MAY 2017
|
Monday
29 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest: Fontwell Park: Midnight Jitterbug (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) finished 3rd and Londonia (Graeme
McPherson/Charlie Deutsch/EPDS Racing) won
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 1 furlong & 145 yards] (11 ran); he pulled
very hard and also veered towards the exit on the run to the line, so it was
fortunate that he won! Kelso: Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/William
Featherstone/EPDS Racing) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (6
ran); the ex-Alan King-trained Fred Le Macon finished 3rd. Uttoxeter: Rockchasebullett (Fergal O’Brien/Paddy
Brennan/EPDS Racing Twitterati Racing Club)
finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (7 ran); he may well have won
had he not made an error at the final flight, he was leading at the time and
was caught by the rallying Mrsrobin. It was an expensive mistake, as the winner
took home £3,249 and the runner-up only £954.
Beat That finished as runner-up to Brother Tedd in the Beginners’ Chase; Black Corton
was a non-runner, so 3 ran. The Nicky
Henderson-runner is Might Bite’s half-brother. And
today’s results at Huntingdon: Celtic Artesan (Rebecca Menzies/Jamie
Hamilton/EPDS Racing) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs
& 171 yards] Potterman (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Standard Open NH Flat Race (6
ran); Wayne’s 10th
winner of the
season. My
productiveness slowed down during the weekend ... I didn’t get much done
yesterday because I spent the afternoon getting ready to go out; I attended ‘Remembering Fred’ starring Strictly
Come Dancing’s Janette and Aljaž yesterday
evening. The couple are engaged and
will be getting married this summer, somewhere in the UK. They will then travel to Slovenia to
celebrate with his family, before heading to Miami to celebrate yet again
with hers! It was an excellent show;
I’ve enjoyed all the dance shows I’ve attended this Spring. The couple have already published the dates
of their 2018 tour! The nearest is in
Watford, on a Saturday, towards the end of May. I tried to
watch the final episode of Grantchester, which I’d
recorded, when I got home yesterday evening; I was too tired and probably
only managed to see around 10 minutes before I dozed off to sleep in the
armchair. I didn’t hear any of the thunder or see any lightening that was
reported to have occurred in the Southeast during the early hours. Today I
planted three fuchsias in a trough in the front garden, having removed the
pansies which had been killed off by the recent heat. I was concerned when I found numerous
woodlice in the trough compost but, having researched on the internet, I
discovered these are harmless to the plants. My ‘diary-time’ has been somewhat
curtailed today, because Djokovic was playing his
first round match at the French Open; I had to watch the match in order to
catch glimpses of the lovely Andre Agassi who is now his coach!!! However, I did do some knitting whilst the
match was on, so it was not totally unproductive ... |
|
|
Saturday
27 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest at Worcester: Adrrastos (Jamie Snowden/Aidan
Coleman) finished 3rd in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (9 ran). Minella Treasure (Noel
Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (4
ran). Thady Quil
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 4th in
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] (12 ran). Viking Mistress (Martin
Keighley/Richard Johnson) won the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (13 ran); Martin’s 2nd winner of the season. There is one result to report today, from Ffos Las: Fortified Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (5 ran). Tomorrow’s runners of interest are as follows: Fontwell Park: 16:05 Midnight Jitterbug (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) & Londonia (Graeme
McPherson/Charlie Deutsch/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 1 furlong
& 145 yards] Kelso: 16:25 Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/William
Featherstone/EPDS Racing) – Novices’ Handicap Chase; the ex-Alan King-trained
Fred Le Macon also runs in this race. Uttoxeter: 17:15 Rockchasebullett
(Fergal O’Brien/Paddy Brennan/EPDS Racing Twitterati
Racing Club) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Beat That runs in the Beginners’ Chase at 14:35;
his rivals are Brother Tedd, Black Corton plus AN Other. There’s further news to report from the Goffs HIT sale.
Authorized Too was withdrawn from the sale but Bingo D’Olivate was purchased by trainer Gemma
Anderson and will be syndicated for her Racing Club at a fee of £30 a
week. She bought him for just £1,800;
she’s based near Carlisle. I hope he’s
happy at his new stable and in his new role, bless him: https://mobile.twitter.com/GemEJAnderson/status/867876387302125568/photo/1 I’m a numpty; I came
home yesterday from work without my long-distance glasses. Amazingly, I wore my PC glasses for my walk
home and didn’t even realise there was anything wrong. Because my eyesight changes regularly these
days, I only have one pair of the current prescription, so I am relying on my
previous ones until Tuesday. I’ve been slaving over a hot laptop today,
working on my diaries. Yesterday
evening, after my evening meal, I planted out 24 annual begonias in the wall
surrounding the patio. I still need to
remove the pansies from the trough in the front garden before planting three
fuchsias in their stead. The
weather has been good in my area today, apart from a short downpour early
this morning. I saw one flash of lightning,
but didn’t hear the accompanying thunder.
