fans is that Song has retired from International football.

If you apply for tickets for the next Ashes series there are 51 boxes to fill in with your title, such as Mr, Mrs or Doctor etc!  Even one for queens!  Allow plenty of time!