Tuesday 22nd July, 2025

We have two runners on Thursday at Worcester with Northhaven in the bumper at 2.20pm and The Last Drop in the two and a half mile novices handicap hurdle at 4.42pm.

Northhaven makes his debut with Sam Burton onboard claiming seven pounds – Sam is attached to Sam Drinkwater’s yard and is a promising amateur.  Whilst The Last Drop steps up in trip with Harry Bannister onboard.  She pleased us on her handicap debut at Uttoxeter and will hopefully benefit from this step up in trip in what looks a competitive event.

I very much enjoyed attending the country and western twilight meeting at Newmarket on Saturday.  The theme appeared to encourage many families with the majority dressing appropriately for the evening.  It appears such themes encourages all ages and it was refreshing to see so many young people enjoying an evening at the races.  This should be greatly encouraged to promote the future of the sport.

Happy retirement to Derek Thompson who retires from commentating today at Wolverhampton.  Having known him for forty years, he has not changed in that time and is yet to buy me a drink – or anyone else for that matter, however you cannot deny his professionalism and enthusiasm.  The article in the Racing Post on Sunday was refreshingly frank and honest.  Tommo will continue to commentate at Jersey racecourse in his retirement and will no doubt go to the opening of a Tupperware box should there be a few quid in it for him.  However I will not forget being a young teenager on Epsom Downs at 6am – the morning before Golden Fleece’s Derby, when he was sports reporter to Radio 2 and he went out of his way to say good morning to me when I arrived on my bicycle to watch the Vincent O’Brien colt canter around Tattenham Corner.  Derek has a word for everyone and we wish him many years of happy retirement.