Bits and Pieces

Been mainly building the notebook without a great deal of betting and there’s one coming up of interest to day a Fakenham 1:40.

Call the Dance is pretty highly thought of by Nicky Henderson - “She is a lovely home bred mare of James and Jean Potters out of Hora who we trained, and she was a good staying mare herself. Call The Dance finished fourth in what I think was a good race at Ludlow in January and then won very nicely at Southwell in April. She has come back looking a picture, ...

It may be Champions Day on Saturday with the horseflesh elite treading the turf, but there are a few decent jumpers on show elsewhere all being well.

I’m particularly interested in JPR One at Newton Abbott, who was due to go over fences last season, but a torn muscle made them wait ‘til this season to retain his novice status. Evidently he jumps very well and I reckon he’s going to be very good.

Won’t have it all his own way by any means. Iceo was in the same boat and ...

Evidently the rain at Chepstow was of biblical proportions and turned the hurdles course into a quagmire with the chase course not as bad. Hopefully, it’ll stay dry today and be a bit better.

Of interest today, albeit betting unlikely.

2:30 - not sure why Henderson is persevering with Emir Sacree who only ran four times last season and pulled up in three of them. A decent run at Sandown when he did complete, though.

3rd - much better run, bowled along ...

Here we go then, hope everyone has a cracking season. I suppose it’s really a day for watching and enjoying, but I dare say the odd bet will not be resisted.

1:50 - Some old friends in this. Danny Kirwan goes well fresh, but it looks like the ground is going against him. The form of Thomas Darby goes in and out like a fiddlers elbow, but he’s another who shines early.

DANNY KIRWAN looked to be going very easily in a prominent position, the emptied very quickly just ...

There was I looking disconsolately at the ravaged tables in the Reet Hard dining room, nearly empty with just a couple of delicacies hidden amongst the dog-eared sandwiches. But, wait. What’s that door into the Constitution Hill room - I peaked into a dining room much less opulent than the Reet Hard, but with tables groaning under the weight of the most succulent dishes imaginable.

The notice said it wasn’t open yet, but I couldn’t wait and dashed in only to find everything was covered ...