Search Results for 'ar mad'

[sporting sam]

Saturday has whizzed here.
A very late night burning the midnight oil. I’ve had to load up the van late ⏰ at night in preparation for a craft fair in town today. Some of my hydrangeas will be featuring in the willow wreathes which my partner has made. I haven’t had time to try my hand at making a wreath as yet but I’m having a go at it one evening next week.
The visit from the twins 👯‍♀️ yesterday morning was as always most welcome. They talk telepathically in unison and at speed having time to disagree in a rhythmic flow. They nipped in with my racing post from last week and stopped for coffee. We are getting together for the stricly come dancing final next week and I’m cooking dinner. Artichokes will feature strongly and I’m looking for someone on the allotments who has grown some Brussels sprouts to use.
Just after they left I’d gone down to the beach and had my icy dip. It’s the coldest I’ve felt in the sea ever and my lack of insulation was likely due to my night out at the wake. As I chilled in the deep hot bath soon after, the twins were back again pruning the roses in our front garden.
I’m useless at pruning roses I have to admit. I’m working on it and next year I’m joining the group that cares for the spa gardens to try and improve some aspects of my gardening. I’m trying to restore my front garden and like many gardeners my front patch is not a good advert for my gardening prowess and is installation number two @ the exhibition. The beds on the rockery in Brook lane is also an installation.
The squadron leader proudly pictured by his tree 🌲 will feature in the exhibition I’m asking his permission later today. It is quite possible that Mike Howlett will be calling in some time to retake the picture himself as it is going to be the feature “focal point” of the exhibition. ( on my part)
I’ve made the first major move since getting the nod from the 142 gallery people.
If it comes off it’ll send the profile of the exhibition into outer space.
Obviously I cannot say what it is right now. If it comes off I’ll mention it here first. There are numerous “ remote” installations being planned and top of the tree is Victoria street the site in a little car park of my town centre probably one of the most prolific small plots in the town centre.
It’s reconfiguration due to a fifth of it being shaven off is a key part of the exhibition. My daughter has a little tree planted in the area to be removed and I’m waiting for it to go “dormant” so I can move it. The little ash tree 🌲 came in a sale at the private school at nacton a few years ago.

The school also has a observatory and it is ideally placed on a hill on the banks of the river Orwell and I’m hoping to secure some involvement with them for the exhibition. Being at levington and nacton this area is right in line with the weatherline which fronts the Deben peninsula.

[BigG]

Best of luck with them Neil, just belatedly about to shine an olympic style
torch on our TRF competition

Week 2 Update

The question was asked by Impaire Et Passe and was answered by Teahupoo in the
Hatton’s Grace, but only in the last 100 yards. He was made to work for his win
but it was enough to keep mickeyjp at the head of affairs (28.10 Points) and
keeps his lead with 122.85 points. Still there to be shot at, just the way you
like it Mickey

Yellowbog Stables got out the mire to make an impressive move up from 6th to
2nd place, and had the forecast in the Hatton’s Grace with Teahupoo and Impaire
Et Passe (1.10 points). I hope you had the f/c on there YS. He also had a very
decent looking one in Ballyburn(1.10 points), well beaten by the useful looking
Firefox in the run-in. He’s a winner in waiting for sure YS (104.02 points)

FF91 was also one who had Teahupoo (28.10 points in case you had forgotten) and
the previously mentioned decent run by Ballyburn. With only 5 in the league having
Teahupoo, and Ballyburn, it jumps FF a mega 10 places from 13th to 3rd. Got yourself
bang in the picture in the top 3 FF. Great week for you (90.17 points)

Hoy’s boys and Ladies, despite having Impaire Et Passe (1.10 points) drops a couple
from 2ns to 4th. Still well in there HBAL. (88.50 points)

Red Jumpers had to settle for two runners-up mentioned above, Ballyburn and Impasse Et
Passe but the 2.20 points wasn’t enough to hold on to 3rd spot and dropped to 5th. (85.25 points)

I’ve squeezed up 1 place with Jeriko Du Reponet (12.47 points). He had only had 1 race in France
prior to being bought by JP. Going to Nicky Henderson I had heard some good vibes and he won his
maiden with the minimum of fuss. Definitely one to put in your notebook. (84.89 points)

