Can Katchmore Collect?

Although we did not enjoy a winner at Worcester yesterday afternoon, Ladyvie belied her 25/1 odds by finishing a creditable fourth in the handicap chase.  She was just collared for third close home and on this form she should be up to scoring again over fences - I thought that beleaguered conditional jockey Tom Bellamy gave her a really good ride.  Earlier in the day Tom had picked up a seven day suspension for his winning ride aboard Local Present for Brian Ellison in the Hands & Heels conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle for using his whip down the neck of his mount in the closing stages.  It is a real shame as up until that point he had given his mount a fine ride - indeed, favourite backers probably owe Tom a drink!

Although we did not enjoy a winner at Worcester yesterday afternoon, Ladyvie belied her 25/1 odds by finishing a creditable fourth in the handicap chase.  She was just collared for third close home and on this form she should be up to scoring again over fences - I thought that beleaguered conditional jockey Tom Bellamy gave her a really good ride.  Earlier in the day Tom had picked up a seven day suspension for his winning ride aboard Local Present for Brian Ellison in the Hands & Heels conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle for using his whip down the neck of his mount in the closing stages.  It is a real shame as up until that point he had given his mount a fine ride - indeed, favourite backers probably owe Tom a drink!

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon at Doncaster, Carlisle and Kempton on the flat and a jumps card at Uttoxeter.  The stable has three runners at Uttoxeter (the final jumps meeting before another enforced ten day break) - they are Molly Oscar, American Art and Katchmore.  American Art drops back into selling company in which he thrived last season, although this looks to be a very hot race for the grade.  Katchmore (pictured right) seemed to improve for the step up in trip last time to record a personal best performance when winning at Ffos Las, so let's hope that he can continue on the upgrade this afternoon.

It is the start of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster this afternoon and by the weekend we could be hailing the first Triple Crown winner since Nijinsky in 1970 if Camelot can lift the Leger.  There is plenty of action to look forward to before that though and one of the races I always enjoy is the Leger Legends race.  The course always seems to attract a who's who of great racing characters from several generations and it is great to see them competing against each other.  Julie Krone will be bidding to defend her title that she won twelve months ago, but please someone explain to me...how has Luke Harvey qualified to be a "Legend"?!  You will certainly notice Luke's style while watching the race, sorry, I didn't mean to say style!  Anyway, Luke is a great sport and I hope he realises that I am only joking.

*****

As I feared the Ukranians were a different kettle of fish to the Moldova team that England rolled over at the weekend.  Our players are overrated and overpaid - they were lucky to get away with a draw last night with England only taking a point courtesy of a late Lampard penalty.  I think they are probably the worst England team of the last twenty years (and that is saying something!).  Personally I think we should have Harry Redknapp as manager - he is at a loose end in Bournemouth at the moment!  He would certainly have his team wound up ready to perform.

Meanwhile Wales were beaten 6-1 by Serbia.  The less I say about that one, the better!