MAY 2010

Monday 31 May 2010

I’m pleased to report that Choc is okay following his mishap at Uttoxeter, as I found this press release on the web today:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5j4vBJmy-uDha-ADkaJTHij4YxyAA

JJJJJ

Sunday 30 May 2010

Not the best of days for Choc ... L

Having finished 3rd aboard Tuppenny Piece in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, Choc took a pasting when Franchoek unseated him after crashing through the first obstacle in the Beginners’ Chase. Choc was on the ground for a number of minutes, the remaining runners being waived around the fence on the following circuit too.

I stayed glued to the At The Races coverage hoping for news regarding Choc’s condition ... although obviously he was stood down for the remainder of the afternoon and missed two rides, his last riding engagement being a non-runner.

As there was no mention of a hospital visit, I have to presume he is okay, apart from being badly bruised. Poor old Choc ... L

Choc has no riding engagements tomorrow and hopefully will be back in action very soon.

Saturday 29 May 2010

Choc had one ride at Stratford and, I’m pleased to report, he had a profitable evening:

Passato won the Handicap Chase (9 ran). Passato, although not very big, jumps for fun and led them a merry dance having taken up the running from the 6th fence. He won by 17 lengths!

Choc’s 5th winner of the season. J

Alan King had a runner at Stratford too, King Troy, who won the 2 mile 5½ furlongs Handicap Chase under his usual pilot Jack Doyle (12 ran). The horse is owned by Alan King, and originated from Jack’s father’s yard.

Martin Keighley also had a runner at Stratford:

Mauricetheathlete finished 6th in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (14 ran). However, the ‘start’ of this race left much to be desired, as there were 2, or possibly 3, false starts caused by a number of reluctant horses, one of which was withdrawn due his lack of desire to race.

Tomorrow Choc will be at Uttoxeter, where he has 5 riding engagements:

14:10 Tuppenny Piece – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Alan King)

14:45 Franchoek – Beginners’ Chase (Alan King)

16:25 Richard The Third – Handicap Hurdle (2 miles 4½ furlongs) (John A Harris)

17:05 Petroupetrov – Handicap Chase (Richard Phillips)

17:40 Celticello - Handicap Hurdle (2 miles) (MG Quinlan)

As the JP McManus owned Franchoek is being ridden by Choc tomorrow, not AP McCoy, I decided to do a little detective work. Initially I checked to see if AP McCoy was at Fontwell Park ... no ... so I then checked the BHA Stewards Enquiry website – AP was awarded a one day suspension at Stratford’s 16 May meeting and he serves it tomorrow!

Typically, as it is a Bank Holiday weekend, the weather has been overcast and it’s been raining for much of the day too. I don’t seem to have done much today ... although I have sorted through my DMC cross stitch cottons in preparation for a couple of projects which I must get underway soon. Having discovered that I need 14 new shades of cotton, I’ll have to take a trip to Hobbycraft, as my local craft shop closed down a few weeks ago L.

Friday 28 May 2010

Choc was at Stratford Upon Avon this evening ... and his only ride was in the last race on the card, the Handicap Hurdle ... and I waited all evening to see him ... but Giovanna fell ... damn (12 ran). When is Choc going to experience a change of luck I ask?

But I’m happy to report that both Choc and Giovanna were fine following the fall, as Choc could be seen leading the mare around just to the inside of the rails as the runners passed by on the final circuit.

Tomorrow Choc will be at Stratford again, for the second day of their ‘Hunter Chase’ meeting, where he rides:

18:50 Passato – Handicap Chase (Miss J S Davis)

Martin Keighley also has a runner at Stratford tomorrow:

18:20 Mauricetheathlete – Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle, ridden by Mr Nick Slatter (grandson of the horse’s owner)

I think it’s going to be another quiet weekend for me ... Choc’s going to be at Uttoxeter on Sunday ... and perhaps Towcester on Monday. But I’m hoping to go see Choc again soon although, as I’ve not been feeling 100% since mid-April due to my ongoing back problems, I’m currently a little unsure about heading off alone to far distant race fixtures ...