Green’s Gallopers certainly lived up to their name with a move up from 14th to 7th and a very
impressive horse in Classic Getaway (23.70) for a bloodless win at Thurles. He runs in the Cheveley
Park Stud colours. He’s down for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown later this month and this could be
aimed high by Willie Mullins. Well done green, an impressive run with more to come

Dropping 4 places to 8th are the Dark Angels. I’m afraid the 1.10 points for Impaire Et Passe wasn’t
enough to hold your place Jac, but he’s definitely one that will add plenty points and I’ve got
him down in my tracker. I reckon he’s a winner next time out

Just like Jac (Dark Angels) Madison Wonderland had his chance spoiled by a top class Teahupoo who
had just enough in the run in to hold off Impaire Du Passe. As I’ve already said MW, he’s a horse
that I’m pretty sure will do well this year (74.57 points)

Goodfellow managed to nick a place with Gaelic Warrior’s win at Punchestown gaining 12.40 points.
he was anothe with Impaire Du Passe who looks like a good horse o have in your stable (73.05 points)

So that’s the top 10

Aintree holds a decent meeting tomorrow and the Becher Chase is shaping up nicely. I’ve always
had a notion that there is a big race in Highland Hunter, who was just run out of it last time
by Elvis Mail (getting 5 lbs) I reckon this will suit him well. I think he’s a Grand National type.

Constitution Hill gets the chance to show that he is still a grade above everything else running.
He will have Shishkin to deal with who can be brilliant on his day, it’s just that I don’t think
tomorow will be his day.

Jonbon surely should be too good for any in the Tingle Creek. I’m not about to take 1/3 though

Apologies this is very late this week, it’s been one of those weeks as they say.

Here are the scores as per the TTTF (jumps) website and very good luck to all

1
Just mullin along
11
122.85
2
Yellowbog Stables
5
104.02
3
FF91
12
90.17
4
Hoy’s Boys and Ladies
2
88.50
5
Red Jumpers 1
1
85.25
6
Onthebridle
3
84.89
7
Green’s gallopers
2
83.67
8
Dark Angels
2
76.50
9
Madison Wonderland
1
74.57
10
Goodfellow
1
73.05
11
Jas’s Jumpers
1
73.05
12
Edantony
3
71.97
13
Moley Racing
2
71.95
14
Rays Rockets
9
67.80
15
Michael Walsh
2
66.15
16
Sultans Of Swing
10
63.65
17
Back jumping
3
62.37
18
Man Superstars
2
60.65
19
Numpty Plays The Jumps (List One)
2
51.65
20
Early Starters
2
49.85
21
Its A Brave Mans Game
2
48.65
22
Tó Madeira
2
46.05
23
Gaelic Warrior Bread
2
41.32
24
No More Bets
2
40.30
25
Galaxy’s One and Only
1
35.75
26
CrownJools
1
35.30
27
Bourne Losers
2
25.52
28
Inthestream5
3
24.35
29
Barrow Raiders
1
19.50
30
Hinton In the Hedges
1
1.50
31
The Maple Stirrups
1
0.00

[Ex RubyLight]

That Mole Board was some winner of the Contenders Hurdle back in 1993:

Source YouTube – espmadrid

[sporting sam]

Back on terra firma ( but not for long) I started the day as I always do yesterday with a sea side stroll with my dog. He wasn’t always my dog as I was dead set against having a hound. Raised on the Greenwich estate where dogs were ferral, we learned which ones to stroke and which ones were to be avoided. Like all kids I dreamt of my Dad bringing me home a puppy on his bike with his little head popping out of his bag. Mum said “there are more than enough dogs running wild outside on this estate, go play with them”. The puppy never materialised and not long after my mum’s words I was attacked and badly bitten by an Alsatian. It would be thirty years before I trusted one enough again to have a dog. Goldie was a rescue mongrel and an absolutele delight. She bolted down her food for fear of never being fed and also delighted in improving her glossy golden coat by rolling in fox 🦊 poo and rotting dead rabbits 🐇. The former was due to previous owners, the latter was typical dog delights.
The funeral was a big big event forget six hundred there were more and although being early is not my strongest point, I made it to the church with an hour to spare and still queued. But I was inside for the service and many many more stood outside. It was a very liquid event literally and I gave the boy a send off befitting the great man. A couple of my best friends drove me home from the half moon after midnight and the landlady promised me the pub would be restored in time to it’s former glory. I made it home in one piece and that I can tell you was an achievement.
This morning the twins have been round with my Saturday copy of the racing post.
Over coffee we talked horses of course and gardening. Everyone including the twins agrees about my three rivers theory.
It is an amazing thing and everyone seems to know of it.
We also discuss the incredible phenomena of AMMO racing and how all their two year olds seem to win. How they went damn near through the card at a waterlogged Leicester. How they had 150/1 winner at royal ascot when some leading trainers have never had a winner or even a placed runner there in twenty years of trying and how much like coolmore and Godolphin they are. We agree anyone big enough to dispense with the services of Rossa Ryan and Kevin Stott in the same season need better advice.
My missus tells me Oisin Murphy rode in a hurdle race yesterday. I don’t know how he did. Hopefully better than his current flat form.
John, whose dog would probably marry my dog if that sort of thing was possible has challenged me to go for a swim this morning.
🏊‍♀️.
He also says he’ll walk into the saint Elizabeth’s hospice shop and hand in a tenner 💵 💰 so I’ve accepted the challenge. He’ll be ten pounds lighter in the next half hour then.
Funny how he won’t be getting his feet wet and I’m hoping he also do some forfeit when next I see him.
I do like a challenge.