Cartmel’s fixture was hit by particularly
bad weather and, as a result, was abandoned part-way through. |
|
|
Thursday
25 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest at Warwick: Talkischeap (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Hurdle (7
ran). Midnight Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the
Novices’ Handicap Chase (6 ran). Wayne’s 8th and 9th winners of the season. There are four runners of interest tomorrow, at Worcester: 19:20 Adrrastos (Jamie
Snowden/Aidan Coleman) – NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 19:50 Minella Treasure
(Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 20:20 Thady Quil (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
– Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] 20:50 Viking Mistress (Martin Keighley/Richard
Johnson) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle There’s
further news from the Goffs’ Horses In Training
Sale. Philip Kirby purchased Canford Chimes for £31,000 and Tom Malone bought Ardamir for £26,000.
Handsome Sam was purchased for £10,000 by Patrick Bailey. Graeme
McPherson bought two further horses today – Cuil
Rogue from Nicky Richards and My Charity from Oliver Sherwood. |
|
|
Wednesday
24 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest at Southwell: Lerichi Belle (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) was a non-runner in the
Mares’ NH Novices Hurdle Dynamo (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies)
finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] (8
ran). Fairmount (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th and Samson The Man (Noel
Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (8
ran). McCabe Creek finished 2nd of 5 in his race. There are two runners of interest tomorrow, at Warwick: 14:10 Talkischeap (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:20 Midnight Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase The Goffs Horses In Training sale is taking place over two
days, so Canford Chimes and Ardamir
haven’t been sold yet. However, Altior’s half brother Silverhow
has been sold to Colin Tizzard for £60,000 and Vaniteux has been sold to David Pipe for £125,000! I notice
that Graeme McPherson bought three horses today – Cranbrook
Causeway, Sammylou and Ballina
Lady. Meanwhile Jamie Snowden has purchased
one – Dr Waluigi.
|
|
|
Tuesday
23 May 2017 |
|
|
At Brighton today, for the
record, Whatalove finished 7th of 15 in her race,
whilst Dalavand finished 11th of 14 in his. There are runners of interest at Southwell tomorrow: 19:20 Lerichi Belle
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Mares’ NH
Novices Hurdle 20:20 Dynamo (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs
& 209 yards] 20:50 Fairmount (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) & Samson The Man (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Standard Open NH Flat Race I notice that McCabe Creek has changed yard, and
runs in the 18:20 for trainer Caroline Bailey. Here are further details about yesterday’s
incident at Redcar, when a filly ended up in the canteen! https://www.racingpost.com/news/news/the-redcar-runner-who-preferred-a-canteen-to-her-stable/286689 And it was a lesson learned by the previous
trainer of Too Many Diamonds; the horse won 4 times in 8 days for Dan Skelton
having been claimed from a seller. The Goffs store horses
sale took place today and Alan King purchased four 3-year-olds – a bay
gelding by Shirocco, a bay gelding by Presenting, a
chestnut filly by No Risk At All and a chestnut gelding by Getaway. Jamie Snowden also bought a horse, a bay
gelding by Sulamani. A number of Alan King’s horses have been
withdrawn from tomorrow’s Horses in Training sale – Timoteo,
Holy Street, Winner Massagot and Pique Rock. Kim Bailey’s Harry Topper has also been
withdrawn. However,
Alan King still sends Handsome Sam to the sale, along with Apple Tree Stud’s Canford Chimes and Ardamir. |
|
|
Monday
22 May 2017 |
|
|
Happy retirement Annacotty
Annacotty is fit and healthy
but, as the handicapper still has a firm grip on him, connections have
decided to call it a day. Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest at Towcester: Somewhere to Be (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman)
finished 4th in the NH Maiden Hurdle (7 ran). Baraymi (Jamie Snowden/Micheal Nolan) finished 5th and Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Twitterati
Racing Club) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 34
yards] (7 ran). Dontminddboys (Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste/EPDS
Racing) finished 2nd and Fine Jewellery (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won the Novices’ Handicap
Chase (8 ran); Jamie’s 3rd winner of the season. Once again, my ATR tracker drew my attention to
an additional runner of interest today … but after I’d uploaded my blog: Single Estate (Simon Waugh/Joe Doyle/raised by
Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in Division II of a Handicap for 3-year-olds at
Redcar today [1 mile 2 furlongs & 1 yard] (10 ran). And I have a couple of links to piccies of Single Estate, taken today: https://mobile.twitter.com/kaz334/status/866710234575904768/photo/1 https://mobile.twitter.com/SWaughRacing/status/866669006782164993/photo/1 Having proved a flop as a 2-year-old, he was sold
out of Sir Mark Prescott’s yard for only £800 … and he earned slightly more
than that in prize money today! This is a ridiculous recovery, from Danny Mullins
at Limerick yesterday … https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/866608205727584257 As is this incident at Redcar today … https://twitter.com/myracingtips/status/866704994862608384 And this is just plain cute: https://mobile.twitter.com/BarnacreAlpacas/status/866549794927411201/photo/1 There are no National Hunt runners of interest
tomorrow ... although Dalavand (ex-Apple Tree Stud)
and Whatalove (Martin Keighley) run at Brighton I understand that Novak Djokovic
has appointed Andre Agassi as his coach, although my favourite ex-player
won’t be accompanying the Serb on a full-time basis. I guess that means I shall have to put
aside time to watch the French Open, hoping to get glimpses of Andre. It’s just a shame he’s not coaching a
player that I like! The downside of any tennis-watching activity is
that I will lose out as far as time is concerned for writing my diary racing
notes, as this is done by watching recordings of the races and I can’t do
both at the same time. I just knew
something would throw a spanner in my website update timetable when
everything was going so smoothly. L And I
wonder if Andre will be at Wimbledon?