Thursday 27 May 2010

Choc will be at Stratford Upon Avon tomorrow evening, for one riding engagement:

20:50 Giovanna – Handicap Hurdle (Richard Phillips)

Coincidentally, I read trainer Richard Phillips’ blog on a regular basis and he tells us that Saticon has transferred to his yard, from Alan King, and they are hoping a change of scenery will do him good.

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Choc had one riding engagement at a ‘murky’ looking Southwell this evening, and this is how he fared:

Slip finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle (11 ran).

Martin Keighley had one runner at Southwell, as The Fox’s Decree was a non-runner:

Ponchatrain completed last of the 5 finishers in the Handicap Chase (6 ran).

There’s just one National Hunt meeting in the UK tomorrow, at Wetherby ... and Choc has no riding engagements.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Choc hasn’t been in action for the past two days, but he does have one riding engagement at Southwell tomorrow evening:

20:20 Slip – Handicap Hurdle (CR Dore)

Martin Keighley also has a couple of runners at the Southwell fixture, both ridden by Warren Marston:

18:20 Ponchatrain – Handicap Chase

20:50 The Fox’s Decree – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Sunday 23 May 2010

Choc rode at Perth this afternoon, and this is how he fared:

Fool’s Wildcat finished 7th in the Novices’ Hurdle (11 ran)

Shopfrontspecialst finished 3rd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (5 ran)

Piano Star finished 4th in the Handicap Chase (12 ran)

Tarkani finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle (10 ran). Ex-Alan King inmate Black Jacari, now in new ownership and trained by PA Kirby, ran in this race too and finished 7th.

There’s no National Hunt racing tomorrow but, hopefully, Choc will be back in action on Tuesday.

‘Over The Rainbow’ - the search to find a ‘Dorothy’ for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Wizard of Oz - ended yesterday. The good news is that Lauren didn’t win, but the bad news is that my favourite, Sophie, finished as runner-up. Danielle Hope was the victor. I expect both Fay and Lesley will wish to go see the show ... so, finances permitting, I will accompany them.

The weather has been beautiful this weekend. Yesterday morning I went for a walk (5 or 6 miles), although I did get slightly burnt around my neckline. However, I did remember to put sun-block on my face! I washed my car this morning as it was very dusty, and chatted on the phone to my friend Denise for over an hour too. I’ve also started my Grand National Day diary. A quiet weekend, but gainfully employed for the most part.

Friday 21 May 2010

Choc was at Towcester this evening, where he had one riding engagement:

Topflight Wildbird finished a short-head 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). Damn, another close loss. L

No National Hunt racing tomorrow, however as mentioned earlier this week, Choc will be at Perth on Sunday, where he has 4 riding engagements:

14:15 Fool’s Wildcat – Novices’ Hurdle (VP Donoghue)

15:45 Shopfrontspecialst – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (VP Donoghue)

16:20 Piano Star – Handicap Chase (M Cunningham)

16:55 Tarkani – Handicap Hurdle (VP Donoghue)

With Choc riding in Scotland this weekend, I’ve no plans to go racing.

I’ve still got back problems – but at least I’ve been to the doctor and she sent me for a blood test earlier this week and, when the results are known, then x-rays may be the next step. I’d like to know what’s causing the problem, as I’ve never been a sufferer from back pain until now and the discomfort is emanating from the thoracic vertebrae area, not the lumbar region (lower back).

I’ll be watching the final of ‘Over The Rainbow’ tomorrow and will phone through my vote for Sophie, as she has been my second favourite contestant since the beginning of the series (my favourite, Jessica, was voted out a couple of weeks ago). There are two other finalists - Danielle is okay, but I don’t like Lauren. No doubt Fay, Lesley and I will go to see The Wizard of Oz in London ... although, if Lauren wins, then perhaps I’ll pass! We went to the theatre to see The Sound of Music starring Connie Fisher, Joseph starring Lee Mead, Oliver starring Jodie Prenger, and Grease starring Susan McFadden and Danny Bayne, although I didn’t particularly enjoy the latter show. Joseph, starring Lee Mead, was my favourite. Lesley and I are also going to see Lee Mead in concert at our local City Hall at the end of next month.

