Friday 30th December 2022

Fighting Poet has been declared in the mile and a half handicap at Lingfield tomorrow.  He didn’t appear to like the soft ground at Windsor last time and hopefully the all-weather surface will suit him better.  He showed promise on his previous run for us and hopefully he will show some potential for the Richard Phillips Racing Syndicate.

Rossbeigh Strand has been entered for next week at Hereford as the rains continue, although with his ballot mark of one, he is more likely to go to Chepstow the following week.

It’s been great to welcome a number of visitors to the yard this week as the holiday period continues.

Quality racing continues in Ireland this week with the Mullins camp producing yet more Grade 1 winners with State Man and Gaillard Du Mesnil.  State Man was impressive but whether he can beat Constitution Hill is another matter.  While Gaillard Du Mesnil looks a strong fancy for the Festival in the National Hunt Chase.

With the Challow Hurdle tomorrow and the Cheltenham News Years day meeting – all followers of racing are lucky to have so much to look forward to over the New Year.

Anyone my age will know that Pele is the greatest footballer ever seen and his sad passing yesterday was a reminder of his incredible influence in football over many decades.  He was always a favourite, not least because he had a great showjumper named after him ridden by Eddie Macken.  Having lost both Piggott and Pele, the world has lost two of the greatest.