Crumbs - didn't realise all this was going on, as had nothing to contribute. Just thought I might have today, and noted Colly's horrid troubles. Haven't had a reply to my goodwill email t'other day, so I'm really hoping he's all right. I might even venture a phone call, although I don't want to be too intrusive.
Meanwhile, thought I might flag up some from yesterday's meeting at Brighton. Our first race, over 7f, contained some very good quality, well-bred 2 y.o.'s and the winner, GRANDEUR (VERGLAS-MISSKINTA) must be taken out. He was a head 2nd of 16 runners to NAWWAAR over 7f at Goodwood on debut, ridden by Ryan Moore. Yesterday's pilot was the most able William Buick, who joined owner Miss Jacques and trainer Jeremy Noseda for a small glass of celebratory champers. GRANDEUR will now be aimed at a significantly higher pot next time out. William was very enthusiastic about him, although he did find the course challenging (William says it's the most difficult course to ride, GRANDEUR said "flippin' 'eck!" on the downhill run, but went very straight and coped professionally).
The runner-up was next closest in the betting, BRONZE ANGEL (DARK ANGEL-RIHANNA) (by the way, he and GRANDEUR are both Irish-breds) under Hayley Turner for Marcus Tregoning, who, for quiz fans, had his first win at Brighton (he did better later on with KONSTANTIN). This is a very nice animal, slightly less well-furnished than GRANDEUR, who carries his sire's grey colour and strongly-built stamp. BRONZE ANGEL was previously 4334, so not entirely unexposed - the animal should build further on today's race. He was most recently 4/15 in a Goodwood Nursery where he met trouble at a crucial stage, which should therefore not reflect poorly on his ability.
Third was Eve Johnson Houghton's colt SPOKE TO CARLO (HALLING-RED SHAREEF), under Neil Callan. Half-bro to smart CAESAR BEWARE. Eve was very, very pleased with his debut over a startlingly difficult course for babies, and this fellow really should do well in future.