Thursday 20 May 2010

I knew a number of Alan King’s horses were being sent to the Doncaster ‘Horses in Training’ sales earlier this week. The ones listed as sold are: Ballamusic, Blue Dark, Sitwell, Salden Licht, Junior, Cracboumwiz (Choc sustained a serious back injury when this horse fell at Leicester in January), Prideus, Masked Man, Silk Hall and Long Hop.

Choc will be at Towcester tomorrow evening, where he has one riding engagement:

19:50 Topflight Wildbird – Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

Wednesday 19 May 2010

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

Native Taipan finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran). Martin Keighley’s Brimham Boy finished 4th in this race.

Witch Of The Wave finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle (13 ran).

Railway Diva finished 2nd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (13 ran). Martin Keighley’s Time Legend finished 9th in this race.

No riding engagements for Choc tomorrow, as the only National Hunt fixture is at Wetherby.

And I’ve finished and uploaded my Cheltenham Gold Cup Day diary ... Hurrah!

http://www.choc-thorntons-super-fan.co.uk/DIARY%20-%20CHELTENHAM%202010%20DAY%204.htm

Mick Fitzgerald was reporting from Worcester this evening and he mentioned that he’d spoken to Choc, and it transpires that Choc will be riding at Perth on Sunday; the other National Hunt meeting on Sunday is Fakenham.

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Tomorrow evening Choc will be at Worcester, where he has 3 riding engagements:

19:20 Native Taipan – Novices’ Hurdle (Rebecca Curtis)

19:50 Witch Of The Wave - Handicap Hurdle (Miss J S Davis)

20:50 Railway Diva – Standard Open NH Flat Race (Tim Vaughan)

Martin Keighley also has a runner in the NH Flat Race – Time Legend, to be ridden by Jimmy Derham. Jimmy has made a great start to the season, having ridden 9 winners already, and he’s lying in 4th place in the Jockeys’ Championship! And he has a number of rides at Towcester, so may add to this tally this evening.

Monday 17 May 2010

Choc was at Newton Abbot this afternoon, and this is how he fared:

Jetnova finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran).

Bardolf finished 12th (tailed off) in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (16 ran).

A quiet day (or should I say evening) tomorrow, as Choc is not engaged to ride at Towcester.

Sunday 16 May 2010

Choc was at Market Rasen in Lincolnshire this afternoon, where he had 3 riding engagements:

Shilpa finished a distant 10th in the Handicap Hurdle (12 ran).

Itea Du Fau was pulled up before 3 out in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (13 ran).

Sweet Irony was touched off by a short-head on the line in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (14 ran). The horse pulled hard for much of the race and Choc had no option but to send him into the lead as they entered the final straight as the leaders, having set a strong pace, started to weaken. But he was collared in the final stride by an 18-1 shot which stayed on from a mile back, having looked beaten when turning in. Damn. I know it’s only an early season Sunday afternoon bumper, but I was still disappointed. L

Tomorrow afternoon Choc will be at Newton Abbot:

14:20 Jetnova – Novices’ Hurdle (Alan King)

16:50 Bardolf - Standard Open NH Flat Race (Alan King)

It looked like a fine and often sunny day at Market Rasen although, perhaps, cold. Nicer than Hertfordshire though, where we’ve had extended rain showers this afternoon.

But I’m pleased to report that I’ve now finished the first complete draft of my Cheltenham Gold Cup Day diary, and hope to upload it later this week.

Saturday 15 May 2010

Choc rode at two fixtures today and this is how he fared:

Bangor on Dee:

Masked Man finished 5th (last of those which completed) in the Novices’ Chase (7 ran).

Aohna finished a ½ length 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (11 ran).

Uttoxeter:

Imperial Breeze pulled up before the last in the Novices’ Hurdle (9 ran).