Sadly I think I’m past the age where I fancy camping out overnight to
gain entry to watch tennis matches or players practising. Besides, everything has changed since 2006,
which was the last time I ventured to the venue without a pre-purchased
ticket. We used to camp out on the
pavements in the ‘olden days’ ...
the camping site has been moved to the local park now. I bought a new tent in 2006, because the
old one was no longer fit for purpose, but I could only be bothered to erect
it once! After that, I just sat out
all night in a deckchair! Those were
the days!!! |
|
|
Sunday
21 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Market Rasen: Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
last in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (5 ran); evidently he was far too
keen! Stratford-Upon-Avon: Brass Monkey (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 6 furlongs & 7 yards] (10 ran). Young Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 3rd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race
(12 ran). And here is a list of tomorrow’s runners of
interest at Towcester: 14:30 Somewhere to Be (Martin Keighley/Aidan
Coleman) – NH Maiden Hurdle 15:30 Baraymi (Jamie
Snowden/Micheal Nolan) & Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Twitterati
Racing Club) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 34 yards]; Brass
Monkey holds an entry here too but, as he ran today, presumably he won’t run
tomorrow 17:00 Dontminddboys
(Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste/EPDS
Racing) & Fine Jewellery (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’
Handicap Chase It’s been
a very productive weekend, as I’ve finished drafting my race notes for Day 1
of the Cheltenham Festival! J |
|
|
Saturday
20 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest: Aintree: Undisputed (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 7th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (10 ran). Fact Of The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 3rd in the Handicap Chase [3 miles & 210 yards] (10 ran). Hamilton Park: Sam Missile (James Fanshawe/Daniel
Muscutt/Apple Tree Stud) finished 4th in the
Handicap [1 mile 4 furlongs & 15 yards] (8 ran). And today’s results for my runners of interest: Bangor-On-Dee: Lord Huntington finished 4th in the Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles & 145 yards]. Lostnfound was a non-runner in
the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race Uttoxeter: Zipple Back (Alan King/Noel Fehily) won and Holy Street (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished
2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran). Asuncion (Rebecca Menzies/Jamie
Hamilton/EPDS Racing) was pulled up in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 6 furlongs
& 108 yards] (10 ran). Dr Dunraven (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 168 yards] (10 ran); however, you
cannot begrudge the winner Orion’s Might … he won for the first time at his
51st attempt! Another horse won at Uttoxeter
for the first time ever after a fairly long wait too ... Eddy at his 22nd
attempt. Harry Challoner signed
off his riding career today, at Uttoxeter,
following two further rides; neither were winners. And there are runners of interest tomorrow too: Market Rasen: 17:00 Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Stratford-Upon-Avon: 16:20 Brass Monkey (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 6 furlongs & 7 yards] 17:20 Young Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Harry Skelton currently leads the new season’s
Jump Jockey Championship (as I write this, they’ve forgotten to amend the
title on this page!) http://www.thepja.co.uk/championships/jump-jockeys-championship/ There’s another instalment to the ‘robin saga’ … I arrived home yesterday
evening to the sound of a bird alarm call; an adult robin was sitting on next
door’s roof guttering. I went through
the gate, into the carport, and saw a fledgling robin sitting on the ladder
which is affixed to the side of the house.
The adult robin continued to make a racket whilst now perched on one
of the washing lines under said carport.