[Venture to Cognac]

Was desperate to bet Moroder for this all week, but couldn’t with that Sandown entry.

Got to bet him here, even if if I’ve got the suspicion that he may need another run to get him spot on. Bet him a few times last year, and already made the shortlist for The National.

Betting Coko Beach too. This seems an unusual target for him off current mark, but then they seem to have him miles ahead of where they had him before. I genuinely liked him for The Savills, and might be reading too much into it, but they just seem to taking a slightly different approach with him this year, and even off top weight, I can see him figuring.

I was interested in the two Crawford horses for The Grand Sefton, and that’s still the case here. Even from out the weights, Dorking Cock in particular looks a fair old price

Had already bet Percussion, but can’t have three in this, so I’ll be laying him back, hopefully for profit

**Just kept Percussion**

Coko Beach 12’s
Moroder 33’s
Percussion 10’s

[Red Rum 77]

Race Date 9th December 2023

This competition will run until late April/ or early May depending on when the National Hunt season ends.

Rules

1 Everyone is welcome, just make an entry below.

2 Two different selections must be made, one win and one each way.

3 It is strongly suggested that reserves be made. Remember these will only come into effect if you have non runners, and also the order written.

4 Scores will be update weekly, (old score – stake + winnings = new score).
The stake will be either 0 points if no selections are left, 50 points for 1 runner, 100 points for both runners. Any winnings will include their stake unit back, like what you get back from a bookies.

5 Selections can be updated/ Amended before the off time of the race, but please make a new post. If you do then I will use the latest post only.

6 The each way part will be calculated at quarter odds.

7 Number of places I will use will be :

Handicaps of up to 20 runners, will be normal number of places.
Handicaps of 21 to 24 runners 5 places
Handicaps of 25 to 28 runners 6 places
Handicaps of 29+ runners 7 places

Should the be a non runner reducing the number of places, I will use the original number of runners in the field as stated in the morning papers.

8 A win selection will have a 50 point win on it
An each way selection will have a 25 point each way on it at quarter odds.
The will be a free forecast at 1 point, for those getting first and second (either way) which I will use racing post details for payout.
For fun I will keep a track on successful outsiders (whether it wins or placed)

9 An alternative race will be made at another venue, this should only be used if the main race venue gets cancelled. Sometimes it might be earlier than the original race so keep an eye on that.

Main Race is Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase 2.05 AINTREE

The back up race (if needed) is 6.15 Newcastle

How the table is looking.

Leaderboard : Week 3

1 Red Rum 77 +500
2 Raymo61 +362.50
3 Michael Walsh +222.65
4 Nathan Hughes +221.70
5 Triptych +137.50
6 Dfward 0
7 John Gooch -40.62
8 Steve75 -43.75
9 Chiver1987 -50
9 Illavim -50
9 BigG -50
12 Greenasgrass -162.50
12 Kendicate -162.50
14 007Canfordscliffs -243.75
15 Venture To Cognac -300
15 Quelle Farce -300
15 Robnorth -300
15 Euroalien -300
15 Landafar -300
15 Refuse To Bend -300
15 Wyldesyde -300

You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.

[sporting sam]

The things that dreams are made of by the human league.

