Two For Newbury Friday

I can't wait for there to be a bit of jumping back on the television, but in the meantime we have declared a couple of runners on the level for Newbury on Friday.  Togiak has been declared for the 1m1f conditions stakes and I managed to get a picture of him completing his build-up on the gallops - we have also declared Shallow Bay ahead of his debut for the yard and he will be ridden by title chasing Kieren Fallon.  While I was on the gallops I was also able to get a shot of exciting ex-French recruit Top Wood - he showed some decent form in the French provinces and looks a nice prospect.

I can't wait for there to be a bit of jumping back on the television, but in the meantime we have declared a couple of runners on the level for Newbury on Friday.  Togiak has been declared for the 1m1f conditions stakes and I managed to get a picture of him completing his build-up on the gallops - we have also declared Shallow Bay ahead of his debut for the yard and he will be ridden by title chasing Kieren Fallon.  While I was on the gallops I was also able to get a shot of exciting ex-French recruit Top Wood - he showed some decent form in the French provinces and looks a nice prospect.

  
Above left: Togiak and right: Top Wood

*****

I was amused to see the picture on page fifteen of today's Racing Post - it features young Willy Twiston-Davies, Choc Thornton and Aidan Coleman conducting a photo shoot for Thomas Pink.  It really is amazing...you can give some people smart new clothes, a little time in the make-up department and a new barnet and they still look like they have been dragged through a hedge backwards!  Some bright spark comented, "what were they modelling, gloves?!".

*****

I see that former top American jockey Cash Asmussen is still able to talk with the best of them.  He says, "If you come over with a big mouth and a big pay cheque you've got to expect some flak if things don't work out".  I still remember Cash winning aboard Sweet Glow at Royal Ascot many years ago - he showed no interest in riding the horse until MCP told him that he thought it would win...then, surprisingly he was all ears!  Anyway, he was told to drop him, slowly come through the field and win on the line - Cash loved the instructions and carried them out to perfection - a world class jockey with attitude.

*****

What an equaliser from Borussia Dortmund striker Ivan Derisc against Arsenal last night - an amazing volley.  Arsenal came away with a draw and that looked to be a fair result.
Manchester United take on Benfica tonight and it just goes to show how well United are playing right now that the bookmakers make them a shade of odds-on.  I may be tempted by a little accumulator on the football tonight - Basle, Inter Milan and Manchester City all look like worthy favourites and will give me a bit of interest as I keep switching channels...the wife will be upset again!