JUNE 2011

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Choc had 3 riding engagements at Worcester this afternoon and this is how he fared:

Nono Le Sage (Miss C Dyson) was pulled up in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (13 ran).

Suburban Bay (Alan King) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle (7 ran).

Cleeve Cloud (L P Grassick) finished 10th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran).

The next National Hunt fixture takes place on Sunday at Market Rasen.

Whilst I’m waiting for the ‘components’ of my next cross stitch project to arrive – which includes a ‘Stitch A Photo’ chart, I’ve been catching up on my book reading. I’ve now read Ruby Walsh’s biography, as I love reading jockey and trainer biographies. And I’ve also read War Horse; I’ve not been to see it on the London stage, but I am looking forward to seeing the film and a trailer has also been released.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Choc has 3 riding engagements at Worcester tomorrow afternoon:

15:10 Nono Le Sage (Miss C Dyson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase

16:10 Suburban Bay (Alan King) – Handicap Hurdle

17:10 Cleeve Cloud (L P Grassick) – Standard Open NH Flat Race

My internet connection isn’t working this evening ... perhaps it’s due to today’s storms. Damn. However, if it’s up and running by the morning, I’ll upload my blog before I go to work tomorrow.

Sunday 26 June 2011

Choc had one riding engagement today, at Uttoxeter:

Franklino (Alan King), in first time blinkers, finished 2nd in the Maiden Hurdle (12 ran).

No National Hunt racing tomorrow and, at present, Choc’s next expected riding engagement will be at Worcester on Wednesday afternoon.

Friday 24 June 2011

Choc was at Market Rasen this afternoon, where he had one ride:

Red Mercury (Alan King) won the Juvenile Hurdle (12 ran); Choc’s 12th winner of the season J

No National Hunt racing tomorrow, but Choc has one riding engagement on Sunday, at Uttoxeter:

14:45 Franklino (Alan King) – Maiden Hurdle

Thursday 23 June 2011

Choc was at Ffos Las this afternoon and this is how he fared:

Rustarix (Alan King) finished last in the Handicap Chase (6 ran).

Naughtyatiz (Mrs DA Hamer) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle

Tomorrow Choc has one riding engagement at Market Rasen:

14:40 Red Mercury (Alan King) – Juvenile Hurdle

It will be the horse’s first run over obstacles, having competed unsuccessfully on the flat; 3 times last year for Mick Channon and twice this year for Alan King.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

After three quiet days, Choc is back in action tomorrow afternoon when he has 2 riding engagements at Ffos Las:

16:55 Rustarix (Alan King) – Handicap Chase

17:30 Naughtyatiz (Mrs DA Hamer) – Handicap Hurdle

And I’ve finished and uploaded my Cheltenham Day 3 diary, so my website is totally up-to-date for the first time since 14 March! Click here to read.

Sunday 19 June 2011

One riding engagement for Choc today, at Hereford:

Yvonne Evelyn (Alan King) finished a disappointing 5th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (8 ran).

Another quiet weekend spent at home has enabled me to complete my Ascot Diary and also the first full draft of my Cheltenham Day 3 diary. So I now feel that I’m in the final furlong and in sight of the winning post! And this will then free up my time to begin a special cross stitch project that has been on the ‘back-burner’ for far too long.

No National Hunt racing tomorrow. There are fixtures at Newton Abbot on Tuesday and Worcester on Wednesday but, as I write this, no provisional riding engagements listed for Choc until Thursday afternoon at Ffos Las, then Friday afternoon at Market Rasen. But I will continue to check the race-cards throughout the week.

Wimbledon starts tomorrow so, if I’m at a loose end in the evenings, I will be watching the tennis. However, I have set a target to complete my one remaining diary by the end of this week.

Saturday 18 June 2011

One riding engagement for Choc tomorrow, at Hereford:

15:50 Yvonne Evelyn (Alan King) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Ruby Walsh rode the Willie Mullins trained Thousand Stars to victory in this afternoon’s French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil. More

Thursday 16 June 2011

Two rides at Ffos Las for Choc this evening ... and one was a winner too J:

Grovemere (Mrs DA Hamer) won the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles] (7 ran); Choc’s 11th winner of the season. It was definitely a case of ‘never say die’, as Choc seemed to be cajoling his mount along for most of the race! But he never gave up and chased Strumble Head down the home straight and caught his rival close home, when the Peter Bowen trained runner either ran out of petrol or, perhaps, idled towards the line.

Gremlin (BJ Llewellyn) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] (8 ran).

