Two For Ffos Las

We have a couple of runners at Ffos Las this afternoon in the maiden hurdle - the promising pair Bathwick Brave and Buddy Bolero.  Conor O'Farrell takes 3lbs off Bathwick Brave's back, while Tom Scudamore will ride Buddy Bolero who posted a good first effort for the yard when finishing fourth in a Fontwell bumper - he makes his first start over timber this afternoon.

  
Above left: (l-r) Buddy Bolero in action with Clever Dick on the Pond House gallops
Above right: Bathwick Brave schools over hurdles 

We have a couple of runners at Ffos Las this afternoon in the maiden hurdle - the promising pair Bathwick Brave and Buddy Bolero.  Conor O'Farrell takes 3lbs off Bathwick Brave's back, while Tom Scudamore will ride Buddy Bolero who posted a good first effort for the yard when finishing fourth in a Fontwell bumper - he makes his first start over timber this afternoon.

It was a very emotional Hennessy on Saturday at Newbury, won in good style by Carruthers.  I don't think that I have ever seen so many jockeys congratulate the winning pilot as they did Mattie Batchelor - he is obviously an extremely popular member of the weighing room.  It was a real family affair - trainer Mark Bradstock is married to Lord John Oaksey's daughter Sara.  Lord Oaksey who is now 82, is the owner/breeder of Carruthers and was watching the race at home on the television - remember he won the race as an amateur jockey aboard Taxidermist in 1958.  To ride, breed an own a Hennessy winner...what an achievement.  Great Endeavour finished a creditable fourth for the stable with jockey Timmy Murphy saying that he just did not quite get home over the last couple of furlongs.

In the Long Walk Hurdle Big Buck's won his thirteenth straight race much as anticipated, while Overturn landed the Fighting Fifth hurdle at Newcastle, lowering the colours of former champion Binocular.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but Binocular just doesn't seem to be quite as good as he was - he looks fit and well but something just seems to be lacking.