I see that the 11th richest man in Wales and the forum’s fourth favourite owner (I’m told he’s just as proud of the latter racking as the former) has signed up old boy Davy Russell to ride for him when available this season. Dai Walters has his horses primarily with Mr Henderson, the forum’s favourite trainer, Nige Twiston-Davies and ‘awwwwwwww bless, little’ Danny Skelton. What do we think of this appointment which should see Dave Russell riding a lot more in Britain this term??? Personally, I think it’s rather a good one as I’ve always thought of Russell as a most competent saddle monkey and it will lead to continuity for the 11th richest man in Wales. It does though, of course, mean that Seven Barrows has yet another owner deciding on jockey bookings which will ultimately lead to fewer opportunities for Mr Henderson’s loyal band of riders. That’s the only downside I can see but that’s for others rather than the Dai Walters himself. As to Russell riding for ‘awwwwwwww bless, little’ Danny Skelton that can only be good news as it will spare us, in the event of one of those horses obliging, another gushing interview in which ‘awwwwwwww bless, little’ Danny Skelton and his brother gush on for hours about how great each other are!
I was going to start a thread on this but couldn't remember whether he was the 7th or 11th richest man in Wales. I guess it is a nice little earner for Russell but I doubt he'll be seeing much of the old winners enclosure (except maybe the Welsh Champion Hurdle). I would have saved on travel costs and employed Nico De Boinville instead.
He's a brilliant jockey but could he have went for someone younger? The talent riding over the jumps at present in Ireland is ridiculous. Everyone knows of Jack Kennedy by now but there's so many more young ones coming behind him, jockeys like Rachel Blackmore, even the young lass who won the Listowel National yesterday for Elliott. The standard of even the amateurs here would put to shame a lot of full time pros. Davy's heading towards 40, so hardly one for the future. Good to see Adrian Heskin get a decent role for Tom George. Shockingly bad treatment from Barry Connell. Mind you if he judges jockeys/people as bad as he spends on horses getting the bullet from him was probably the best thing happened Adrian.
Not sure why Barney feels the need to poke fun at the Skelton's, young Harry is a brilliant young pilot and as fine a young man as you could wish to meet.
Yep, is a good appointment for the forum’s favourite chap initialled A.P.! I do like Tom George as a trainer and I think he felt compelled to seek someone new due to the fact that Paddy Brennan is these days getting more and more associated with Mrs Bishop, Fergal O’Brien and the Tizzard barn. Although somewhat ominously for A.P. Tom George did state in his interview, re the appointment, that he would still, at times, give rides to Paddy Brennan.
Haven’t really said anything against Harry only, his infuriating habit of saying how brilliant his brother is when a microphone is placed in front of him! The chap, inadvertently having a go, is the 11th richest man in Wales who has chosen to replace him on the Skelton barned horses with Davy Russell.
"11th richest man in Wales." I didn't know there were any rich men left in Wales. I thought they'd all left after spending a month there one weekend. As for jockeys, they tend to be overrated nowadays, although NH riders less so than their Flat colleagues. Most of them ride too short and end up on the deck too often for my liking. Davy Russell at least has a personality, and there aren't too many of them in current sports.
Amazingly they produce a Welsh Rich list every year and dear old Dai has been so ranked for a number of terms with a fortune in excess of £200 million! A place below him, I seem to recall, is old girl Catherine Zeta-Jones on a handful of million less.
Interesting discussion piece in the current edition of ‘The Weekender’ in which it ponders if the 11th richest man in Wales will be able to continue to rely on the services of Davy Russell. They refer to the latter as being more and more viewed as the ‘go to man’ re the big races on both sides of the Irish Sea and they state that in the near future he can undoubtedly expect to pick up more rides from Gigginstown. I guess whether or not the association between the 11th richest man in Wales and old boy Dave continues in term 2017/18 will be dependent on just how financially lucrative the retainer actually is. A sizable fee may prove more tempting than being allowed to pick and choose his mounts in several upcoming top contests. So will the forum’s 8th favourite alliance continue in the months ahead??? Will it include a CGC success with Whisper??? Will Mr Henderson be asked to use his wiles to personally persuade old boy Dave??? Only time will tell, troops.
