Big Talent!

David couldn't fly to Wetherby yesterday because of the fog and he duly missed a winner when Mr Big Shot ran out a very impressive winner of the National Hunt novices' hurdle. He still looked to be as green as grass on only his second ever racecourse start but he clearly has an abundance of latent ability. He should improve further with experience and given that he has the build and pedigree of a staying chaser, to win a bumper and a two mile hurdle suggests that he is another very exciting prospect for owner Caroline Tisdall. As you can see from the photograph above, he is a handsome chap - Mr Big Shot that is, not Ashley Farrant!

I was at the yard yesterday helping to oversee the gallops.  It is very much a transitional time at Pond House with the likes of Dynaste now enjoying a well-earned retirement and David has a lot of youngsters in the yard at present, several of them which do not even have names yet.  I will be keeping an eye on them with interest over the coming weeks and months - it is a tall order, but the great thing about racing is that you never know...perhaps there is another Dynaste among them?

This afternoon there are jumps cards from Catterick and Ludlow while there are a couple of all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Newcastle.  The stable does not have any runners this afternoon although stable jockey Tom Scudamore has picked up a couple of outside rides at Ludlow while Conor O'Farrell travels all the way to Catterick for one mount - I don't think I will testing the 'one ride theory' today.

The orange one, Matt Chapman got called out by Barry Orr yesterday.  Chapman made a comment about the Betfair Head of Media's fitness so Orr challenged him to a race for £1,000, the winnings going to the Injured Jockey's Fund.  Chapman turned down the challenge so his mouth is clearly a lot faster than his legs.

I would like to add my condolences at the sad passing of trainer Nick Ayliffe at the age of 82.  He was very much a part of the fabric of National Hunt racing in the area and he gave Grand National winning jockey Brendan Powell his first winner in Britain on a horse called Button Boy at Windsor.  One of Nick's son's, Martin has been an assistant at Pond House for many years.

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So much for talk of retirement!  Serena Williams still looked like an awesome talent as she beat our last hope, Joanna Konta in the Australian Open tennis yesterday.  She could still have a few years in her at the top!  Meanwhile, in the men's tournament, legendary player Roger Federer beat Zverev convincingly in just 92 minutes and now faces Wawrinka in the semi-final.  Form is temporary but class is permanent.

It is the second leg of the Football League Cup semi-final tonight between Liverpool and Southampton.  Southampton were much the better side in the first leg but are only 1-0 up and you can back Liverpool at 10/11 to qualify for the final.  Meanwhile Leeds are 3/4 to win at home to Nottingham Forest.

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I fell over on my arm the other day and had to have an operation on my funny bone...I was in stitches for weeks!

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