A good winner yesterday for my subscribers, Iley Boy 6.45 Kempton was a big drifter in the betting from 13/8 -11/4, but it did not stop him battling on well under useful apprentice Cieran Fallon.  It looks as though Fallon has inherited his parents riding talent, hopefully he has no real weight issues, and can keep improving.

Today has Huntingdon, Wetherby and Limerick in Ireland holding jump racing and Chelmsford City and Newcastle on the level.  The ground is drying out, Huntingdon ground is good,  and racing looks competitive, I am interested in a few at the track, so will watch the first race, as I want to see how fast or slow the going looks, at Wetherby in the first race at 1.50, I thought Fransham had the best form, although he did not find much for pressure last time, Swordbill could be his biggest rival, if he jumps better than he has in his two tries over obstacles.  Conchita 1.40 Huntingdon tries hurdles today for the first time, she is a winner of a bumper, and has a good chance of getting off the mark in this race.

Chelmsford has some potentially nice horses running at the track,  Derevo 2.30 has been heavily backed in the morning, he showed a lot of promise on his only run last year, it looks a good race for him to start 2019.  He may well be a typical Sir Michael Stoute type, who will improve lots with experience.

I have read about Brendan Powell retiring from the training ranks.  He has had a few lean years winners wise over the last 5 years, it is really hard to keep going when you have under 20 horses, hopefully he will continue in some capacity within racing, as his experience as a former jockey and trainer can be helpful for young people who are considering racing as a career path.