Gallant Second

We have had better weekends with the yards runners but Dynaste ran a cracker to finish second behind the mighty Big Bucks.  At one time it looked like our six year old had got the super star at it but like all brilliant horses Big Bucks came up the hill so powerfully to win by seven lengths.  Dynaste won £10,000 for finishing second and I am pleased to report he has come out of the race well and we look forward to taking on Big Bucks for the third time in March!  Notus De La Tour also ran well to finish third at Leopardstown yesterday.  He was beaten a fair way in the Irish Arkle but it was another good performance.  The winner Flemenstar was extremely impressive but our lad probably ran as well as last time and picked up some nice place prize money.

I must just say how unfair I think the handicapper has been to another of our weekend runners, The Tatkin.  He put her up 13 pounds for winning a very moderate race at Hereford and he has certainly stopped our mare from winning again.  In the end Tom Scu pulled The Tatkin up at Ffos Las but she is fine this morning.  Bladoun was our only other runner at the Welsh track where conditions were extremely testing and he ran another fine race to finish second in the Bumper.  He was beaten a fair way by the winner but it was another promising effort and we are looking forward to the four year old going over hurdles.  Well done to Tom Scu who was aboard the winner of the Bumper, God of the Kop and that was his third winner of the afternoon so a very good weekend for him with a Cheltenham winners on Saturday as well!  

David has just one runner today at Plumpton.  Bamboleo runs in the Bumper at Plumpton with Tom Scu in the saddle.. He was a promising fourth at Doncaster on his debut and with that experience under his belt we hope he can run well this afternoon.

It is currenlty snowing at Pond House but thankfully it is not settling at the moment!  I have been out with my camera again over the past few daysand below are a couple of photos I captured. Bathwick Brave may run at Taunton tomorrow and is working upsides unraced youngster Regal County, while Bobby Ewing is nearing a return to action after an injury layoff.
  
       Bathwick Brave & Regal County                               Bobby Ewing

What a comeback for Arsenal yesterday who came back from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the FA Cup mind you the Gunners still look dodgy at the back.

Tiger Woods played better than I thought he would in the golf but you have to put in four good rounds together at the highest level to have a chance of winning.  It was a good win for Robert Rock who was only a club professional just nine years ago selling golf balls and tees!  He will never need to do that again!

What a final on mens tennis at the Australian Open.  Novak Djokovic played his second best five setter to win the championship in one of the best tennis matches I have ever seen.  I hope you all enjoyed the great sporting action over the weekend folks, it was certainly good and I can't wait til next weekend!