Race reading this Christmas

If the thought of Christmas with the family fills you with horror, perhaps some of the following tomes might help to ease the pain...

Frankel: The Wonder Horse Racing Post and Andrew Pennington

Kauto Star: A Steeplechasing Legend Andrew Pennington

Black Caviar: The Horse Of A Lifetime Gerard Whateley

Racing Crazy: The Best Of David Ashforth David Ashforth

The Secrets Of Pricewise James Milton
 Once we have all read and inwardly digested this work, I presume Pricewise will have no secrets remaining and as a result will be left looking for work...

When Racing Was Racing: A Century On The Turf Adam Powley
 Something of a trip down memory lane for miserable old buffers such as myself...

Lord Derby And His Horses: A Tory Grandee And The Turf Quintin Barry

Britain And Ireland's Top 100 Racehorses Of All Time Robin Oakley
 Panned in no uncertain terms by one 'Stoker Devonshire' in the Spectator (Oct 27 2012) - his review concludes with the quote: 'This is a lazy little book...' Private Eye (No. 1326, 2-15 November 2012, p28) points out this is worrying as Oakley is the Spectator's racing correspondent, going on to suggest 'Stoker' is in fact his Grace the Duke who may just have half an eye on Oakley's job...

My Animals And Other Family Clare Balding       
  Ms Balding's surprisingly self-deprecating look at her early years; somehow, Clare's 'old school' grandma manages to steal the show...   

And finally...

Fifty Sheds Of Grey: A Parody: Erotica For The Not-Too-Modern Male C.T.Grey    

Eclectic quick links

Starting on a sad note with two racing obituaries... Ginger McCain, trainer of Red Rum and Michael Jarvis, 'one of the most popular figures in his sport'.

With new Natinal Hunt season just around the corner...

Betfred will sponsor the Cheltenham Gold Cup but Imperial Commander is out for the season.

Sizing Europe is set to make his seasonal debut at Gowran Park on Saturday.

Ferdy Murphy reports Kalahari King in the form of his life.

Noel Meade is waiting for the soft ground for Pandorama.

Trainer Patrick Prendergast is aiming for the Weatherby's Champion Bumper with Wandering Aengus.

Some might consider Nicky Richards' Noble Alan a winner without a penalty after the gelding unshipped Brian Harding two from home when holding every chance in the listed chase at Market Rasen yesterday.

Chris Bealby had a good word for point winner Chac du Cadran recently, describing his charge as 'capable of winning NH novice hurdles on soft ground'.

Saturday's Times Magazine (dated 24.09.11)  features an article on Leon Max, the Russian clothing tycoon and owner of the Easton Neston estate in Northamptonshire which incorporates Towcester racecourse.

Finally, those who enjoyed the collection of photographs taken by Racing Post photographer Ed Whitaker in his book  In The Frame may be interested to know a second volume, Beyond The Frame, has just been published -definitely has the look of potential Christmas present material!

Weekend musings

Earlier today Blue Bunting made amends for her Epsom disappointment by taking the Irish Oaks while Workforce delighted connections in a Newmarket gallop and looks on course for a clash with St Nicholas Abbey and Rewilding in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. This evening Betfred bets 11/10 St Nicholas Abbey, 2/1 Rewilding, 11/4 Workforce; William Hill offers 11/10 St Nicholas Abbey, 5/2 Workforce, 11/4 Rewilding.

They went hard up front in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen, with the result several were struggling on the second circuit. Much as it pains me, I am obliged to report the mother-in-law took one look at the TV two minutes before the off and selected Qulinton; the wretched beast landed the spoils in what can only be described as a very convincing manner. Gutted. With gloating still ringing in my ears, I can report this evening that Stan James offers a miserly-looking 8/1 about David Pipe's charge for the Galway Plate on 27th July while Boylesports quotes 16/1. I wonder if connections are intending to make the trip over the Irish Sea...