Take time to see the wonders of the world
To see the things you’ve only ever heard of
Dream life the way you think it ought to be
See things you thought you’d never ever see
… Take a cruise to China
Or a train to Spain 🇪🇸 ✅
Go round the world
Again and again
… Meet a girl on a boat ✅
Meet a boy on a train ✅
And fall in love ✅
Without the pain ✅
… Everybody needs love and adventure ✅
Everybody needs cash to spend ✅
Everybody needs love and affection ✅
Everybody needs 2 or 3 friends ✅
… These are the things
These are the things
The things that dreams are made of
These are the things
These are the things
The things that dreams are made of
… Take a lift to the top of the Empire State
Take a drive across the Golden Gate
March, march, march across Red Square ✅
Do all the things you’ve ever dared
… Everybody needs love and adventure
Everybody needs cash to spend
Everybody needs love and affection
Everybody needs 2 or 3 friends
… These are the things
Norman wisdom, ✅ Johnny, joey, ✅ Dee Dee, ✅ good times. ✅ .
It’s nice to tick a few of these boxes.

[sporting sam]

Playing matches be it 🏉 rugby or football ⚽️. You go from playing two matches in a day to three games a week to playing one match to the next match a week apart with no training struggle up the stairs then spend the week between matches learning to walk again. You know it is time to call it a day finally.
Today has been one of those days.lots of communication I waited all day for the fisherman and because of his non appearance much of my day wasn’t a goer as I was waiting to go out in his boat, and when your day is planned around something that doesn’t occur it is an anti climax.

I nipped into the wine boutique to select a wine for the wife of a friend who has stage four. I’d hoped the entrepreneurial owner would be holding court but John is recovering from an illness. I’ve a proposal to make over the exhibition.
I bump into Ali and her Husband at night the wine shop is a bar and it is lit to feel and look like a wine cellar anywhere in Europe France Spain Germany it is very atmospheric. Ali has a garden to die for and is currently looking after the massive seed collection I acquired in the flash sale at Homebase.© Literally hundreds of plants and veg. Ali has also given me some great cut flowers 💐 for the hospice. I give her the exhibition news and she’s delighted. My partner has done commissions for their pet greyhounds in the past. Both have passed on now and I’ve said anytime they are ready, our dog is always up for a walk.
I choose a wine for my mate’s wife. white German and without owner John to guide me to a bin or special import, I hope it’s a good choice. I decided I’d write him a note I cannot say much of what I penned but the magical journey I make along the trail with my deluxe wheelbarrow featured in my letter. I describe everything I see on the trail and all of the sounds. The freight train which is endless and the near silent passenger train. They both sweep alongside the perimeter of the wood by the horse’s fields. Then the complete and splendid isolation as silence falls yet again. I tell him about the three rivers and the combined power of the Deben, Stour and the Orwell and how travelling along this gladed trail takes me to a different place every time.
Whenever I need time to reflect and a clear head I find a reason to visit the stables and “walk the walk”.
On the way back I call into the Half Moon at Walton. This pub when run at different times by Patrick a ships purser for Townsend Thorensen has been the hub of the area and has been the nerve centre for countless racing coach expeditions. Mary took it over and made a highly successful go of it restoring it again back to a decent village pub before leaving the trade and the pub slid into decline. Someone thought it might be a good idea to dumb down the pub and put a pool table in and lower the clientele. It didn’t work and conversion to housing loomed but I saw it was “under new management” said the sign and I nipped in to see. A very quiet night but a few old faces had returned and the friendly land lady made me welcome 🙏 Welshwoman Tina runs the nearby Falcon too and it really does feel and look like a pub again. I’m sure SMARTY would approve.
I went into the other bar and it was good to see “crafty” the son of a great old friend that I used to play rugby with indeed the half moon used to be our club house. I bumped into his grandfather the other night so the family had a full house 🏡. Importantly two friends were in tonight one of whom I know well as I did her garden and our kids went to swimming club together. She can see I’m lit up and she asks me what’s occurring we discuss my experience over the last month or so the tree and the chain reaction and the amazing exhibition of Sarah Figlio and how it has catapulted me to an exhibition which is now just over a month away. Remarkably nearly everyone has experienced the weather line and understands about the three rivers effect. I’m not sure if the guy with her is her new partner or not but they look happy. They both ask lots and lots of questions especially about the weather patterns and the ecology. The dates are placed firmly in their diary and the opening night is going to be interesting. I’m preaching to the converted.

