Max at Fakenham

Today we have just two meetings, a flat card at Nottingham plus a jumps card at Nottingham.  There are small fields at Fakenham but that is probably due to the quickish ground.  David has one runner, Max Do Brazil in the 5.20pm race, a novice handicap chase over three miles.  Our seven year old has to give plenty of weight away on his chasing debut but he has schooled well at home and he does have ability.  It looks an open race despite there only being four runners and there is good prize money of £10,000 up for grabs.  I am sure the track is disappointed with the number of runners on the entire card with six being the maximum field all day but everywhere desperately needs some rain.

Talking of prize money, there is some good prize money on offer at Nottingham also.  They even have a listed race worth £40,000.  It was nice to see Lester Piggott at Epsom, if is one of my all-time greats and I even named my son after him! I even saddled a few horses that Lester rode for Martin back in the day.  I remember particularly Quick Story at Goodwood and Lester's saddle straps were always too big so I changed them for some of our own!  Lester noticed and he told me to put his back on.  I told him I thought the saddle might slip as his were too big but he just held his hands up and said these won't let it slip - he was right of course!  Great memories.  I also met him in France more recently and he remembered me which was lovely.  My favourite memory of Lester was one day when we went into Barney Curley's house and Barney and Lester were both sat at the kitchen table.  I wonder what they were talking about before we walked in!

I see that old West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green has retired.  He is only 39, I say only as I thought I goalie could go on for longer.  After all they don't actually run about too much!  Talking of goal keeper I see that Stoke want £30 million for Jack Butland.  He is currently on England duty but let it be know he wants a Premier League side, cheap at £30 million!!

I can always count on you to be totally unreliable!  Have a nice day.