Bookshelf notes - The Story of Your Life: A History of "The Sporting Life" Newspaper (1859-1988) looks a must for serious sports fans (currently £17.04 with free P&P from Amazon). Having enjoyed Nicholas Foulkes' Gentlemen and Blackguards: Gambling Mania and the Plot to Steal the Derby of 1844, I was tempted by D J Taylor's Derby Day, marketed as 'a Victorian mystery'; two contrasting reader reviews have made me think again. One tome I will purchase in the near future is The Form Book Jumps Annual 2010-2011 (£21.99).

Finally, if you follow football, Monday night's Dispatches on Channel 4 may be of interest; it's entitled  'How To Buy a Football Club'.

In a nutshell...

Those lucky enough to be at Newmarket yesterday saw something exceptional when Frankel demolished his field to win the 2011 2000 Guineas by six lengths; the crowd's applause commenced with two furlongs still to race. Earlier this afternoon Dettori rode 16/1 chance Blue Bunting to victory for the 'Boys in Blue' in the 1000 Guineas.

Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the legalisation of UK betting shops. The spartan establishments those of us of a particular age used to frequent in the mid sixites bear no resemblance to our modern shops. Sound only commentaries, betting shop tax, it was something of a 'guilty pleasure'. Some complain the prevalence of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) threaten to turn today's shops into glorified amusement arcades, yet in 2008 these machines became the first product to earn more for Ladbrokes than horse racing. Money talks, as they say.

All that contrasts markedly with the tales of chicanery and criminality I'm currently reading about in Nicholas Foulkes' excellent book 'Gentlemen and Blackguards: Gambling Mania and the Plot to Steal the Derby of 1844'; the paperback version is due to be released on May 26th.

The Punchestown Festival starts on Tuesday - latest declarations here. I've blogged selected races from this meeting in the past but due to commitments can't this year (probably something of a blessing!) Where possible, I'll post some selections...

A final footnote on the royal wedding... One of the troopers from the Household Cavalry was thrown from his mount as the wedding procession made its winding way from the Abbey back to Buckingham Palace. The thoroughbred sped past the newly-married couple and headed for Hyde Park barracks where it was caught; rumours that Her Majesty is considering supplementing the beast for this year's Derby are apparently wide of the mark.

In the news...

Following a week in which the fallout from last week's Grand National could be described as significant, racing again finds itself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Reports in the press this weekend indicate that the British Horseracing Authority is at present refusing to comment on fresh race-fixing allegations that could involve up to five jockeys. Watch this space, as they say...

On the Grand National... Professor Tim Morris, Director of Equine Science and Welfare at the BHA, has had a busy week with media commitments and he appeared on Saturday's Morning Line. He acknowledged racing is a sport that comes with its risks and can never be made risk-free; nonetheless every avenue would be explored to reduce the risks involved in response to public reaction to last Saturday's events. Interestingly, he inferred that many of the comments the BHA had received related to the misuse of the whip; he appeared unequivocal on that point - the whip is not a welfare issue.

In amongst it all, I just wondered about SamWaley-Cohen's thoughts after the big race. Should he have kicked on when Ballabriggs blundered and lost the lead six from home? Another opinion I've heard in places - if the field had jumped 30 (rather than 28) fences, Oscar Time would probably have collected the spoils.

Former BBC political correspondent and racing man Robin Oakley has been busy of late. Following the hardback release of Frankincense and More: The Biography of Barry Hills last September, The Cheltenham Festival: A Centenary History has just been published. Incidentally, the paperback version of the former title is set to be released on 20th May. If  Robin Oakley isn't quite your cup of tea, perhaps Gary Wiltshire, 'The Belly from the Telly', is. Winning It Back: The Autobiography of Britain's Biggest Gambler is now on the bookshelves. Gary lost £1 million when Frankie Dettori famously went through the card at Ascot on 28th September 1996; that event made Gary Wiltshire famous - as he says in the preface, every cloud...   

Bits and pieces...

