Three At Fontwell Today

I thought that Bathwick Man put up another good effort yesterday when finishing third under a big weight in the competitive handicap hurdle.  Even so, he does look weighted up to the hilt from a mark of 120 - let's hope the handicapper gives him a chance to win another race by dropping him a few pounds.  Today we have three runners at Fontwell - Arab League, Tasheba and Vertige Dore and we look to have some solid chances.  Tom Scu takes the ride aboard Arab League who came within a nose of scoring on his hurdling debut last time, Conor O'Farrell takes the mount on Tasheba and Timmy Murphy rides the luckless Vertige Dore.

I thought that Bathwick Man put up another good effort yesterday when finishing third under a big weight in the competitive handicap hurdle.  Even so, he does look weighted up to the hilt from a mark of 120 - let's hope the handicapper gives him a chance to win another race by dropping him a few pounds.  Today we have three runners at Fontwell - Arab League, Tasheba and Vertige Dore and we look to have some solid chances.  Tom Scu takes the ride aboard Arab League who came within a nose of scoring on his hurdling debut last time, Conor O'Farrell takes the mount on Tasheba and Timmy Murphy rides the luckless Vertige Dore.

It's been another lovely start to the day and I understand that (fingers crossed!) the weather is set fair for a few more days yet.  I have a couple of pictures from the gallops from earlier in the week, this time of decent flat performer Shallow Bay on the gallops upsides Effervesce.  Effervesce is due to run at Warwick on the level on Monday and will be ridden by Neil Callan.  I also have a photograph of recent recruit Great Mates in action - we were joined by "Matey's" owner Terri this morning with her daughters Charlotte and Lauren for second lot.

  
Above left (l-r): Shallow Bay and Effervesce, and right: Great Mates on the Pond House gallops

I was amused to read Richard Hughes' thoughts about the new whip guidelines in today's Racing Post.  He says that he rode some lazy horses for Martin Pipe and had to pull them up only for A P McCoy to get on them next time out and perform wonders to win.  Hughsie says that the horses used to laugh at him, but AP succeeded as he was stronger...let's face it Richard - AP is stronger than all you flat boys put together!

I was very impressed by Caravan Rolls On in the 1m4f handicap at Ascot yesterday afternoon.  Peter Chapple-Hyam's three year old won with a bit in hand despite not travelling especially well early on and then meeting a troubled passage in the home straight.  He looks to be one to keep an eye on as he is improving fast, looks sure to appreciate a little further and could be some way ahead of his current rating of 80.

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Flat jockey Philip Robinson is calling it a day after 33 years in the saddle.  I think that it is a great shame as Philip has been a great favourite of mine for many years and I'm sure that he still has plenty more to offer.  He is 50 now, but that is not especially old for a flat jockey - just look at Lester Piggott.  He was a great tactician and judge of form and when the money was down for one, it wouldn't normally go astray.  Philip was champion jockey in Hong Kong in 1988/89 and 1989/90 and I would imagine he made some serious cash during that stint - a great jockey and a pity that he is retiring.

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I have been enjoying a good run of things with the football so far this season and hope that my run continues this weekend with a treble - I will be rooting for Chelsea (away to Bolton) at 4/7, Fulham (at home to QPR) at 21/20 and Southampton (home to Watford) at 6/10.  You heard it here first.