No Runners Monday!

There are two jumps meetings this Monday at Plumpton and Musselburgh, but the stable does not have any runners. David Noonan travels to Sussex for a few rides while our conditional Gearoid Harney also has a ride there. The first race goes off at 12:40pm while the Musselburgh card gets underway at 12:25pm.  There is one flat meeting this evening at Wolverhampton, the first race is at 5pm and there is no racing in Ireland today.

On Saturday, Rebel Angel ran okay on hurdling debut at Cheltenham. It was a tough race and she was ridden to run well and while the principles were clear, there was a close battle for the minor honours and we weren’t far out of third place. She didn’t jump too badly seeing it was her first attempt and she will have learnt a lot from that experience. She has come out of the race well and there will be easier opportunities for her.

Today we have the staff Christmas breakfast back at the yard. We have pre-ordered our various Baps to include bacon, sausages and eggs and it will be washed down with a drop of Bucks fizz. This is a long-standing tradition at Pond House and something that is enjoyed by all. We have our Christmas meal on Wednesday evening at a local restaurant as well, so it is a busy week for all the staff.

You may all want to look out for the BBC red button at 6:05 pm this evening as there could be some entertaining action from the London International horse show. AP McCoy captains a team against Ryan Moore at show jumping, all in aid of the injured jockeys fund. McCoy’s team features former champion flat jockey, Jim Crowley and jockey Kielan Woods, Lily Pinchin and Harry Cobden. It will be a first for Harry, who confesses to have never show jumped before. I think he will do alright though! AP will be looking to repeat last year‘s performance when he recorded the fastest time by anyone on his daughter Eve’s pony. On Ryan Moore’s team is Tom Scudamore, Sam Twiston-Davies, Joanna Mason, and Harry Skelton. I have seen videos of Tom Scu practising on his intended amount and while it is all done in a good cause, no doubt it will be very competitive!! I wouldn’t like to call the winners but it should be good fun to watch.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to go and watch the rugby, Exeter Chiefs beat Munster in the European cup competition. It was a good game with the home side coming from behind to win a thrilling match. Tommy Wyatt, son of Clare, who does work for us, had a good game. I came home to watch the Liverpool against Manchester United match which was definitely not as exciting!! Liverpool were bad and Manchester United were worse!! The game ended 0-0 but it was probably not a bad point for United. Manchester City could only manage a 2-2 draw on Saturday while Arsenal won yesterday and head the premiership table. There are no games this evening but action returns on Tuesday with the quarter-finals of the EFL cup, more news on this tomorrow.

What do cows tell each other at bedtime?

Dairy tales!! Happy Monday!!