 Regular readers will know that Cheltenham was something of an unmitigated disaster for yours truly this year but a couple more points come to mind... Full marks to Ruby Walsh on two scores. Firstly, Walsh, who had dropped his whip just before the final flight in the World Hurdle, knew Big Buck's had saved his bacon and told it exactly as it was in the post-race interviews; secondly, the same jockey made a particular point of going to congratulate Gold Cup winning rider Sam Waley-Cohen as the horses circled waiting to return to the unsaddling enclosures. Well done Ruby Walsh on both counts.

The latest Cheltenham fashions included horse shoes that look like hooves which were available for purchase at £1,300 a pair. The latest extreme-sports craze is apparently 'horse-boarding' where a competitor stands on a skateboard and is pulled by horse at speeds up to 35 mph!

The best bit of news I heard at the this year's Festival - a colleague had recently purchased an annual membership badge at Hereford for just £100. With 19 fixtures scheduled throughout the year, that works out at £5.26 per meet - what a bargain!

The Daily Telegraph boasts a long, proud tradition of horse racing coverage and clearly Martin Smith has been delving into the their archives. Kings, Queens & Four-Legged Athletes: The Daily Telegraph Book Of Horse Racing was published recently and recalls many a memorable racing occasion. Available from Amazon at £13.79, free postage & packing thrown in.

Finally I have a confession to make. I'm not quite sure but I think I'm starting to develop a crush on the teacher taking Paddy Power's adult education class, in much the same way as Peter Kay has a fancy for Clare from work. Maffs has never been one of my stronger subjects (nor spellng for that matter), so I thought I'd join Victor (Meldrew?) and William (Hague?) and ask for the extra lessons. Of course, it's highly unlikely such classes, held weekly in Room 6B, will ever result in any improvement in the quality of the tips published here, but I'll let you know how I get on anyway.

Noted this new year

Oscar Whisky's odds for the Champion Hurdle shortened markedly after yesterday's emphatic victory in the Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club Hurdle; William Hill go 12s, Blue Square 16s about Nicky Henderson's six-year-old.

The father and son combination of Colin and Joe Tizzard experienced the highs and lows of the jumping game in the space of thirty minutes at Cheltenham yesterday. Stable stalwart Joe Lively had to be put down after breaking a leg when hampered at the twelfth in the Raceodds Handicap Chase. Half an hour later Hell's Bay brought some consolation to the yard by holding Medermit to take the Dipper Novices' Chase.

Flat trainer Roger Charlton is looking to have his first runner at the Cheltenham Festival in March after Keys held Cinders And Ashes a short-head in the concluding bumper. A stewards' inquiry followed but the placings remained unaltered - both horses are 16/1 with Victor Chandler for the Weatherby's Champion Bumper in March.

Over at Exeter three pound claimer Danny Cook had an interesting time aboard David Pipe's even money favourite Spanish Cruise in the 3.25. The rider was almost unseated at the start, losing his irons until after the first in the process. Spanish Cruise then went to the head of affairs but looked in trouble two out when pecking on landing and forfeiting the lead to 7/1 chance Sea Saffron. Cook perservered with a strong challenge and managed to get his mount back in front in the shadow of the post - the winning distance was recorded as half a length.

For reasons I won't go into, just before Christmas I needed a blagger's guide to classical music - Stephen Fry's Incomplete and Utter History of Classical Music was a recommendation that came my way. This work I found rather hard work - I ended up spending too much time trying to separate the wheat from the chaff (bit rich that, coming from me, I know, but what the hell!) Fortunately, Santa brought me Ruby: The Autobiography - altogether a much easier and much better read all round.

To conclude, two other books to look out for in the January sales... The Horse: A Celebration of Horses in Art by Rachel Barnes and Simon Barnes is a big book (43.4 cms x 36.6 cms) that will require a big coffee table while Dominic Prince's Jumbo to Jockey: Fasting to the Finishing Post could prove a source of inspiration to those who, like me, need help in the dieting department following the over-indulgences of the Christmas period.