The Alan King trained The Betchworth Kid finished 11th of 15 in today’s Ascot Gold Cup. More

No National Hunt racing until Sunday when, hopefully, Choc may have a ride or rides at Hereford.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Choc has two rides booked at Ffos Las tomorrow evening:

19:30 Grovemere (Mrs DA Hamer) - Handicap Hurdle [3 miles]

21:00 Gremlin (BJ Llewellyn) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles]

Tuesday 14 June 2011

A disappointing trip to Newton Abbot for Choc this evening:

Lundy Bay (Tony Newcombe) finished 9th in the Intermediate Open NH Flat Race (11 ran); it was in fact last ... as one horse ran out and another pulled up injured.

There’s National Hunt racing at Worcester tomorrow afternoon, but Choc has no riding engagements. L

Royal Ascot is not really my ‘scene’ from an attending point of view ... but I did watch the highlights on ATR.

Canford Cliffs beat French superstar mare Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes. More

Frankel, star of this year’s 2000 Guineas, retained his unbeaten record by winning the St James’ Palace Stakes. More

And Veiled won the Ascot Stakes Handicap for Nicky Henderson. More

Monday 13 June 2011

What a grotty weekend, weather-wise. Admittedly, Saturday wasn’t quite as bad as expected, but Sunday was a total washout almost everywhere, it seems. I had been looking forward to watching the tennis from Queens Club on TV yesterday afternoon, only to have plans scuppered. However, it did give me plenty of time to watch the videos in preparation for my outstanding diaries.

There’s a positive news report regarding injured jockeys Peter Toole and Richard Hawkins. More

And positive news regarding Isabel Tompsett too. More

Choc has one riding engagement at Newton Abbot tomorrow evening:

20:45 Lundy Bay (Tony Newcombe) – Intermediate Open NH Flat Race

Friday 10 June 2011

Choc made it to Aintree today, but he had a disappointing ride:

Marleybow (Richard Lee/Choc) was pulled up in the Handicap Chase (3 miles 1 furlong) having blundered at the first and made additional errors up to that point (9 ran).

Sky Calling (Martin Keighley/Sam Thomas) being an inexperienced chaser, fell at the first (the cross fence) in the Handicap Chase (2 miles), bringing down Quito Du Tresor (9 ran). It was reported that both of the horses and the jockeys were fine following this mishap.

Despite putting on a brave face and, of course, passing the doctor before his ride, I am wondering if Choc’s left knee is a little swollen following yesterday’s fall – as the left leg of his breeches wasn’t tucked into his boot quite as far as usual! But at least he now has a few days off to recover from any bruising that he may have suffered.

I will be having a quiet weekend, as Stratford’s mid-June Sunday meeting is one of those which has disappeared from the fixture list. A shame really, as I’d been to the meeting in 2008 and 2010. Mind you, the forecast for the southeast this weekend is rain showers tomorrow, and more persistent rain on Sunday; so not much encouragement to venture out on any alternative excursion either.

Talking of Stratford, I’ve completed and uploaded my Stratford diary for 28 May; that leaves me with just two to complete ... and it appears that I may have plenty of time this weekend to work on them.

Thursday 09 June 2011

Choc was at Uttoxeter this evening, where he had 3 riding engagements, one of which unfortunately proved very painful: L

Morning Farewell (W Clay) finished 3rd in the Maiden Hurdle (7 ran).

Nono Le Sage (Miss C Dyson) finished 4th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (5 ran).

Cadeaux Cerise (Andy Haynes) fell 2 out in the Handicap Hurdle (11 ran); but she brought down Lucky Lukey in the process (who obviously wasn’t lucky) and Choc got ‘wiped out’. Ouch. He was able to limp away unaided ... but may have hurt his left knee (not the repaired right one).

If Choc is not too sore following today’s fall, he has one riding engagement at Aintree tomorrow evening:

18:00 Marleybow (Richard Lee/Choc) – Handicap Chase (3 miles 1 furlong)

19:05 Sky Calling (Martin Keighley/Sam Thomas) – Handicap Chase (2 miles)

Wednesday 08 June 2011

Choc will be at Uttoxeter tomorrow evening, where he has 3 riding engagements:

18:10 Morning Farewell (W Clay) – Maiden Hurdle

19:40 Nono Le Sage (Miss C Dyson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase

20:40 Cadeaux Cerise (Andy Haynes) – Handicap Hurdle

Tuesday 07 June 2011

Choc was at Southwell this evening, and this is how he fared:

Golbelini (Martin Keighley/Ian Popham) finished 5th; and Yvonne Evelyn (Alan King/Choc) won the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (10 ran); Choc’s 10th winner of the season. J

Mickytaker (Alan King/Choc) pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle (13 ran) – 6 obstacles having been removed for safety reasons due to the setting sun.

Midnight Myth (Martin Keighley/Danny Hiskett) in her first run under rules finished a promising 4th in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran).