Breeze With Ease pulled up before 3 out in the Handicap Hurdle (11 ran)

Ellen Tilley was a non-runner in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

Tomorrow Choc will be at Market Rasen, where he has 3 riding engagements:

14:30 Shilpa – Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

16:00 Itea Du Fau – Novices’ Handicap Chase (Alan King)

17:00 Sweet Irony – Standard Open NH Flat Race (Alan King)

I’ve had a productive day, I’ve been drafting more notes for my Cheltenham Gold Cup Day diary, and I’ve finished knitting the scarf I mentioned yesterday ... and all whilst watching the racing from Bangor and Uttoxeter on TV ... and, latterly, Over the Rainbow.

Friday 14 May 2010

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

Gold Reef was a non-runner in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Sagalyrique was pulled up before the last in the Handicap Chase (12 ran).

Lidar finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran).

Benheir finished 6th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (19 ran). Not bad for a 33/1 shot, Henry Daly’s first string runner finished 2nd.

However, the Martin Keighley trained Victor Daly won the 18:00 under Jimmy Derham, giving Martin his 3rd winner of the season.

Choc has a busy day tomorrow, with 2 fixtures:

Bangor on Dee:

14:55 Masked Man – Novices’ Chase (A King)

16:05 Aohna - Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

Uttoxeter:

18:20 Imperial Breeze – Novices’ Hurdle (JJ Lambe)

18:50 Breeze With Ease – Handicap Hurdle (JJ Lambe)

19:55 Ellen Tilley – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

I’ll be having yet another quiet weekend, as none of Choc’s riding engagements are close to my home – being Bangor and Uttoxeter on Saturday and Market Rasen on Sunday. But I really must finish my two outstanding diaries ... so it’s probably not a bad thing. I feel a little guilty for not having completed them yet, but I do have excuses – I was in a lot of discomfort on Monday evening due to my back problems (and I prefer not to take painkillers), there are numerous evening racing fixtures at present so I always watch it live if Choc is riding, Wednesday evenings have been put aside to watch ‘Midsomer Murders’ for the past couple of weeks, yesterday I arrived home late having spent the day in Eastbourne, and I’ve been knitting a scarf for my friend. Come to think of it, I usually spend my work lunch-breaks writing and proofing my diaries but it’s been so hectic since Easter that I rarely get a lunch-break ...

Thursday 13 May 2010

Choc was at Ludlow this evening for one ride:

Toby Belch finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle (14 ran)

Tomorrow evening Choc will be at Aintree, where he has 4 riding engagements:

17:30 Gold Reef - Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

18:00 Sagalyrique – Handicap Chase (Alan King)

18:30 Lidar – Novices’ Hurdle (Alan King)

20:45 Benheir – Standard Open NH Flat Race (Henry Daly)

Martin Keighley also has a runner at Aintree:

18:00 Victor Daly (as above) ridden by Jimmy Derham

The 2010/2011 Jump Jockeys Championship ‘league table’ has now appeared on the PJA website:

http://www.thepja.co.uk/champ_jump.aspx

And, yes, AP is in the lead!

I’ve had an enjoyable day out at Eastbourne today. The weather was good, as was the company. J

But it’s back to the grindstone tomorrow ... L

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Choc was at Fontwell Park this afternoon and this is how he fared:

Prince Du Seuil finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle (9 ran).

Batonnier won the Intermediate Open NH Flat Race, giving Choc his 4th winner of the season (9 ran). J

Meanwhile, at Exeter, Martin Keighley had a runner:

The Fox’s Decree finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (11 ran).

Tomorrow evening Choc will be at Ludlow, where he has one riding engagement:

19:40 Toby Belch – Handicap Hurdle (Henry Daly)

I’ve booked the day off work tomorrow and will be going by train to Eastbourne, with my friend Fay, to visit our ex-colleague and friend Angy and her daughter Rebecca. It will be nice to see them again, as we’ve not met up since last November. And, hopefully, it will be a nice day so that we can take a walk along the seafront too!

Tuesday 11 May 2010

This evening Choc was at Newton Abbot, where he had 2 riding engagements:

Way Back When finished 2nd in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran).

Nulato finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle (14 ran).