Suggested reading during a cold spell

The big freeze means there's no jump racing tomorrow. The Tingle Creek has been re-scheduled to 1.55 Cheltenham Saturday December 11th provided, of course, the weather relents; the course hope to lay down covers this Sunday.

Meetings already abandoned include:

Sunday 5th December: Kelso, Clonmel, Punchestown
Monday 6th December: Bangor-On-Dee, Musselburgh
Tuesday 7th December: Sedgefield
Wednesday 8th December: Hexham.

What to do? Why not try a little race reading...

Ruby: The Autobiography by Ruby Walsh

Kauto Star & Denman by Jonathan Powell

McCoy: A Racing Post Celebration by Brough Scott

The Cheltenham World of Jump Racing by Mick Fitzgerald

Lucky Break by Paul Nicholls

Frankincense and More: The Biography of Barry Hills by Robin Oakley

Kinane: A Remarkable Racing Family by Anne Holland

In The Frame: Great Racing Photographs by Edward Whitaker

Dark Horses Jumps Guide 2010-2011 by Marten Julian

Fallon: The Biography by Andrew Longmore

Freud On Course: The Racing Lives of Clement Freud by Clement Freud

Rodders of Arabia by Rod Simpson with Stuart Brodkin

Eclipse by Nicholas Clee

Mixed musings of an inconsequential nature

In last month's Yorkshire Oaks Sariska refused to leave the stalls allowing Henry Cecil's Midday to collect the spoils. Three and a half weeks on and something remarkably similar happened in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp this afternoon; once again Sariska failed to come out of the stalls and Midday took the spoils. Connections immediately retired Sariska while Skybet have shortened Midday to even money for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

There was a bit of a turn-up in yesterday's St. Leger at Doncaster where the Godolphin even money hotpot, Rewilding, failed to fire, coming home a well-beaten sixth behind John Gosden's 12/1 chance Arctic Cosmos. Corsica (40/1) from the Mark Johnson yard ensured there was no hanging around, setting a searching gallop and staying on stoutly to finish third, beaten a nose for second by the Aidan O'Brien trained Midas Touch. Meanwhile over in Ireland Olivier Peslier brought 13/8 favourite Sans Frontieres to the front with a well-timed run to record a comfortable three quarter length win from market rival Profound Beauty. This represents a first Group One win for owner Sir Robert Ogden; connections have indicated that the Melbourne Cup in November is 'very much on the cards.'

Some potentially interesting race readers to keep an eye out for with (the threat of) Christmas just around the corner...

Ruby: The Autobiography by Ruby Walsh [publication date to be announced];

Kauto Star & Denman by Jonathan Powell;

Gentlemen and Blackguards: Gambling Mania and the Plot to Steal the Derby of 1844 by Nicholas Foulkes;

Race Profiles - Jumps 2010-2011 by Dr Peter May;

No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone by Tom Bower [publication date to be announced].


Plenty has been written over the past week on the antics of England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. By some distance the most amusing article I came across was Frank Skinner's piece in Friday's Times. I had to smile at this particular line: 'Ms Thompson said, on one occasion, when Rooney approached her in a hotel, that Michael Owen looked at him with disgust. Apparently this caused Owen to pull a muscle in his face and he has been out of action for six weeks.'

Last night the contestants in Strictly Come Dancing 2010 were allocated their dance partners and told to go away and practice for three weeks. The layers, never ones to miss an opportunity, have already priced up the field. Mrs Tips comes into her own with this sort of stuff - her verdict on Gavin Henson was particularly harsh (in case you were tempted by 20/1); personally I thought Gavin bore a remarkable resemblance to Fireman Elvis Cridlington of Fireman Sam fame.

Finally, one of next Saturday's features is the Ayr Gold Cup; the Morning Line guest, advertised in advance, is the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP MP. Forget the politics, Alex Salmond rates an entertainment in his own right and ranks high on a list of people I'd care to have dinner with. I shall rise early in time for next Saturday's scheduled transmission.

