Across The Card Double

The stable's fine run of form continued yesterday with an across-the-card double at Ludlow and Doncaster courtesy of Swing Bowler and Faasel, giving us seven winners in the last five days and a seasonal total of 75.  Swing Bowler was given a very confident ride from Timmy Murphy and won with plenty more in hand than the official winning margin of 1/2 length would imply.  She jumped well and extended her unbeaten record to three with this pleasing hurdling debut.  She certainly has a good turn of foot which will stand her in good stead in better races.  Over at Doncaster, Faasel rolled back the years when landing the veteran's chase under Tom Scudamore.  Faasel has run some cracking races in defeat (including when runner-up at the last two Cheltenham Festival's), but this was his first success since November 2008 and provided him with a much deserved success.  I expect the result would have made owner Jim Ennis smile!...Jim used to look after me and Martin when we would venture up north.

I keep saying what a great idea these veteran's races are - the racegoers love to see these old favourite's do battle and there is inevitably a good pot up for grabs.  It gives them a great chance to win another race, although I may be a little biased as David seems to be mopping them up with the likes of Tamarinbleu, Painter Man and Faasel!

Well done too to Tom Scudamore who recorded his 50th success of the season aboard Faasel.  That's a pretty good effort when you consider that he missed the first three months of the season through injury.

We have two runners this afternoon at Lingfield, Diamond's Return and Martial Law.  Just think, Martial Law has raced in France and Australia and now finds himself visiting Lingfield on a wet and dreary day...I bet he would rather be back in sunny Oz right now!

*****

I was saddened to see that comedian Frank Carson has died at the age of 85.  Frank used to play golf at my local club, Churston - I say we played golf, but I was usually too busy holding my stomach as I was laughing so much - it was the way he told'em!  Frank would never stop telling jokes and put up a Frank Carson Trophy at the club that we play for every year.  He was a great man and will be sadly missed.