[Nathan Hughes]

I don’t think they are frightened to lose as such as there can only be one winner at Cheltenham too. They just see it as the be all and end all and prepare their horse for the big day according to what they think gives them the best chance. It’s mad as like I say they can’t all win

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[sporting sam]

It is still Wednesday and the day has been gulped up with emails of activity organising the exhibition as it is now a work in motion and punches have to be pulled and moves made this tree has a life of its own now and installations are being planned ideas bandied about and questions asked.
The fisherman could not put to sea yesterday beyond the shore it was as calm as you could ask. But a huge swell caused by the prevailing northern north easterlies meant getting off the shore was very trick and capsizing ten feet off the beach is not a good look and deadly dangerous to boot 🥾. Today the sea and the day is a thing of beauty and as much as I’d like to the uniform will be changed for waterproofs and double Guernsey even I’m not going to wear shorts 🩳 everything will be tucked into my wellies!! Rossa Ryan has kept me in beer for the week and if I catch the end of Dundalk or something on the all weather over here I’ll be happy using the two masters philosophy I’m sticking to the TRF and popping up in meydan thread at the post hopefully with an Alexander or two for an penultimate racing going on later.
I’ve touched base with the genius that is Sarah Figlio the artist who has helped me bring the tree to life over the last ten days and her artistic brilliance will be a key competency for me in the coming weeks. If I can, I need to go to the farm stables at Trimley and walk the gladed lane there. Tomorrow is Graham’s send off and the town will rise as one to pay its respects I couldn’t envisage I’d ever go on a day out without this good buddy alongside I really couldn’t but this will be on demand “HAPPY DAYS”. Nothing else could there be.

[moehat]

I’ve got some documentaries that I’d love to share with people but being a technophobe I don’t know how to free them from the constraints of being stuck in ancient VHS tapes. One is a lovely documentary about the Dove lineage made before the wonderful Flakey Dove was born and one about Roscoe Harvey.

[sporting sam]

There was a chap called Paddy Ireland 🇮🇪 in Ipswich in the sixties. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but when I complete my first book sometime in the next six months he’ll have pride of place in a prominent position in it.

The Greenwich Gainsborough and Nacton council estates were served by a secondary modern school in Landseer road and Priory Heath school in nacton road.
Mr Ireland was the headteacher at priory. “Priory” was the main wing of the secondary modern school at the time I believe it may have been split in two to keep the sexes apart which was the convention of the day back then. My older brothers attended the school and by the time the two youngest of us attended,he’d left and the split was then by age rather than sex and Mr Ireland was long gone.
The tiny kids went to Landseer Road for the first two years while the last three years were taken a mile up the road at Priory Heath. I never knew or met Paddy as I said but his name was ledgend amongst everyone and spoken of in hushed tones.
Mr Ireland you see had a pilot’s licence and amongst his rather unorthodox teaching methods were to take his pupils up for flights from Ipswich Airport which was across the road from the school.
His ethic to all and sundry was simple.
“If you aim for the skies you can reach them no matter what you are told “. He was not of his time I’m talking Dead Poets society and The History Boys all rolled into one. He was that gap between youth and Audulthood which mentors can give to their pupils to show them that no one sets your standards with a cap on and no one can tell you that you cannot achieve better far better than that which is offered you.
The Greenwich Gainsborough and Nacton area was central to my life and some twenty years later I’d find myself working at the airport when one of the music industries biggest names would walk into me inbound from Amsterdam and would instigate my book today and today’s musical selection 🎶.
Today everything revolves around the two allotments. I’ve made enquiries to try and source some items from the now rundown stables who may have some useful items surplus to their needs now which I could use on the allotments.
I need to reconfigure Victoria street due to the requisition of space for the car park. I also need to plant some new raspberry canes acquired from an allotment neighbour they are quite old but the roots are the important things here. I’ve also got more willow coppicing to do today as inexplicably I missed an entire stump when harvesting the other three last time. They are incredibly handy as my lovely partner has produced two significant arches one being a centrepiece on the light trail festival at the incredible Helmingham Hall, the other is outside the lovely independent cafe “CUPPA” on Walton high street.
Finally I’m awaiting a call from the fisherman who may be heading out to do his pots or nets at sometime today. He has invited me to venture out and give him a hand in his harvesting….
Two very significant people met this morning on my rounds