No National Hunt racing tomorrow.

Monday 06 June 2011

National Hunt racing took place at Newton Abbot today and this is how Martin Keighley’s runners fared:

Won More Night (Ian Popham) finished 4th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (6 ran).

Jacko’s Boy (Ian Popham) finished 6th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (7 ran).

Tomorrow there is National Hunt racing at Ffos Las and Southwell, with runners of interest at the latter track:

19:55 Golbelini (Martin Keighley/Ian Popham); Yvonne Evelyn (Alan King/Choc) – Mares’ Maiden Hurdle

20:30 Mickytaker (Alan King/Choc) – Handicap Hurdle

21:00 Midnight Myth (Martin Keighley/Danny Hiskett) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race

Sunday 05 June 2011

Choc had two riding engagements at Worcester this afternoon:

Marked Man (Richard Lee) led for a circuit but then soon faded and was pulled up in the Handicap Chase (12 ran).

Shrewd Investment (Alan King) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle (6 ran).

As hoped, Rafael Nadal won the French Open Men’s Singles title; his sixth victory in the event and equalling Bjorn Borg’s total of wins. The tennis grass season commences with the Queen’s Club event tomorrow; with Wimbledon just a fortnight away.

No-one appears to ‘love’ Choc at the moment, as he’s no riding engagements again tomorrow. L

National Hunt racing takes place at Newton Abbot tomorrow and Martin Keighley is due to have two runners:

16:15 Won More Night (Ian Popham) – Novices’ Handicap Chase

17:15 Jacko’s Boy (Ian Popham) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

News that The Betchworth Kid is set to run in the Ascot Gold Cup. More

I’ve been busy this weekend and have completed my Cheltenham Day 4 diary; and my Stratford diary is also nearing completion.

Friday 03 June 2011

No National Hunt racing today ... and no riding engagements for Choc tomorrow. However, I notice that Ruby Walsh will be at Worcester tomorrow, as Paul Nicholls has a number of runners at the fixture. That will please Jenny Cheshire, the Hospitality Manager at the track, as Ruby is her favourite jockey!

The William Haggas trained Dancing Rain won today’s Epsom Oaks; whilst Frankie Dettori has picked up a 10-day ban for ‘dropping his hands’ on Blue Bunting and misses the final two days of Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby. More

Meanwhile, Kieren Fallon still doesn’t know whether he’ll be permitted to take the ride aboard Recital in tomorrow’s Derby. More

Roger Federer has knocked out favourite Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French Open; earlier in the day Andy Murray was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the other semi-final. I hope ‘Rafa’ wins Sunday’s final ... as I can’t stand Federer!

Choc has two riding engagements at Worcester on Sunday:

16:15 Marked Man (Richard Lee) – Handicap Chase

16:45 Shrewd Investment (Alan King) – Handicap Hurdle

I’ve still got the ‘snuffles’ so I’ve come to the conclusion that I may have hay fever after all. The symptoms started with a headache, followed by a sore throat and, since that subsided, I’ve had a blocked nose. I have tried taking antihistamine tablets but they had no effect; but I’ve since read that they are less effective with blocked noses! I suppose I’ll have to put up with it for a few weeks ... and think myself lucky that I don’t have itchy eyes or get sneezing fits!

Thursday 02 June 2011

Choc had two riding engagements at Uttoxeter ... and it was a very successful evening!

Jocheski (AG Newcombe) won the Selling Hurdle (7 ran); Choc’s 8th winner of the season J

Suburban Bay (Alan King) won the Handicap Hurdle (9 ran); Choc’s 9th winner of the season J

Meanwhile at Wetherby:

The Fox’s Decree (Martin Keighley/Danny Hiskett) finished 4th in the Selling Hurdle (8 ran).

Celtic Ballad (Martin Keighley/Ian Popham) was unlucky again, finishing a head 2nd in the Maiden Claiming Hurdle (13 ran).

No National Hunt racing in the UK tomorrow.

Wednesday 01 June 2011

Today, Choc had one riding engagement at Fontwell Park:

Hawk Gold (Miss MP Bryant) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (7 ran).

Tomorrow evening, Choc has two riding engagements at Uttoxeter:

18:45 Jocheski (AG Newcombe) – Selling Hurdle

20:25 Suburban Bay (Alan King) – Handicap Hurdle

Meanwhile at Wetherby:

17:50 The Fox’s Decree (Martin Keighley/Danny Hiskett - he’s now a conditional jockey) – Selling Hurdle

20:00 Celtic Ballad (Martin Keighley/Ian Popham) – Maiden Claiming Hurdle

After his disappointing showing at Ffos Las yesterday, Victor Daly has been retired.