Tomorrow afternoon Choc will be at Fontwell Park, where he has 2 riding engagements:

16:10 Prince Du Seuil – Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

17:15 Batonnier – Intermediate Open NH Flat Race (Alan King)

Meanwhile, at Exeter, Martin Keighley has a runner:

14:20 The Fox’s Decree – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

And Gordon has finally departed ... Hallelujah!

Monday 10 May 2010

Choc was at Towcester this evening and this is how he fared:

Eros Moon was pulled up before 2 out in the Maiden Hurdle (14 ran)

Witch Of The Wave finished 10th in the Handicap Hurdle (13 ran)

Tomorrow evening Choc will be at Newton Abbot, where he has 2 riding engagements:

18:00 Way Back When – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Alan King)

20:00 Nulato – Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

I’m still following BBC1’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ programme, the premise being to select a young actress/singer to play Dorothy in a new West End production of The Wizard of Oz. My ‘favourite’ would-be Dorothy – Jessica - was voted off the show last night, which is a shame. My second favourite is Sophie, who is one of the remaining 4. I quite like Steph, whose brother evidently attends the same school in Bedfordshire as my niece and nephew! Danielle is very talented and may well win. But I’m not keen on Lauren!

I’d love to know how the 2010/2011 Jump Jockeys Championship is going – presumably AP is leading? I’ve been checking the PJA’s site on a regular basis but there’s no official league table as yet.

Sunday 09 May 2010

Choc was at Uttoxeter this afternoon, and this is how he fared:

Anadama completed in 3rd in the NH Novices’ Hurdle Div I (8 ran).

Gremlin won the Novices’ Hurdle, giving Choc his 3rd winner of the season (12 ran). Gremlin’s two nearest rivals departed at the second last and the last respectively but they were well beaten at the time!

Luther was pulled up before 3 out in the NH Novices’ Hurdle Div II (10 ran).

Masked Man was a non-runner in the Novices’ Chase.

Petroupetrov was a non-runner in the Handicap Chase. There was an incredible finish to this race, the Christian Williams ridden Shammy Buskins coming from a mile back to win close home. Christian ought to be nominated for Ride of the Week for this one.

Tsarinova finished 5th in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran).

Meanwhile, Alan King also had two runners at Worcester:

Nikos Extra finished 5th in the Handicap Chase (13 ran).

Tocatchaprince finished 5th in the Intermediate NH Flat Race Div II (11 ran).

And Martin Keighley had three runners at Worcester:

Mauricetheathlete finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle Div I (12 ran).

Willowpattern was pulled up before 4 out in the Beginners’ Chase (12 ran).

Gemini June finished 10th in the Intermediate NH Flat Race Div II (11 ran).

Tomorrow evening Choc will be at Towcester, where he has 2 riding engagements:

18:00 Eros Moon – Maiden Hurdle (Alan King)

19:30 Witch Of The Wave – Handicap Hurdle (Miss J S Davis)

At The Races’ Zoey Bird interviewed Worcester’s Hospitality Manager, Jenny Cheshire prior to racing and, evidently, bras are being collected to raise money for a local breast cancer unit. The aim is to collect enough bras to encircle Worcester racecourse – 200,000 in fact! Zoey was brave and donated the bra she was wearing – and it was auctioned after racing, being purchased by jockey Harry Skelton! I believe the ‘bra’ appeal is ongoing, so I’m not sure I should venture out to Worcester racecourse in case they wish me to donate my 38E ... as I wouldn’t want to frighten the animals! But I suppose I could always take a spare one with me ...

Saturday 08 May 2010

Choc was at Haydock Park this afternoon for their mixed card, and this is how he fared:

Heathcliff was pulled up in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (21 ran).

Black Jack Blues was pulled up before the last in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle (23 ran). Choc’s mount was the only horse which didn’t complete but, having been prominent for much of the race, the horse was tired and it was a sensible decision.

Martin Keighley also had a couple of runners in the Long Distance Hurdle at 15:00:

Love Of Tara finished 13th under Warren Marston, but Wychwoods Legend weakened and fell at the 8th flight. Both horse and jockey (Wayne Hutchinson) were okay.