So obviously the pair has at least one youngster which they’ve raised
successfully so far. But I really don’t know what to make of the
additional nest-building activities; surely they’d wait until the fledgling
is old enough to fend for itself before starting their next family? Mind you, having said that, the robins were
mating this morning whilst sitting on the garden fence! As predicted, I’ve been slaving over a hot laptop
today. I’ve commenced writing the race
notes for Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival, and have also been selecting and
re-sizing photographs for my Sandown Park diary for the past two or three
evenings. Progress is good. I also had
time last Monday evening to complete the snood I was knitting. J Needless
to say however, I still have plenty of wool in my stash to be getting on
with! |
|
|
Thursday
18 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Salisbury: Cecilator (Noel Williams/Dougie
Costello/EPDS Racing) finished 4th in the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes Div II [1
mile 1 furlong & 201 yards] (8 ran). Newmarket: Denver
Spirit (Luca Cumani/Gabriele Malune/Apple
Tree Stud) finished last in the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes [7 furlongs] (7 ran);
her saddle slipped early in the race which didn’t help and, evidently,
Invincible Spirit progeny don’t excel on soft ground! There are
three runners of interest tomorrow: Aintree: 17:35
Undisputed (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) 20:20 Fact
Of The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Chase [3 miles &
210 yards] Hamilton
Park: 19:30 Sam
Missile (James Fanshawe/Daniel Muscutt/Apple
Tree Stud) – Handicap [1 mile 4 furlongs & 15 yards] Jockey
Harry Challoner announced his retirement and signed
off with a winner aboard Gold Chain at Perth yesterday. The same horse won at Perth again today; a
Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle! Jack
Kennedy, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle aboard Labaik,
has broken his left leg ... and the ridiculous thing is that he’d already
suffered two breaks to his right leg within the past 12 months! This week
has been going very slowly ... I can’t wait to have more time available to me
at the weekend so that I can spend it slaving over a hot laptop! |
|
|
Wednesday
17 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest at Worcester: Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) finished 3rd in the Novices’ Handicap
Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs] (7 ran). Stynes (Graeme
McPherson/Charlie Deutsch/EPDS Racing) won the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle [2
miles & 110 yards] (6 ran); the ground had actually changed to soft by
the time he ran but he still made all to win, having gamely fought off all
challengers. Oscar Star (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies)
finished 9th in the Mares’ Intermediate Open NH Flat Race (14 ran). There are
two runners of interest tomorrow ... thank goodness for the ATR tracker! Salisbury: 15:55 Cecilator (Noel Williams/Dougie
Costello/EPDS Racing) – Maiden Fillies’ Stakes Div II [1 mile 1 furlong &
201 yards] Newmarket: 19:25
Denver Spirit (Luca Cumani/Gabriele Malune/Apple Tree Stud) – Maiden Fillies’ Stakes [7
furlongs] The robin
saga continues ... the birds appeared to be busily feeding youngsters in the
garage at the weekend but then, on Monday, they began to build a new nest
located on the ladder underneath the carport.
So I presume they lost their first brood. And that wouldn’t have been the first time
the ladder had been chosen as a favoured site for a robin; a pair
successfully raised a family from there a number of years ago. However,
after a day of frantic activity collecting nesting materials, that too was
abandoned and today a robin has been seen flying in and out of the shed
window once more; the shed and garage are connected by a doorway. I peeped inside the garage door this
evening, and it appeared the robin had nesting materials in its beak but it
remained in the shed section; so perhaps they’ve now settled upon a new site
within the shed! Hopefully this will
be third time lucky for them. Research
tells me that it’s the female which builds the nest and incubates the eggs
too. Both parents look after the
nestlings. |
|
|
Tuesday
16 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Warwick: Paloma’s Prince (Noel
Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles] (16 ran); Noel 1st
winner of the NH
season and Wayne’s 7th
winner. Godsmejudge (David Dennis/T
Dowling) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 100
yards] (5 ran). Diva Du Marquis (Noel Williams/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 2nd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (9 ran). Southwell: Royal Plaza (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
3rd in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (6 ran). Beverley: Jamacho (Brian Ellison/BA
Curtis/raised by Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in the Handicap Div II (3-year-olds)
[1 mile 1 furlong & 207 yards] (9 ran). And tomorrow’s runners of interest at Worcester: 14:00 Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) – Novices’ Handicap Chase [2 miles 7
furlongs] 14:30 Stynes (Graeme
McPherson/Charlie Deutsch/EPDS Racing) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle [2 miles
& 110 yards] – he will only run if the rain doesn’t arrive to scupper his
chances! 15:05 Oscar Star (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) – Mares’ Intermediate Open NH Flat Race Star mare Annie Power has now been officially
retired: Meanwhile Robbie Power will be out of action for
a few weeks having cracked a couple of ribs yesterday at Killarney: https://www.racingpost.com/news/news/gold-cup-winning-rider-power-breaks-ribs-in-fall/285800 Menace’s post-career recovery continues;
following an extended rest period and, although still slightly lame at the
trot, he’s now undergoing physiotherapy.
The issue lies in a stifle joint and the fact he’s also strained a cruciate ligament.
