Diary: February 10 2009

 

Well some mixed results from last night’s preview but Hello Moscow gave us a winner at 4/1, and also supplied AP McCoy with his 2,999th, while First Avenue was only beaten half a length on his hurdles bow.

There are a couple of runners from my list to follow tomorrow if Folkestone passes a morning inspection.  Quickbeam and Bluegun both go in the 2.30.  Quickbeam has not exactly taken to fences this season, falling twice and then finishing 5th last time at Exeter beaten 80 lengths. His trainer Venetia Williams is in good form though and I wouldn’t discount Quickbeam altogether.  Bluegun is my selection though.  A lightly raced sort that handles cut in the ground and after only one run over fences he has scope for improvement.

The Last Word

 

The Last Word

CREEP into thy narrow bed,
Creep, and let no more be said!
Vain thy onset! all stands fast.
Thou thyself must break at last.
Let the long contention cease!
Geese are swans, and swans are geese.
Let them have it how they will!
Thou art tired: best be still.
They out-talked thee, hissed thee, tore thee?
Better men fared thus before thee;
Fired their ringing shot and passed,
Hotly charged – and sank at last.
Charge once more, then, and be dumb!
Let the victors, when they come,
When the forts of folly fall,
Find thy body by the wall!

Matthew Arnold