Noted this weekend

The two star performances over the weekend were St Nicholas Abbey winning the Racing Post Trophy and over in Ireland Dunguib taking the maiden hurdle at Galway. This evening St Nicholas Abbey is generally 3/1 and 7/2 for next year's 2000 Guineas and 3/1 for the Derby, but Stan James go as short as 2/1. Dunguib is generally a 5/2 shot for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.

Paul Nicholls may have come away from Chepstow without a winner yesterday but it was no surprise to see his Pepe Simo (5/2) take the Paul Nicholls Racing 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Wincanton today, beating the 13/8 favourite Henry King a length and a quarter.

During the BBC's coverage from Aintree on Saturday Clare Balding mentioned the John Smith's marketing campaign which is set to offer drinkers a share in the people's racehorse, a three-year-old called Smithy. Viewers were encouraged to check the John Smith's website for details. I've just had a quick peek - there are 'bogof' offers to several interesting meets but finding details of Smithy wasn't easy. An article from Marketing informed us we can register our interest from January 2010, and it was that article that pointed me in the direction of the link to Smithy's Yard, Home of the People's Racehorse.

With Christmas creeping ever closer, two more books of interest - Marcus Armytage offers some frivolous racing tales in 'Turn Me On Guv: 'Tails' from the Racecourse', while those looking for something a little more serious may want to consider fellow blogger Ben Aitken's 'Narrowing The Field - Using the Dosage Method to Win at National Hunt Racing', available from the High Stakes bookshop.

Several acquaintances have been quick to tell me about Wrexham's indifferent start in the Blue Square Premiership this season. Mrs Tips, ever the helpful one, suggested the club sent a scout to run his eye over some dolphins who were filmed off the north Wales coast, playing football with jellyfish... Staying with the football theme, I had to smile at the commentator's introduction to the Chelsea versus Blackburn Rovers match on Match Of The Day last night. "If football was played on paper," he boomed, "we would win the pools every week!" Doesn't sound a bad idea to me.

Finally, spare a thought for amateur rider Victoria Cartmel who made history yesterday by becoming the first jockey to be banned for misuse of the whip and dropping her hands in the same race, the finale at Newbury yesterday. Sometimes, you just can't do right for doing wrong...

Matters arising...

A couple of performances impressed over the weekend - Rip Van Winkle's determination when challenged by Zacinto in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Barizan's victory in the juvenile novice hurdle at Market Rasen. Barizan raced off a mark of 140 which some (myself included) thought may have flattered a little but he hurdled fluently and won as he liked. I'd heard a quiet whisper for the second, Classic Contours, who finished a respectable thirteen lengths second - that was a decent enough effort on his first try over hurdles and he looks one to keep in mind for the future in this sphere.

I have a confession to make - after watching Richard Dunwoody dance the 'Cha Cha Cha' in Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing, I picked up the phone, tears still rolling down my cheeks, and voted for the man. What a star! Unfortunately, it was all to no avail and 'Richard Dun-goody' was promptly dumped out of the competition in no uncertain terms, like a novice chaser falling at the second. Of course, the BBC has missed yet another opportunity to increase its diminished racing coverage.

Around this time of year books start to appear on the shelves of shops, just in time for Christmas. In Waterstone's (Coventry) the other day I came across a copy of Fallon: The Biography by Andrew Longmore and Paul Nicholls' autobiography Lucky Break while Saturday's Times printed extracts from Michael Henderson's 50 People Who Fouled Up Football. I quote the author: 'There is no joy in English football today, and little dignity. The game is richer to the tune of many billions, yet it is poorer in spirit... Football has been shamed by people who do not hold its best interests at heart.' Amongst the fifty named and shamed are Piers Morgan, Alan Hansen, Nigel Kennedy, Victoria Beckham, Alan Green ('a man who speaks almost exclusively in capital letters'), Don Revie, Billy Bragg and even the fans themselves. I think I'm going to have to order a copy...

