I have just been reading John Francome’s article in the racing post, some good stories about some of his previous racing snipits especially one about former trainer Richard Head who brought his horse to gallop with Fulke Walwyn’s horses, as he kept telling Walwyn that he had a hunter that was better than some of the horses he was riding out for Walwyn, this was before he started training himself. And the horse ended up winning at Cheltenham as a 12 year old !

I was a bit surprised that he seems to rate Harry Cobden so highly, as no doubt Cobden can ride, but for me he is not the bravest, as he very rarely goes the shortest route, he normally rides middle to outside, which for me is a signal that your not the bravest. He is riding very good horses, and to be honest, you find it harder to get beat on horses like he rides, they are pretty much point and steer !

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, jump racing in the UK until the weekend, then the flat returns, only Dundalk tomorrow on the level.

More soon.

Reflecting on the racing yesterday. At Cheltenham in the 3:30 race over 2 miles 5 furlongs which looked a competitive handicap hurdle, Unanswered was a cosy winner, well backed throughout the morning, he eased to return at 2/1, he actually won like a 4/7 shot ! His shrewd trainer Tony Martin played down his chances a bit before the race, but I’m sure that connections had a few drinks last night, as he landed a bit of a ‘touch’ for the Irish.

At Lingfield 3.10 it was good to see Missed The Cut get up on the line to win by a whisker under Jim Crowley, I had heard he was in good shape, but did not back him, as I thought stall 10 may be hard to overcome on quite a tight track, as I do think this horse will be seen to better effect over 12f in time, or a galloping 10f like Ascot, where he won before. But obviously his shrewd trainer is looking at races possibly on the all weather or he may well be heading abroad for some big races over the next few months.

Today has some good races at Cheltenham, in the 3.30, I do like Springwell Bay, who was going away when winning at Carlisle last time, although this is a much better race, and he will need to improve for his last run to win this. But I do think he is the one to beat.
Massive prize money in the 1:33 Auteuil today, a grade 1 hurdle worth £157,000 to the winner ! It will be a good race, with the two at the head of the market meeting again , difficult to split them, but a good race to watch.
More soon.