First Win for Eton

        Eton Mes Winner at Uttoxeter 

I cannot believe it is Monday again, what a busy weekend it has been for myself, and enjoyable couple of days but I do wish day today was Sunday! More about that in a moment, but we begin the new week with two jumps meetings at Plumpton, Hereford and we have one runner at the latter, Royal Mer.

Royal Mer runs in the 3.00pm handicap chase over 2 miles and Rian Corcoran rides for the first time claiming his very valuable seven pounds. Our eight-year-old has finished second on both of his starts so far this season and it was a cracking effort at Exeter last time. Fences were taken out that day due to low sun which did not help his cause but he battled all the way to the line and only lost out narrowly in a close finish. The handicapper put him up slightly for that run which is not ideal but he is still well handicapped on his best form and I expect a bold bid this afternoon. The course may not be his ideal but the ground certainly is and this looks a good opportunity for him to resume winning ways with Rian taking seven pounds off. He has a great attitude and deserves to get his head in front.

In Ireland, there is a jumps card at Punchestown while there is one all-weather flat twilight fixture at Wolverhampton.

On Saturday, it was great to get a first win over hurdles for Eton Mes. He was given a lovely ride by Rian Corcoran who had to switch round his main rival approaching the last hurdle and this proved a good move as he challenged over the last and prevailed in a battle on the run in. This was our five-year-old’s first win over hurdles and it came in his first start in a handicap. He carried top weight to victory but Rian’s claim once again was a big help. He has further entries in a few races this week and seems to have come out of the race well, but we will see how he is in the coming days before deciding about plans. I was there at Uttoxeter for my own horse, Jaipaletemps running and while he was not at his best to finish fourth I was delighted to be able to lead up a winner for the team. The race probably came a bit too soon for Jaipaletemps after his win at Taunton but he seems fine since which is the main thing and he will have an easy time and freshen him up before he goes again.

Uttoxeter was a long day for myself but I was up even earlier on Sunday morning to drive the horse box to Cocklebarrow point to point with Jack Pipe and his pony, Little Chiefy. It was a competitive nine runner field and Jack finished fourth. Jack missed the start a little and so was always then at a disadvantage but this was his first ‘proper’ race ever and he and the pony will have learnt a lot from the experience. This was my first visit to the Gloucestershire track and I have to say I was impressed, we have nothing like it down in the West Country and it was more about the social side, shopping and partying rather that the racing itself. There were a lot of people there and it was a nice atmosphere so I would like to go back again. I even saw ex spice girl, Geri Halliwell- Horner there as well!!

It was a great result in the football for me yesterday with Manchester United winning away at Arsenal 3-2. Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa were the other winning teams on the day. There is one Premiership match this evening, Everton are at home to Leeds at 8pm.

Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter finals of the Australian Open tennis after his opponent withdrew through injury. Carlos Alaraz is also safely through and I shall try and keep a closer eye on all the action in the coming days now we are getting down to the final stages.

Someone just called by phone, sneezed then hung up.

I am getting sick and tired of answering these cold calls!

Happy Monday!