Football may have its billions but during the BBC's coverage of the European Eventing Championships this afternoon I watched Clare Balding interview one Piggy French who had just won herself a silver medal. 'Piggy French? Do people like that still exist?' I hear you cry; well, quite clearly, they do. You'll be pleased to learn that Piggy isn't her real name - Simon Barnes informs us her name is Georgina - the family nickname came about as her older sister thought she looked like Piglet from Winnie The Pooh. Different world altogether, isn't it?

Finally, I bring to your attention something I've spent a long time waiting for - left-handed underpants. According to aptly-named underwear seller Horn, 'They'll save left-handed men vital seconds.' It's all just pants really.

Weekend reflections

Connections will take their time before making a decision on Inglis Drever's career after the current three mile hurdle champion sustained a hock injury and was pulled up on his seasonal debut at Newbury. Bookmakers have removed him from their lists for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham next March; Ladbrokes currently bet 3/1 Kasbah Bliss, 6/1 Punchestowns, Duc De Regniere, 8/1 Blazing Bailey, 12/1 Elusive Dream, 16/1 Pettifour, Mobaasher.

There was over £1.5 million in the Scoop6 bonus pool on Saturday, with eight tickets covering over half the fifteen strong field that went to post for the Hennessy. Given that winning trainer David Pipe had told those who would listen not to back his Madison Du Berlais as the yard was going through a quiet spell, it wasn't a surprise to find the pot unclaimed. The sum will be carried over, probably to Cheltenham on Saturday 13th December.

It's likely to be a long, pressurised week for Sam Thomas, due to ride Master Minded in Saturday's Tingle Creek at Sandown. On each of the past two Saturdays he has parted company with his charge at the final flight of the day's feature race. The unseating from Big Buck's in the Hennessy didn't look great - I'm sure he's watched the replay a few times and will feel he could have stayed in the plate.

Browsing in the Leamington branch of Waterstone's over the weekend I came across Ross Newton's book The Tail End System; I had barely managed a quick glance before Mrs Tips started giving me earache about the Christmas shopping. In a nutshell, Newton gives details of a system that looks to make profits from backing outsiders in British National Hunt races from October to May. An outsider is considered anything that starts at 10/1 or bigger and Newton goes on to identify the tracks where this type of wager is most successful. The top tracks include Musselburgh, Ludlow, Towcester, Carlisle, Catterick and Perth; the striking thing for me was that of those six, five race right-handed.

Those who race at Ludlow on a regular basis are bound to be familiar with The Feathers Hotel, parts of which date back to 1619. In an accident on Friday evening, a bus mounted the pavement and crashed into the facade. The driver appears to have collapsed at the wheel and died at the scene.

Finally, make a note of the new Racing Post website - http://www.racingpost.com/

In brief

Cheltenham's three-day Open meeting starts on Friday. The unique Cross Country Chase is the feature on the first day, the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle the feature on the final day and sandwiched in between, on Saturday, is the highlight of the whole meeting, the Paddy Power Gold Cup. It's early days yet but one horse I won't be backing (on grounds of value alone) is Paul Nicholls' Silverburn - at the time of writing the horse is 7/2 favourite with most bookmakers but only 100/30 with the Tote. In the past I've found the trainer has tended to be pretty bullish about this half-brother to Denman but in my mind the horse hasn't always delivered. I think two and a half miles will suit but it's interesting to note that Silverburn has only won once when racing over further than the minimum trip; last season he didn't appear to stay three miles. During the week I'll look closely at Nicky Henderson's runners as well as Alan King's Ouzbeck, (apparently preferred by stable jockey Robert Thornton to Il Duce), although the layers aren't taking any chances by pricing him up at just 8/1. Meanwhile Finger Onthe Pulse has the Rehearsal Chase as his target.

It's not that often BBC Radio Four throws up a racing story but sixteen stone Dominic Prince, journalist and jockey, has wasted to a mere twelve in a journey he describes in 'Jumbo to jockey'. The programme is to be aired on 23rd December with an accompanying book due out next spring.