Tomorrow afternoon Choc will be at Uttoxeter:

13:30 Anadama – NH Novices’ Hurdle Div I (Alan King)

14:00 Gremlin – Novices’ Hurdle (D Burchell). Gremlin used to be trained by Alan King!

14:30 Luther – NH Novices’ Hurdle Div II (Alan King)

15:00 Masked Man – Novices’ Chase (Alan King)

16:00 Petroupetrov – Handicap Chase (Richard Phillips)

17:00 Tsarinova - Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Alan King)

Meanwhile, Alan King also has two runners at Worcester:

16:20 Nikos Extra – Handicap Chase (Wayne Hutchinson)

17:20 Tocatchaprince – Intermediate NH Flat Race Div II (Gerard Tumelty)

And Martin Keighley has three runners at Worcester:

13:50 Mauricetheathlete – Handicap Hurdle Div I (Sam Twiston-Davies)

15:20 Willowpattern - Beginners’ Chase (Wayne Hutchinson)

17:20 Gemini June – Intermediate NH Flat Race Div II (Danny Hiskett)

It’s a pity Uttoxeter is 120 miles away from my home, the weather is so unpleasant for May and I didn’t particularly enjoy my only visit to the course, otherwise with Choc having 6 riding engagements, I might have considered going!

The At The Races coverage is going to be ‘chock-a-block’ tomorrow, as they will broadcast Uttoxeter, Worcester, Plumpton, Leopardstown and Killarney!

Friday 07 May 2010

Choc was at Aintree this evening and this is how he fared:

Araldur ran well and was prominent or leading during much of the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran). He eventually faded into 5th, but a promising run considering he’s been off the track for 15 months due to a pelvis injury.

Oberon Moon was pulled up before 3 out in the Handicap Hurdle (17 ran).

Enfant De Lune finished 4th in the Handicap Chase – although he would have been 5th, had the leader Master Nimbus not taken a crashing fall at the last (10 ran).

Tomorrow Choc will be at Haydock Park, for their mixed card. He has 2 rides scheduled:

15:00 Heathcliff – Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (Richard Lee)

15:35 Black Jack Blues – Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1) (Rebecca Curtis)

Martin Keighley also has a couple of runners in the Long Distance Hurdle at 15:00:

Love Of Tara ridden by Warren Marston and Wychwoods Legend ridden by Wayne Hutchinson

I was reading Kim Bailey’s blog yesterday and he mentioned that he’d failed in his attempt to buy Nenuphar Collonges (£40,000) at the Cheltenham Sales earlier this week ... so I had a look at the ‘internet’ catalogue and discovered that The Hairy Lemon (£5,000) , Minella Four Star (£15,000) and Starburst Diamond (£8,500) have also been sold. Choc did mention that the yard needed to re-build and to not be afraid of selling some of their ‘lesser lights’.

I also saw a number of horses had been sold out of Charlie Mann’s yard – including my ‘friend’ William Bonney, who was purchased for a mere £2,000!

I’ve been feeling under the weather since yesterday evening – at the moment there’s a stomach bug doing the rounds at my work place, although I hasten to add I did go into work today. I couldn’t sleep last night ... so I watched the BBC’s coverage of the General Election until 05:00. I hope David Cameron is able to form a Government, as I’m absolutely fed up with being on the losing side for the past 13 years!

Thursday 06 May 2010

Alan King had a couple of runners at Huntingdon yesterday and this is how they fared:

Squadron finished 4th in the Novices’ Chase (9 ran). At one stage Squadron was almost tailed off, but stayed on at the end and nearly caught the second and third placed horses on the line.

Saltagioo finished 2nd in the 2 miles ½ a furlong Handicap Hurdle (8 ran).

Martin Keighley also had a couple of runners at Huntingdon:

Brimham Boy won the Handicap Chase, giving Martin his 2nd winner of the season (11 ran)

Sadly the yard lost Mistress To No One, who took a fatal fall in the 2 miles 5½ furlong Handicap Hurdle.

Very sad for her owners and the racing syndicate and, of course, for the Keighley’s and their staff, especially Steffi who looked after her.