The ex wife of our washing machine repairman Rick.
Rick the rogue was often missing in action but when available very good at his work. Like all of us we can always find better things to do than that to which we are assigned. In Rick’s case a fag in his car and a read of his paper were much preferred to mending tumble dryers and fitting dishwashers. But, if you could pin him down and get him through the door, he’d do a very good job. We bit the bullet and replaced the dishwasher a few months ago. I loved the old dishwasher even though it was as eccentric a machine you could get, but I knew where it was like an old black and white telly that you could tap or bash in the right place so it was with the dishwasher. When it began to malfunction and smoke even I acccepted it was time to get another one.
Finding one to fit the space and work with the simplicity of the old one was an impossible task but we settled on a Bosch ordered it and waited delivery 🚚. It arrived and of course the delivery men could only do a modicum towards its installation and as a token of thanks they left with a beer each. They went that extra step and I’m always grateful. We now awaited the arranged arrival of Rick He duly came two days later, two days late this starting a chain of cancelled visits and some of the most ridiculous excuses for not coming he’d mustered in recent years when repairing any machines we had that went wrong. But he always came ( eventually)and always got the job done.
Fitting this machine was a simple job the complicated part was getting the door to go with the existing furniture and we had to endure weeks of a trigger swinging weighted door slamming a bit like arkwights till in “open all hours”. The new machine had come with a “template and the appropriate screws etc to fit to the outer fascia door, but it didn’t fit our old suite and Rick though had a plan. I’ve got a mate in Bury st Edmonds who has the right bits I need so I’ll have to go and get it tomorrow and off he went.
Two days later after several calls we got hold of him. “ unfortunately my mates wife’s mother has died”! So I couldn’t collect the screws we need but I’m going to get them on Tuesday, so I’ll definitely be round Thursday.” There were similar tales in the past and eventually the same woman had actually died twice three years apart!!
Rick didn’t come back and we had to get another fellow round in the end.
But this time he hadn’t come back for good reason and this morning his ex wife told me he’d passed away after a night out. He suffered a massive heart attack and couldn’t be revived about ten days ago. I’ll miss him.
My musical choice today is inspired by that chance meeting with Brian Eno at Ipswich airport and a conversation about ten years ago in a cargo shed at Felixstowe. 94 shed, to be precise working with one of the dockers unloading a container. There were a gang of three lads working together who were as thick as thieves with each other, mates and if you can get your shifts in line with people you get on with and actually like, the day goes better and you can have fun and enjoy your work. When I got to work alongside these particular guys we always had fun. There was always a boom blaster set up alongside a container bay and this day rather than all the rap the kids liked, it was playing rock and roll 🎸. The gang of three were on early shift and had control of the music. One of them said he loved Don Henley’s boys of summer and said the lyrics “dead head sticker on a Cadillac were hugely personal to him.”
and he was nearly in tears as the song played. “Never look back Sam, never look back mate”. For me today it’s Bullet the blue sky by U2 from the album the Joshua Tree 🌲.Brian Eno produced the Joshua tree and it reminds me strongly of our brief encounter at Ipswich Airport. We had a brief but telling conversation and I’ve recorded his words for posterity. Handily I took contemporaneous notes, you never know when they’ll come in handy!!!

[LD73]

Shishkin’s objective is to actually start the race……once a horse has refused to race the first time they are much more likely to repeat the offense going forward. There was an interesting opinion piece in the RP a few days ago by Catherine Macrae regarding horses refusing (Mad Moose and Vodkatini were obviously mentioned) and here are a couple of snipets from the piece that give food for thought:

‘Australian sprinter Chautauqua, who was on par with Shishkin on six top-level victories before he first refused to compete. Known as the grey flash, he pulled the stunt six more times before connections decided enough was enough’.

‘Again and again, the record books show us that horses who refuse to race once are almost guaranteed to do so again, with Supreme winner Labaik, Oaks heroine Sariska and Hong Kong’s cult hero Pakistan Star all supporting this worrying conclusion which no doubt has been at the forefront of Nicky Henderson’s mind over the past seven days’.

‘It could very well be less about if Shishkin will repeat this newest trick, and more a question of when’.