His recovery is also being aided by a long acting steroid injection to
the joint. Wildehearted Woman is also
recovering well from her injury and connections hope to be able to turn her
out for short periods in a small paddock soon. |
|
|
Monday
15 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Kempton Park: Corrie Loch (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) refused
to race in the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle 6 ran). Midnight Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won and Bingo
D’Olivate (Noel Williams/Robert Dunne) finished 6th
in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (7 ran); Wayne’s 6th winner of the
season. Midnight Jitterbug (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) finished a close 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles] (11 ran). Towcester: Jazzy (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 151 yards] (8 ran). The Kvilleken (Martin
Keighley/Mr A Hark) finished 5th in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (7
ran). Madame Fiona (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 2nd in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race (6
ran). Meanwhile Miles To Memphis finished 4th of 9 in
the 17:40 at Killarney. Tomorrow’s
runners of interest are as follows: Warwick: 14:10 Paloma’s Prince (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] 16:10 Godsmejudge (David Dennis/T Dowling) – Handicap Chase [3
miles 1 furlong & 100 yards] 17:10 Diva
Du Marquis (Noel Williams/Gavin Sheehan) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Southwell: 18:00
Royal Plaza (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Beverley: Jamacho (Brian Ellison/BA
Curtis/raised by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap Div II (3-year-olds) [1 mile 1
furlong & 207 yards] |
|
|
Sunday
14 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest: Haydock Park (mixed
card): The Tourard Man (Alan
King/Kevin Dowling) finished 6th but Mia’s Storm (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) romped away to win the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 6 furlongs & 177 yards] (16 ran); Wayne’ 4th winner of the season. William H Bonney (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Swinton
Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 144 yards] (17 ran). Meanwhile the Alan King-trained Lexington Law
finished 4th of 7 in the 14:35, a flat-race. Warwick: Cogburn (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran). Dun Bay Creek (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was
already well beaten when he fell at the last in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles
5 furlongs] (11 ran). Minella Charmer (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3
furlongs] Paddy Boss (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won but Another Crick (Noel Williams/Aidan Coleman)
was a non-runner in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (7 ran); Wayne 5th winner of the season. Hexham: Sensulano (Noel Williams/Gavin
Sheehan) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (8 ran). There was another runner of interest, at Nottingham … I’d written Friday’s blog before I checked my
email to see if there were any horses listed on the evening’s ATR tracker
notification: Suspect Package (James Fanshawe/Timmy
Murphy/Apple Tree Stud) finished 3rd in a Handicap [1 mile and half a
furlong) (13 ran); he pulled hard and appeared to encounter some
self-inflicted trouble in running too but, despite this, he was only beaten a
neck and a neck. Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Ludlow: Breaking Bits (Jamie Snowden/Micheal
Nolan) was a non-runner and Cup Of Ambition (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5
furlongs & 55 yards] (8 ran). Fixed Rate (Charlie Mann/Harry Bannister)
finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran); I saw the horse at Sandown Park
and he’s very pretty! Young Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) was a non-runner in the ‘Newcomers’ Standard Open Flat Race Plumpton: Oliver’s Island (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller)
finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 217 yards] (6 ran). Miss Crick (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) finished 3rd
in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (8 ran). And runners of interest tomorrow too: Kempton Park: 14:30 Corrie Loch (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Mares’ Maiden Hurdle 15:05 Midnight Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) & Bingo D’Olivate (Noel
Williams/Robert Dunne) – Novices’ Handicap Chase 16:40 Midnight Jitterbug (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] Towcester: 17:30 Jazzy (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 151
yards] 19:30 The Kvilleken
(Martin Keighley/Mr A Hark) – Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle 20:30 Madame Fiona (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race Meanwhile Miles To Memphis runs in the 17:40 at
Killarney. Yesterday I went to lunch with current and former
work colleagues; we visited the Prae Wood Arms
which had changed ownership before reopening last year after extensive
renovations. Previous to that it had
been closed for a long time. I can
recall attending a Christmas ‘works’
dinner held there many years ago; the weather being wet that evening and the
car park dank. The building dates from
1838 and overlooks the River Ver. For
anyone in St Albans or the surrounding area, I’d thoroughly recommend
it. And, according to a book about
Haunted Hertfordshire, it also has a couple of ghosts! I couldn’t be asked to log in yesterday evening
to write a blog; I ended up dozing through most of Eurovision … which is
probably best!!! Then, very late
evening and into early morning, I watched Fallen (1998) starring Denzel
Washington. I had my
hair trimmed this morning, and had arranged to call my friend Den for a long
chat this afternoon ... but that was postponed at the last minute. Thus, having socialised for much of this
weekend, and in total contrast to last Saturday and Sunday, my diary
productivity has been zero! Never mind,
I’ve nothing planned now until Whitsun.
But the good news is that I’ve knitted half a snood this afternoon! |
|
|
Friday
12 May 2017 |
|
|
There was
one runner of interest at Market Rasen today: Second
Time Around (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Standard Open NH
Flat Race (8 ran); Wayne’s 3rd
winner of the
season. Turn Over Sivola finished 5th of 7 in his race at Kilbeggan. He
wasn’t beaten far; he didn’t get a clear run after the last before being
hampered close home! Haydock Park (mixed card): 14:00 The Tourard Man (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) & Mia’s Storm
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 6 furlongs & 177
yards] 15:10
William H Bonney (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Swinton Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 144 yards] Alan also
has a runner in the 14:35, a flat-race, namely Lexington Law. Warwick: 17:30 Cogburn (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Novices’ Hurdle 18:30 Dun
Bay Creek (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] 19:30 Minella Charmer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs] 20:30
Paddy Boss (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Another Crick (Noel
Williams/Aidan Coleman) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Hexham: 17:15 Sensulano (Noel Williams/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race Strictly’s Natalie Lowe will be appearing in a new dance
show this autumn, alongside Jay McGuiness and Louis Smith; it’s called Rip It
Up. Having initially thought that they
weren’t appearing at any of my local venues, today I was pleased to learn the
show will be heading to St Albans in early October. This being the case, I popped in to the box
office at lunch-time to purchase two tickets, one for me and one for my
friend Lesley. So that’s another event
for me to look forward to. J I have a
number of things I need to do this weekend, so I won’t be able to spend very
much time working on my diaries, sadly.