Talking of books, another to hit the market just in time for Christmas is Brough Scott's 'Of Horses and Heroes: A Racing Tribute'. Thought I'd mention it, in case you were struggling to come up with ideas for a Christmas present...

It would appear it's not just the banks that have been affected by the credit crunch. Bookmaker William Hill has begun negotiations with several of the aforemetioned banks about refinancing a large chunk of debt. Hmmm... no sympathy from these quarters!

I was preparing to monitor Straw Bear and (the somewhat salaciously-named) Tara Two Hills at Exeter tomorrow. Straw Bear hasn't been declared on account of the ground and I guess the same comment applies to the other horse as well. Last week Steve Taylor's 'Behind The Stats' column in the Weekender highlighted Alan Honeyball's operation, with Tara Two Hills being aimed at the mares-only novice hurdle due off at 4.10. At the time of writing the going at Exeter is described as heavy, waterlogged in places. There's a 7.30 inspection scheduled for the morning - my guess is we'll be lucky to see any racing at Exeter tomorrow.

After the Arc

The BBC's Arc coverage certainly succeeded in conveying the excitement and sense of expectation from the track; it was unfortunate that post-race analysis had to be cut short following the delayed start. I didn't think Zarkava would win, but I certainly wouldn't have appeared on national television, as Rishi Persad did, saying 'If Zarkava wins, I'll walk home.' I wonder how far north of Paris he is...

One small correction - Zarkava's win from stall number one was the first time a horse has won from that berth since 1964.

From the sublime to the ridiculuous - the false start in the earlier Prix de l'Abbaye threatened to cast a cloud over the whole meeting. Stall 17, housing Jeremy Noseda's Fleeting Spirit, failed to open. The race was eventually re-run at the end of the day with Marchand D'Or collecting the spoils.

With everyone's attention on Longchamp, Wacky Macky Bear's victory in the 10th Mascot Grand National at Huntingdon has gone practically unnoticed. The Saffron Waldron Town mascot was winning the race for the second year in succession.

Christmas is coming. Two books on my present list are Ed Whitaker's 'In The Frame: Great Racing Photographs' and Andrew Longmore's 'Kieren Fallon: The Biography'. The latter text doesn't appear to be available in hardback at the moment; according to Waterstone's, the paperback is due to be published in February 2009.

Steve Coogan is to star as Bob 'Bing' Crosby in 'Sunshine', a bittersweet drama from the BBC about a workshy binman who develops an addiction to gambling; the first episode is tomorrow at 9.00pm. It brings to mind Robbie Fox from twenty odd years ago in a series I can't remember the name of. In all honesty this doesn't really make much appeal - I'll probably see how it starts off.

Footnotes

Fifteen Group 1 victories for Ballydoyle this season and we haven't seen the end of July yet!

In the paddock before Duke Of Marmalade's victory in the King George, the BBC commentators pounced on Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone whose wife (Mrs Ecclestone, apparently) owns Petara Bay. Mr Ecclestone looked like a fish out of water as first Claire Balding and then Willie Carson fired numerous questions at him. Willie's approach to shake hands with the great man was so disconcerting, Mr Ecclestone dropped from his sweaty palm the two pound coin he had been clutching throughout the preliminaries and was determined to invest on his wife's horse; in that very instance bookmakers shortened the odds on Petara Bay from 100/1 to 66/1...

Five days of top-class racing start at the Glorious Goodwood meeting on Tuesday. Highlights include the Sussex Stakes, the Goodwood Cup, the Nassau Stakes and the Stewards' Cup. On Wednesday the course is to honour Sir Peter O'Sullevan who celebrates his 90th birthday this year. On the same day, at 9.00pm, BBC1 transmits an hour-long Panorama special entitled 'Racing's Dirty Secrets'.

Yesterday I came across a copy of Andrew Longmore's Kieren Fallon: The Biography. It's the first racing book I've felt compelled to read in a long while. Amazon currently gives two possible dates for publication of the paperback edition- 17th July 2008 and 5th February 2009.

