Beattie's Brave Fontwell 2nd

I thought that our runner in the bumper at Fontwell yesterday, Beattie Green put up a decent performance when finishing runner-up to Amber Cloud.  I agree with those that say it takes a good one to win a bumper under a penalty and I thought that our mare bumped into a decent looking prospect - she was conceding 7lbs to the winner and looks to have a bright future, especially when sent over obstacles.

Watching the three year old hurdle yesterday was like watching a slow motion replay!  The runners, including our Rainy Champion (who finished third) all looked like they struggled with the trip on the rain softened ground - 2m2 1/2 furlongs certainly looks to be as far as they want to go on this sort of going.

All of the rain certainly did nothing to aid the chance of Surfboard in the handicap hurdle - add to that the handicapper had put him up by a whopping 15lbs for winning a modest race at Newton Abbot last time and it was unsurprising to see him struggle.  How can a handicapper put up a 10 year old by 15lbs for winning such a poor race?  He's not exactly unexposed!  Let's hope that he realises his mistake and rectifies it sooner rather than later.  Over at York the Ian Semple trained Blues Jazz put up a good performance to win his sixth race of the season - he has been raised a total of 10llbs for his last four successes...we go up 15lbs for one win - I rest my case!

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I think that someone should write a book about former trainer Albert Davison who sadly died on Friday at the age of 73.  His jockeys would have to jump every hurdle where they were told as when Albert would walk the course, he would loosen one of the hurdles in every flight - that way if his horse hit the hurdle, it would fall down!  Now that is what you call meticulous planning!  It would certainly make for an interesting read.