Winning Fools

          Only Fools winner at Ludlow

It was great to get a win with Only Fools at Ludlow yesterday in the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club.  This was a deserved first success for our four year old over hurdles as she has been pretty consistent and a little unlucky not have won before.  She really appreciated the step up in distance and travelled strongly towards the rear of the field and jumping well before Jack moved her through to challenge before three from home.  She went a few lengths clear from two out before she was  tiring close to the line as her rivals closed in but she just held on to win. 

 I don’t think the handicapper can be too harsh for this victory so hopefully there is more to come from her over this sort of distance.  She is tough and genuine and well liked in the yard so everyone was pleased for ‘April’ as she is affectionately known as at home. She does hold an entry at Taunton later in the week but I would imagine she is unlikely to be out again quickly.

Time Interval made an encouraging hurdling debut at Ludlow yesterday.  He travelled and jumped well to be fourth and seemed to enjoy himself in what looked a competitive looking race.  He has won a few races on the flat and may appreciate the ground even softer than it was yesterday but it was a good starting point to build on.

There are two jumps meetings today at Southwell and Sedgefield but the stable does not have any runners.  In Ireland they have jumping action at Tramore.  The card at Southwell does have to pass a 7.30am inspection for racing to go ahead.  16mm of rain fell at the track on Monday leaving it heavy, with all their recent problems, hopefully they can go ahead. 

The good weekend racing action continues thick and fast as we look forward to the December Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday and the Fighting Fifth hurdle at Newcastle.  While we have nothing to take on Constitution Hill in the North East we will be represented by Remastered in Berkshire.  Our runner up from last year was confirmed yesterday and there are currently 23 left in the race.  He runs this year from an eight point higher mark so it will be tough but he loves Newbury and has come out of his prep run over hurdles at Aintree last time well.  He is about 16/1 in the betting and hopefully he has a solid each way chance.  I do see that temperatures are set to fall below freezing towards the end of the week, fingers crossed the weather does not cause any disruption.

I see the Henderson team have entered Shishkin in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on Saturday.  He refused to race at Ascot on Saturday so his team have had a last minute re-think on plans.  It would be the 173 rated chasers first ever start in a handicap race and would certainly will keep most of the horses out of the handicap!  We have Make Me A Believer entered and we would be one of those! It will be interesting to see they plan to run later in the week.

Last night in the football…Fulham 3 - Wolves 2 

Champions League football action returns this evening and Newcastle have a tough game away to Paris Saint Germain.  Manchester City have an easier assignment at home to RB Leipzig and are already in a good position in their qualifying group.

In my job interview I was asked what some of my good qualities were…

Well my doctor always calls me patient!

Have a good day!