Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Short briefs

The best National for sheer spectacle is the annual Mascot Grand National; this year's renewal was run at Huntingdon racecourse on Sunday. A field of over 100 runners faced the starter, with victory going to Wacky Mackey Bear of Saffron Walden Town. I wonder what the bookmakers' overround was...

The National Hunt season moves up a gear on Saturday; the card at Chepstow is traditionally the BBC's first jumps transmission of the season. In the past Philip Hobbs' operation has targeted this meeting but the stable looks a little off the pace at the moment. By way of contrast, the Twiston-Davies team are in superb form.

Kieren Fallon has been in the news a little over the past few days. It was interesting to see his defence counsel question the impartiality of the detective in charge of the case who has, apparently, been offered a job with the Jockey Club. A slight conflict of interest perhaps...?

I see Vivid Imagination fell three out at Exeter today when looking held. The trip, just short of three miles, together with the stiff track, will not have played to his strengths.

If you're thinking of going racing in the next couple of months, here's a reminder of the John Smith's BOGOF offer which is available at selected courses until the end of December. I'm hoping to get to Aintree in a couple of weeks' time.

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