Choc is back in action tomorrow and will be at Aintree, where he has 3 rides:

18:05 Araldur – Novices’ Hurdle (Alan King). The horse is returning from a pelvis injury and carries the well-known yellow and red spotted colours of owner David Sewell.

19:05 Oberon Moon – Handicap Hurdle (Alan King)

19:40 Enfant De Lune – Handicap Chase (Alan King)

I hope Choc arrives at Aintree in good time tomorrow, as I recall he missed his one and only ride at one of the Friday night fixtures last season due to traffic holdups on the M6!

I don’t think I’ve got any plans for the weekend ... as my back has been playing up again these past few days. But you never know. Although one can’t be too careful with back problems, especially as my mother has osteoporosis and it can be hereditary. And I have to say I never suffered from back pain until my accident last autumn, when I slipped over on a damp pavement and landed on the base of my spine.

Tuesday 04 May 2010

Choc was at Exeter this evening and this is how he fared:

Passato won the Handicap Chase, giving Choc his 2nd winner of the season (7 ran).

Sadly Turnworth suffered a serious shoulder injury when blundering at the 10th obstacle, so Choc had to pull him up in the Novices’ Handicap Chase.

There was an amazing incident after the last flight in the final race of the night when the almost certain winner, Cappagh, veered off sharply towards the stand-side rails, depositing poor Rhys Flint on the turf. The horse seemed okay, although he did collide with the plastic rails, and I hope Rhys is okay too.

Tomorrow and Thursday Choc will be in the ‘sin bin’ as he is serving a 2-day ban for careless riding, which was meted out to him at Southwell a couple of weeks ago.

However, Alan King does have a couple of runners at Huntingdon tomorrow evening:

17:55 Squadron – Novices’ Chase, ridden by Jimmy McCarthy

20:10 Saltagioo – 2 miles ½ a furlong Handicap Hurdle, ridden by Wayne Hutchinson

Martin Keighley also has a couple of runners at Huntingdon:

18:30 Brimham Boy – Handicap Chase

19:05 Mistress To No One – 2 miles 5½ furlong Handicap Hurdle

Monday 03 May 2010

As none of Alan King’s horses have been declared to run at Fakenham tomorrow, Choc will be heading off to Exeter’s evening meeting, where he has 2 riding engagements:

18:20 Passato – Handicap Chase (Miss JS Davis)

19:20 Turnworth – Novices’ Handicap Chase (RH & Mrs S Alner)

The weather has been pretty dire these past 3 days, very cold, with heavy rain or showers (including hail). But typical Bank Holiday weather!

I’ve completed and uploaded my Cheltenham Diary for Day 2 of this year’s Festival:

http://www.choc-thorntons-super-fan.co.uk/DIARY%20-%20CHELTENHAM%202010%20DAY%202.htm

And I’ve started to knit a scarf for my friend Denise, as she has requested one for her birthday, which is early next month.

Saturday 01 May 2010

My first blog of the new month ... and the start of my nineteenth month of blogging!

Choc was at Uttoxeter this afternoon and this is how he fared:

Sir Harry Ormesher finished 8th, easing down, in the Handicap Hurdle – it’s been a long season for the horse (13 ran).

Hilfiger finished 2nd in the Maiden Hurdle Div II (11 ran).

Forzy Origny ran very well, giving a front running performance, and finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase (Listed) (Class 1). Choc was reported to have said the horse didn’t quite stay the trip ... Mick Fitzgerald, presenting on At The Races, thought it was weight that beat him on this occasion.

After a very sad week for the Keighley family, Martin trained his first winner of the new season when Total Submission won the Maiden Hurdle Div I (9 ran).

Pavanne finished 7th in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (10 ran).

At Newmarket, French raider Makfi won the 2,000 Guineas, at 33-1!

There will be no blog tomorrow, as there’s no National Hunt racing to report upon, and no fixtures on Monday either. Choc is expected to be at Fakenham on Tuesday to ride Junior ... but I’ll confirm full details on Monday. And then he’s got Wednesday and Thursday off, as he’s serving his 2-day ban for careless riding following an incident at Southwell a couple of weeks ago.