|
|
|
Thursday
11 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Worcester: Rockchasebullett (Fergal O’Brien/Paddy
Brennan/EPDS Twitterati Racing Club ... that
includes me) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 7 furlongs]
(10 ran). However, I believe he won
best turned-out. Lord Topper
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles]
(5 ran). Carlisle: Breaking Bits (Jamie Snowden/Micheal
Nolan) won the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 61 yards] (3 ran); Jamie’s 2nd winner of the season. The ex-Alan
King-trained Uriah Heep finished 5th of 7 in his
particular handicap hurdle race. Catterick: Sexy Legs
(Lucy Egerton/Neil Farley/EPDS Racing) finished
last in the Fillies’ Handicap [7 furlongs & 6 yards] (6 ran). There’s
one runner of interest at Market Rasen tomorrow: 17:20
Second Time Around (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Meanwhile
Turn Over Sivola is due to run in a Handicap Chase
at Kilbeggan.
Having sat
in the local park during my lunch-break yesterday when it was a beautiful
day, the clouds returned once more so I stayed in at dinner time today. However, I did take the opportunity to do a
little internet surfing and have found a number of notable horses which are
due to head to Goffs’ Spring Horses in Training and
Point-to-Point Sale on 24/25 May. Firstly,
as happens at the end of each season, Millions In Mind sells their horses and
Timoteo, which is currently trained by Alan King,
is one of those. He also sends Holy
Street, Handsome Sam, Pique Rock and Winner Massagot
to the sales. I’ve already mentioned
that Apple Tree Stud’s Ardamir is due to be sold,
and it came as no surprise that their Canford
Chimes also heads to the sales. Amongst
others, Nicky Henderson will be sending Cocktails At Dawn, Hammersly Lake, Silverhow and Vaniteux to Goffs. Silverhow is Altior’s half-brother. Kim
Bailey’s Harry Topper is another, as are Connetable
and Caid Du Berlais from
Paul Nicholls’ yard. Graeme McPherson
is consigning Holly Bush Henry, and Warren Greatrex
sends Out Sam and Ilovemints; the latter, although
little known, was mentioned in my Lambourn Open Day
Diary due to her name. Unfortunately
Noel Williams is consigning both Authorized Too (aka Arthur) and Bingo D’Olivate; I like Bingo L ... I’d buy him, and
retire him if I had the money ... sadly I still need to win the lottery. The best
I’ve done on the lottery recently is win two free goes, having got two
numbers twice in recent weeks; I collected the freebies on Friday and then I
won two further free tickets on Saturday’s draw! Even £25 would be nice. |
|
|
Wednesday
10 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Newton Abbot: Brillare Momento (Martin
Keighley/Aidan Coleman) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (11 ran). Adrrastos (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) finished 3rd in
the Novices’ Hurdle (11 ran). The Alan
King-trained Who Dares Wins finished 4th in today’s Chester Cup; First
Mohican finished 11th (17 ran). There are
runners of interest tomorrow too: Worcester: 16:55 Rockchasebullett (Fergal O’Brien/Paddy Brennan/EPDS Twitterati Racing Club ... that includes me) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles & 7 furlongs] 17:25 Lord
Topper (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] Carlisle: 19:55
Breaking Bits (Jamie Snowden/Micheal Nolan) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 61 yards] I notice
the ex-Alan King-trained Uriah Heep is running in
one of the other handicap hurdle races. Catterick: 15:45 Sexy
Legs (Lucy Egerton/Neil Farley/EPDS Racing) –
Fillies’ Handicap [7 furlongs & 6 yards].
‘Fillies’ is a little bit of
a misnomer, as the ages range from 4 to 7!
Four is a filly, in thoroughbred terms, but 5 and above are
mares. Sexy Legs
used to be trained by David Wachman and was owned
by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick
Smith! She hasn’t run for a couple of
years though; her sire is Dutch Art.