The hottest weekend of the year and in the post I receive literature from Aintree racecourse encouraging purchase of tickets for the 2009 Grand National. Talking of the winter game, I noticed Woolworths offering Waddingtons 'Escalado' racing game at the knockdown price of £8.00. I am going to buy one - it will help dispel some of the disappointment friends tend to experience when their much-anticipated trip to the races has to be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Bits and pieces

I haven't followed the ongoing Fallon trial that closely. Still, you can't help but wonder at some of the stuff that creeps out. Apparently England star Michael Owen texted Kieren on a daily basis. What really made me smile was Fallon's explanation (presumably to the police) as to why horses had to be held up: "If you go too fast too early, you'll end up like Paula Radcliffe did in the Olympics."

Latest score - Jamie Spencer 185 - Seb Saunders 183.

Around this time of year I keep an eye out for new racing books which might be of interest as potential Christmas presents. Perhaps I'm getting old and miserable but this year's offerings don't make that much appeal. The Racing Post has compiled a list of 1000 racing quotations and the 500 strangest racing stories, while Dave Nevison's recently published A Bloody Good Winner: Life As A Professional Gambler includes details of his nocturnal exploits according to The Times' Alan Lee. I think I'll give it a miss and find myself a ghost story instead.

Some snippets...

Mark Howard's annual publication 'One Jump Ahead' is now available in bookshops priced very reasonably at £6.99.

The St Leger is set to take place at Doncaster on Saturday but it looks increasingly unlikely that Peeping Fawn will run in the Arc. Saturday's Racing Post informed readers that Ladbrokes have not quoted the filly in their Arc lists but will give punters 10/1 if they ask for the price. The view at The Magic Sign is Peeping Fawn will be aimed at next year's race. Julian Muscat, writing in today's Times, comments 'She [PF] certainly merits her place, but for the Coolmore syndicate which owns both her and Dylan Thomas, the filly beating the colt would amount to economic folly.'

Staying with the Arc, Manduro tries twelve furlongs for the first time on Sunday in the Prix Foy; the outcome should prove conclusively whether or not the horse stays the trip.

Christmas is coming

Picture the scene. It's Christmas Day, you've had more than you can take of family and relatives and, to make matters worse, all the traditional Boxing Day fixtures have been frozen off. What are you going to do?

You're going to start reading a racing book you had the foresight to ask for as a Christmas present. Here's a couple of suggestions...

Gambling: a story of triumph and disaster by Mike Atherton

Riding the storm: my autobiography by Timmy Murphy

Mark Johnson: the authorised biography by Nick Townsend

The festive season is also the time of year the Injured Jockeys' Fund makes a lot of its money. If you fancy making a purchase to support the work of this deserving charity, check out details on their website http://www.ijf.org.uk

Superform Jumping Annual 2006

The Superform Jumping Annual was on my doorstep when I arrived home last night. I've purchased this tome for more years than I care to count; it's reasonably priced and a useful reference tool, enabling you to build up a decent pen picture of any particular horse. Perhaps it doesn't have the authority of Timeform's Chasers and Hurdlers but then it does cost rather less.

Last year saw a change in tradition with publication taking place in late September; previously publication was around June time.

I'd noticed it wasn't so easy to pick up a copy at W.H. Smith's so this time around I ordered direct from Superform who obliged with a £3 discount on RRP and free UK postage and packing.

Check out the supplier if you want to purchase a copy.

http://www.superform.com

Recommended reading

This weekend saw the tenth anniversary of Frankie Dettori's famous seven Ascot winners. Graham Sharpe of William Hill has a book entitled 'The Magnificent Seven' due to be published at the end of this month; following Saturday afternoon's spat it's unlikely Aidan O'Brien will be purchasing a copy.

In The Times Critic's Chart column on Saturday, Sharpe revealed his list of top gambling books - details below:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,923-2369192.html