Sorry, Smokey, bombed-out this time. Guess I should have remembered that the Tim Easterby yard usually takes a while to get going, but that's hindsight, of course. I think Copper Knight should be kept an eye on though, he's a good sprinter nevertheless.
16:52 Newton Abbot - Winter Getaway (Has a solid chance in this. Think he's a better hurdler than chaser. Richard Johnson on board. 11/2 best price at time of writing.)
Pops, it might interest you that there is a runner in the Market Rasen bumper tomorrow, TIGERBYTHETAIL, who is a half brother to Roksana. I know you like her a lot. With Olly Murphy so I wouldnt be surprised if he made a winning the debut. The horse the favourite beat on bumper debut is very ordinary and I suspect might be very vulnerable under a penalty.
Two of the three picks won today, Salt Wind won readily enough and never looked in any trouble throughout. Solomn Grundy had to work harder though as both On The Sod and Stand Up and Fight were ridden very aggressively up front, pulling well clear and both looking to have an unassailable lead before On the Sod came down 3 out and Stand Up and Fight was getting weary as Solomn Grundy dug deep up the run in to pip him to the line, to a rapturous applause from myself. Rualille Buaille ran a blinder in 3rd, held up midway and having to switch between several horses on the run in, it looked as if he was just picking them off as and when he wanted, but sadly as often is the case in 85 runner handicaps here in Ireland, two JP runners also came bursting through to take the 1-2, leave Ruaille Buaille 2.25 lenghts back in 3rd, a good run all the same in such a competitive heat. More than happy with two wins from 3 and thankfully another 2 good days of action to come from Fairyhouse.
Might take a look - thanks but I suspect day off tomorrow horse racing - all this garden visiting going on with family.. I like Roksana but she has to pay 2nd fiddle to Singlefarmpayment!
Richard Johnson retires https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/richard-johnson-retires-from-the-saddle/190646
A really dismal performance by Winter Getaway. Even the admirable Richard Johnson could not get the horse at all interested! Oh well, onward to tomorrow.
Wow, I wish Richard a long and happy retirement, he deserves it. Hope he will stay close to racing, am sure he will.
So pleased to see him retire whilst still in one piece. I had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of occasions when he rode for us and he is an absolute gentleman and a very good representative. His skills as a horseman and judge of horses is exceptional. I am sure we will see him still in racing in some capacity or other and whatever is in his future I for one wish him every success.
I once ‘met’ him in a nightclub in Shrewsbury. It was a long time ago when he was auditioning to be a Prince (well Princess’s consort) which he ultimately failed as his squeeze at the time ended up with a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner. What a career he’s had and as you say nice to see him going out on his terms
We probably know a lot of the same characters. I made a couple of Sunday morning guest appearances for the Rock & Fountain
I’ve lived nearer to Telford and played my football many moons ago in the Bridgnorth League so Shrewsbury football passed me by a bit. I’m more familiar with the Shrewsbury cricket fraternity. Ol Dicky and Zara were in Tiff’s with a good mate of his called Richard Burton (festival winning amateur jockey and fine local cricketer).
An excellent run from Came From The Dark. I thought he was lunging late to perhaps get up but he was beaten a short head and the same in third place. The ones I thought were too high in the handicap ran as though that was the case and I would be happy to give Came From The Dark another chance from the same sort of mark as today, particularly at Haydock, where he has 3 wins and a 2nd from five starts at the track. Well done to all winners today.