And she ran at Royal Ascot back in the day, in the 2014 Albany Stakes
for 2-year-old fillies – she finished 9th of 21. EPDS
Racing has another new flat-bred mare Pantomine,
also now trained by Lucy, which is due to run soon;
her sire is Mastercraftsman. She was formerly trained by Charles O’Brien
and used to be owned by Mrs John Magnier and Mrs
Jacqueline O’Brien. The ‘robin mystery’ deepens. It’s seen regularly in the shed and
adjoining garage but, despite visual searches, a nest has not been
located. However, there was a tiny
dead baby bird found on the garage floor yesterday, so that is rather
suspicious. On Sunday morning, when I
opened the garage door, the robin flew out over my head! Unfortunately it’s frequent escape route
means flying over my car which stands under the carport; I now have to make
regular checks for bird poo ... luckily, so far,
it’s solely targeted the windscreen (twice) and also the plastic covering to
the rear lights! I don’t want it
damaging the paintwork. |
|
|
Tuesday
09 May 2017 |
|
|
Fakenham: Fortified
Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran). Ffos Las: Our Reward
(Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman/EPDS Racing) finished 3rd in the Beginners’
Chase (4 ran); Sir Ivan beat Cole Harden to win this one. There are
two runners of interest tomorrow, at Newton Abbot: 14:05 Brillare Momento (Martin
Keighley/Aidan Coleman) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 15:10 Adrrastos (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) – Novices’ Hurdle |
|
|
Monday
08 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest
at Stratford: Zipple Back (Alan King/Noel Fehily) won the Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran). Johnny Og (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) pulled up in the Handicap
Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 98 yards] (9 ran). Avispa (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards] (7 ran). Oops, I
forgot one ... on the all-weather at Southwell: Cecilator (Noel Williams/Neil Farley/EPDS Racing) finished
4th in the Median Auction Maiden Stakes [1 mile & 3 furlongs] (5 ran);
the other one did pull up though. Obviously
I need to add her to my ATR tracker! There are
two runners of interest tomorrow: Fakenham: 15:10
Fortified Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle Ffos Las: 15:20 Our
Reward (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman/EPDS Racing) – Beginners’ Chase; Cole
Harden is one of his three rivals. Wincanton has
abandoned their fixture scheduled for Thursday evening due to lack of
rain. And Carlisle has decided to run
a solely hurdles card for the same reason. You
wouldn’t mind it not raining much, from a personal point of view, but most
days are just plain windy and overcast!
Hertfordshire is badly affected by the current lack of rainfall; the
riverbed of the Colne is completely dry at London Colney. |
|
|
Sunday
07 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest at Uttoxeter: Blue Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Daryl Jacob) finished
8th; Holy Street (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 9th; Midnight Chill
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4th; Somewhere To Be (Martin
Keighley/Aidan Coleman) finished 11th in the NH Maiden Hurdle (12 ran). Hargam (Nicky
Henderson/Aidan Coleman) finished 2nd in the Beginners’ Chase (3 ran). Thady Quil
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 6th in
the Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 189 yards] (11 ran). Here is news of Big Fella
Thanks, following his run and retirement on Friday: https://www.racingpost.com/news/news/big-fella-thanks-retired-following-cheltenham-injury/284582 There were no runners of interest today … as I
don’t do flat racing … unless Apple Tree Stud horses are involved! However, don’t you think it’s really boring
when the same old people win the Classics? Natalie Lowe has turned down the opportunity to
appear in the coming season’s Strictly Come Dancing. New Zealander Andrew Nicholson finally won the
Badminton Horse Trials, at the 36th attempt!
It is an amazing comeback story, as he’d suffered a very serious neck
injury in 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/equestrian/39837613 There are three runners of interest tomorrow, at Stratford: 13:50 Zipple Back (Alan
King/Noel Fehily) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:50 Johnny Og (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Chase [2 miles
3 furlongs & 98 yards] 15:20 Avispa (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards] My weekend has been
productive, as I’ve completed an initial draft of my Sandown Park diary,
including the race notes! |
|
|
Friday
05 May 2017 |
|
|
Happy retirement Big Fella
Thanks
15-year-old Big Fella
Thanks has been retired having pulled up during a race at this evening’s Hunter
Chase fixture at Cheltenham. He lost
his action but is reported to be okay.
Happy retirement Big Fella! Meanwhile in the flat-racing sphere, Postponed
has been retired having sustained a stress fracture. Here are today’s results from Fontwell Park: Talkischeap (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Maiden Hurdle (4
ran); the winning distance was 11 lengths. Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) finished 4th and Canford Chimes (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson/Apple Tree Stud) won the Standard Open NH
Flat Race (6 ran). So that’s Wayne’s 1st and 2nd winners of the new season. And a winner for Apple Tree Stud too! Choc liked my congratulatory tweet. J And one on the flat at Musselburgh too: Jamacho (Brian Ellison/B A
Curtis/raised by Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in
the Handicap [1 mile 1 furlong] (6 ran).
