Ascot Duo

The good news is that racing goes ahead everywhere today and we have two runners at Ascot.  Royal Defender makes his hurdling debut in the 2.40pm novices hurdle and Jack Tudor rides.  Our five year old beat a good horse in and Irish point to point and then we ran him twice in bumpers last season.  He is a horse we have always quite liked but he was probably a bit weak last season and has grown and strengthened after a summer at grass.  He was unluckily brought down in his last bumper at Chepstow where he would have been placed, after which we decided to give him the time that he needed.  This looks quite a warm race on paper with several horses having cost a bit and everyone will be hoping their horse is a potential future star.  Our fella jumps well and while he may improve a little for the experience and he is a big price, I don't think he will be too far away at the finish.

 Chauffeur Driven makes his racecourse and stable debut in the concluding bumper on the card at 4.15pm with Jack Tudor in the saddle.  Our four year old son of Solder of Fortune is the winner of his only start to date in an Irish point to point and he goes nicely at home.  While his future lies over further and over fences it will be good to get him out and see how we get on.  This race looks competitive on paper and we are about 7/1 in the betting and I think he can go well.

While there were no inspections at Ascot, Wetherby did have to pass one which thankfully it did at 7am this morning.  Their feature race is the Charlie Hall Chase at 3.00pm.  There may only be four runners but it is a high class field and Bravemansgame heads the market at 4/11.  The favourite made a winning reappearance in this race twelve months ago before going onto win the King George and I don't see why he won't be winning this race again today.

Yesterday, Paricolor ran okay at Newmarket to be sixth.  This race was a pipe opener before going back over hurdles next time.  I would have liked to have see him run a little more enthusiastically but jockey Cieren Fallon said the ground was sticky and hard work and he was happy enough with our seven year old.  He said he will win on the flat going forwards but his next intended target is back over hurdles at Cheltenham in a couple of weeks time.

I watched a bit of the Breeders Cup from Santa Anita last night and it was an impressive first winners for Jockey Tom Marquand and Trainer Mick Appleby with Big Evs winning the Juvenile Turf sprint.  I didn't quite manage to stay away for the Juvenile Turf over 1 mile but this was a 17th Breeders Cup victory for Trainer Aidan O'Brien with Unquestionable winning for Ryan Moore.  I shall try and stay awake a little longer this evening as there is plenty more good racing to watch, particularly the Breeders Cup Turf race at 9.50pm where Derby hero Auguste Rodin is favourite for the race ahead of fellow British raiders Mostahdaf and King of Steel.

There is plenty of Premiership football action today with the early kick off match being Fulham at home to Manchester United at 12.30pm.  There is also a tasty looking match at 5.30pm with Newcastle against Arsenal.  Plenty of sporting action to keep us all entertained today!

I arrived early to the restaurant and the manager said: " Do you mind waiting a bit?"

I said "No".  "Good" he said.  "Take these drinks to table nine!"  Have a great day!