Coming back to the race itself, what makes me chuckle is that Hendo is worried about CH having a hard race in deep ground 17 days before the Christmas Hurdle (reallly….the hardest race he has had was in his PTP when he got beat a head) but he doesn’t mention it is exactly the same for Shishkin, who comparably speaking actually has the infinitely tougher job on over Christmas. Guess his soft spot for Shishkin must have fallen off a bit after all the headaches he is giving him.

Fyi – Sandown on the hurdles course is currently soft (heavy in places) with predictions of possibly another 25mm of rain to fall during the week – I would be surprised if he ran them both as clearly it is Shishkin who needs the run on Saturday more than CH.

[sporting sam]

A great weekend even if the Twins made off with my Saturday copy of the racing post.
It’s December 4th as we spin relentlessly towards the unspeakable festival of greed overindulgence and selfishness. No, I don’t mean Cheltenham.
More relationships come to an inevitable end over this time than at any other time.
It means a lot to so many people for so many differing reasons. I’d happily pass on it myself.(or worse).
I’ve got back into the swing of my racing again with a group 1 winner over night in America for the round the world in 80 ways thread.
The main news other than my inclusion in the art exhibition next month is my first installation starts today. I’ve won a commission to restore a bed in the town. It is actually a rockery bordering an old cottage. This rockery is overgrown and riddled with weeds. My task this week is to learn the art of posting my pictures on this thread do you can see this installation take shape it will be done in time for the exhibition on January 11.
My Co-exhibitor Mike, a highly talented cinematographer cum photographer has the task of deciding his role in this exhibition He is certainly the lead as he has exhibited in his chosen profession before and will I hope gain further recognition from this event.
The reason for asking Drone to post up the images? The Hydrangeas will form part of a montage/ collage at the Exhibition of the bouquets that I’ve made up in the past week. It has been difficult getting available staff in the shop so I had a go myself and while my flower arrangements haven’t got a patch on that of Amber it is time I had a go as the charity push will come to an end for me and I will move on towards earning a keep from my work.
Musically there are a couple of songs or two that I’m putting up today including this one ironically by the Liverpool band the Christians
Forgotten Town.
The featured albums this week will be the iconic and very apt U2’s
The JOSHUA TREE and
HACKNEY DIAMONDS ♦️ by the Rolling Stones

[LD73]

Ruby – look how close they were bunched up on the home turn compared to where the 3rd ended up at the line (12L back), honestly I was a bit surprised that Teahupoo was able to go with him and that made it look like IEP didn’t quicken up.

He has no other options than the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham as the Stayers Hurdle will be too far for him and there are much better stayers he would be facing there anyway. A drop back to a strongly run 2m will suite him but they might need to look into getting a pacemaker as sometimes the 2m races can get tactical.

Have to say after this I was even more impressed with State Man’s return and I wouldn’t be certain that IEP would finish in front of him at Cheltenham as I was a little underwhelmed by State Man’s run in the Champion….at the moment CH holds all the aces and assuming he comes back (be it Sandown or Kempton) in the same way he started last year……they both have to improve a significant amount but as the saying goes…..you have to be in it to win it.

[Red Rum 77]

Messages

First : The usual but all important check your scores for errors and let me know if I’d made any.
I will correct it if any are found ASAP.

Second : Most of the races will be of the National Hunt except when the main venue gets cancelled for reasons or the Lincoln in spring. This week the reserve race nearly took the place of the main race and a few, before it was known did put in selections for the reserve race. THANK YOU for that.

P.S. Fairyhouse itself was under inspection, if both races was to be cancelled then that week might be voided. Unless you want me to find an alternative Sunday race.

Third : Thank you for those taking part, this competition was inspired by Pat123

Fourth : My usual TRF vs Pricewise Cheltenham Competition starts in the New Year.

You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.

[greenasgrass]

It’s a bit ridiculous having 4 for this- I’m already on Grangeclare West, American Mike and Grey Dawning- but I think Monty’s Star is going to be Henry de Bromhead’s next Gold Cup winner. Gorgeous big beast made for fences. Came second in a P2P – to Stay Away Fay, who jumped the last better and Monty was then eased- and was just marking time over hurdles.

He has some decent opposition today and will likely need the full 3 miles to be at his best. Also might need the run a bit as he is such a beast (his half brother Monalee won his first chase, big Minella Indo lost his albeit to Laurina over 2m4f). But I expect class and jumping ability to get him there and I think the 13-2 today is a good price, took that and the 50s for the BANC.