Hopefully, one day, he’ll cross the line first! There are runners of interest at Uttoxeter tomorrow: 14:10 Blue Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Daryl Jacob)
& Holy Street (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Midnight Chill (Jamie
Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Somewhere To Be (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman)
– NH Maiden Hurdle 15:20 Hargam (Nicky
Henderson/Aidan Coleman) – Beginners’ Chase; I like the grey as he has a
friendly demeanour – I ‘met’ him at
Lambourn Open Day. 17:40 Thady Quil (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
– Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 189 yards] It’s due
to be a quiet weekend for me so hopefully, I’ll be able to make further
inroads into my outstanding fixture diaries. |
|
|
Thursday
04 May 2017 |
|
|
Having got sidetracked at the
weekend, I think it’s about time I posted a number of photos which I took at
Sandown Park on Saturday: |
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-race: Menorah and Richard
Johnson, winner of the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase |
Pre-race: Altior
and Nico de Boinville, winner of the Grade 1 Celebration
Chase |
|
|
|
|
Pre-race: Henllan
Harri and Sean Bowen, winner of the bet365 Gold Cup
Handicap Chase |
Pre-race: The New One and Sam Twiston-Davies, competitor in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle |
|
Just one result to report today, from Towcester, as Somewhere To Be
was a non-runner. Londonia (Graeme McPherson/Richard Johnson) won the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 151 yards] (10
ran). And, if you wish to watch the race: http://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Towcester/4-May-2017/1520 There are three runners of interest tomorrow, at Fontwell Park: 19:00 Talkischeap (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle 20:05 Filemon (Jamie
Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) & Canford Chimes (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson/Apple Tree
Stud) – Standard Open NH Flat Race And one on the flat at Musselburgh too: 16:00 Jamacho (Brian
Ellison/B A Curtis/raised by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap [1 mile 1 furlong] It transpires that reports of Zeehan’s
demise were premature; she was injured during a race at Ludlow on 03 April.
However, today, there was a report on facebook to
say she returned to the stud where she was born and is currently undertaking
box rest. She cannot be raced or
ridden again but the owners hope to breed from her in due course; they still
have her dam and half-siblings too. Robert Waley-Cohen is reported to have bought a 3-parts sister
to Smad Place; she’s named Santa Adelia, and is 3-years-old, a grey and unbeaten. She is based in France for the present. |
|
|
Wednesday
03 May 2017 |
|
|
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ... it’s so cold
today; you’d never know it was early May. There was one runner of interest today, at Pontefract: Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Neil
Farley/EPDS Racing) finished 3rd in the Handicap [1 mile & 4 yards] (9
ran). There are two runners of interest tomorrow, at Towcester: 14:20 Somewhere To Be (Martin Keighley/Richard
Johnson) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:20 Londonia (Graeme
McPherson/Richard Johnson) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 151
yards]. Dual Welsh Grand National winner Mountainous has
been retired. https://www.racingpost.com/news/mountainous-retired-with-two-welsh-nationals-to-his-name/284125 Sadly another Grand National hero has passed
away; this time Papillon which won the 2000 Aintree
renewal ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by his father Ted. However, he did have a good innings, being
26. It was Ruby’s first ride in the
race. https://www.racingpost.com/news/news/grand-national-hero-papillon-dies-at-26/284239 Did I recount the story of the racehorse and the
sheep recently? I think it may have
been a tale told by Jamie Snowden regarding his ex-boss Nicky Henderson. I know which horse it was … Remittance Man
and Nobby the sheep: https://www.racingpost.com/news/forever-friends-racehorses-who-found-happiness-with-others/284020 Sprinter Sacre has
moved on to the next chapter of his life.
Event rider and TV presenter Spencer Sturmey,
who lives near Stow-on-the-Wold, has taken him on to explore what the star
wants to do next: https://mobile.twitter.com/SpencerSturmey/status/859059520017977346/photo/1 Any Currency has also been settling in to his new
home: https://mobile.twitter.com/BelindaWalki/status/859079789688303616/photo/1 Another ideal job has arisen … this time at the AppleTree Stud: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/859677669532815361/photo/1 Just think of it … horses AND Choc! What more could a girl want? J I seem to
be worn out; having logged off my laptop on Monday evening, I sat down to
enjoy watching TV ... only to doze off for 90 minutes. I came home yesterday from work, ate my
evening meal and sat down for a few minutes ... only to doze off again. In fact I have to keep myself occupied in
order to stay awake. |
|
|
Monday
01 May 2017 |
|
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Kempton Park: Ocean Eleven (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 7th in the Novices’ Hurdle (11 ran). Midnight Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished last in the Novices’ Chase (3 ran).
However he did jump well for the most part upon, this, his chasing
debut and his two rivals were smart cookies trained by Paul Nicholls and
Nicky Henderson respectively! Criq Rock (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran). Ballymountain Boy (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) won the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 5 furlongs] Div I (9 ran); Martin’s 1st winner of the season. Brass Monkey (Martin Keighley/Lizzie Kelly)
finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] Div II (9 ran). Our Three Sons (Jamie Snowden/Miss
Page Fuller) won but Cup Of Ambition (Martin Keighley/Mr A Hark)
was hampered by a faller and unseated two out in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap
Hurdle (8 ran). Jamie’s 1st winner of the season. Warwick: Pique Rock (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 7th
in the Mares’ NH Maiden Hurdle (10 ran). Bingo D’Olivate (Noel
Williams/Robert Dunne) finished 6th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (7 ran). National Hunt racing returns on Thursday
following a 2-day break. I’ve been slaving over a hot laptop again today,
initially sorting out issues with the website caused by a crash yesterday
evening. I’ve also backed up all of my
web-pages and 2017 photos onto a standalone hard
drive. I’ve made inroads into my Sandown Park diary too,
and carried out further work on my Cheltenham Festival diary templates. I’m going to have a restful evening ... as I was
actually up at 06:00 this morning!
You’d never think it was a Bank Holiday! |
|
