Incognita

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Incognita

Just for a space I met her –
  Just for a day in the train!
It began when she feared it would wet her,
  That tiniest spurtle of rain:
So we tucked a great rug in the sashes,
  And carefully padded the pane;
And I sorrow in sackcloth and ashes,
  Longing to do it again!

Then it grew when she begged me to reach her
  A dressing-case under the seat;
She was “really so tiny a creature,
  That she needed a stool for her feet.!”
Which was promptly arranged to her order
  With a care that was even minute,
And a glimpse – of an open- worked border,
  And a glance – of the fairyest boot.

Then it drooped, and revived at some hovels –
  “Were they houses for men or for pigs?”
Then it shifted to muscular novels,
  With a little digreesion on prigs:
She thought “Wives and Daughters” “so jolly”;
  “Had I read it?” She knew when I had,
Like the rest, I should dote upon “Molly”;
  And “poor Mrs Gaskell – how sad!”

“Loke Browning?” “But so-so.”  His proof lay
  “Too deep for her frivolous mood,
That preferredyour mere metrical souffle
  To the stronger poetical food;
Yet at times he was good – “as a tonic”;
  Was Tennyson writing just now?
And was this new poet Byronic,
  And clever, and naughty, or how?

Then we trifled with concerts and croquet,
  Then she daintily dusted her face;
Then she sprinkled herself with “Ess Bouquet”,
  Fished out from the foregoing case;
And we chattered of Gassier and Grisi,
  And voted Aunt Sally a bore;
Discussed if the tight rope were easy,
  Or Chopin much harder than Spohr.

And oh! The odd things that she quoted,
  With the prettiest possible look,
And the price of two buns that she noted
  In the prettiest possible book;
While her talk like a musical rillet
  Flashed on with the hours that flew,
And the carriage, her smile seemed to fill it
  With just enough summer – for Two.

Till at last in her corner, peeping
  From a nest of rugs and of furs,
With the white shut eyelids sleeping
  On those dangerous looks of hers,
She seemed like a snowdrop breaking,
  Not wholly alive nor dead,
But with one blind impulse making
  To the sounds of the spring overhead;

And I watched in the lamplights’s swerving
  The shade of the down-dropped lid,
And the lip-line’s delicate curving,
  Where a slumbering smile lay hid,
Till I longed that, rather than sever,
  The train should shriek into space,
And carry us onward – for ever –
  Me and that beautiful face.

But she suddenly woke in a fidget,
  With fears she was “nearly at home”,
And talk of a certain Aunt Bridget,
  Whom I mentally wished – well at Rome;
Got out at the very next station,
  Looking back with a merry bon soir,
Adding, too, to my utter vexation,
  A surplus, unkind Au Revoir.

So left me to muse on her graces,
  To doze and to muse, till I dreamed
That we sailed through the sunniest palces
  In a glorified galley, it seemed;
But the cabin was made of a carriage,
  And the ocean was Eau-de-Cologne,
And we split on a rock labelled MARRIAGE,
  And I woke, – as cold as a stone.

And that’s how I lost her – a jewel,
  Incognita – one in a crowd,
Not prudent enough to be cruel,
  Not worldly enough to be proud.
It was just a shut lid and its lashes,
  Just a few hours in a train,
And I sorrow in sackcloth and ashes,
  Longing to see her again.

Austin Dobson

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Diary: Boxing Day

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 middleham20in20snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Huntingdon 12.25 – Commander Vic

 

Huntingdon  12.55 – Noble Sham

 

Huntingdon 2.00 – Smart Street

 

Huntingdon 2.40 – Amir El Jabal

 

Kempton 12.45 – Otage de Brion

 

Kempton 1.20 – Silverburn

 

Kempton 2.30 – Exotic Dancer, Kauto Star, My Way de Solzen & Taranis

 

Kempton 3.05 – Benetwood

 

Towcester 1.25 – The Package & Tot ‘O Whiskey

 

Towcester 1.55 – Ballyvoge

 

Towcester 2.25 – Seven is Lucky

 

Wincanton 12.30 – Cracking Cliché

 

Wincanton 2.45 – Russian Trigger

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Huntingdon 12.55 – Proud to Present

 

Kempton 12.45 – Blue Bajan & Evelith Echo

 

Market Rasen 1.15 – Custom Design

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Kempton Park

 

12.45 – Blue Bajan was only beaten a head by Maraahel in a Group 3 race on the flat at Chester and was rated as high as 111.  He has made a very promising start to his hurdling career finishing a close second at Ascot to a horse that has won twice since and following up with a win at Leicester. 

 

That race at Ascot may well hold the key here as the 3rd and 4th that day, Song of Songs and Polyfast, both re-oppose. Song of Songs had AP McCoy in the plate that day and the champion jockey will be on board once again at Kempton.  Song of Songs was 2nd to Champion Hurdle hopeful Osana last season and has a live chance here.  Polyfast comes from a family of winners and I am sure he has the scope to progress this season.  He also comes from a stable that traditionally does well at this time of year.

 

Evelth Echo and Otage de Brion are others that add spice to what looks a very interesting contest.  Evelith Echo is a tough little horse who won a bumper at Kempton last season.  He was only beaten a short head by County Zen, who had earlier beaten Blue Bajan at Ascot.  He seems quite versatile as far as ground goes.  Otage de Brion, a big chasing type, was a bit disappointing when 3rd at Plumpton on his seasonal reappearance but may have needed the run.  He had earlier won at Plumpton in a race where the form has since worked out well.  With Font, a Paul Nicholls newcomer from the flat also in the mix this could hardly be more difficult to solve. I am going to stick with the form lines though County Zen which brings in Blue Bajan, Polyfast, Song of Songs and Evelith Echo.  I was impressed with the attitude shown by Evelith Echo at Sandown and at 6/1 he looks each way value.

 

1.20 – Silverburn is a full brother to Denman and has always looked a chaser in the making.  He was 2nd to Hobbs Hill on his chase debut and that horse has won since.  Silverburn should strip fitter this time and is the selection.

 

1.55 – The talented Harchibald was back to something like his best when winning the Fighting Fifth and looks the one to beat here.  Acambo reverts to hurdles after falling at the last over fences at Taunton on his last run.  I still think he has a future over fences but I can’t see him getting the better of Harchibald.  I will of course be hoping for a big run form “my horse” the Elite Racing Club’s Penzance.  He stayed on well in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham to nick 3rd but I am not sure that Kempton will suit him as well.

 

2.30 – four of the last 5 runnings of the King George have gone to the favourite and this year looks like continuing the trend.  It is difficult to find a chink in Kauto Star’s armour.  Exotic Dancer has finished runner up to the Paul Nicholl’s champion 3 times now and Kauto Star does seem to have his rival’s measure.  Kauto Star beat Exotic Dancer by 8 lengths in the King George last season and you would have to think that Kauto Star will come out on top again. Racing Demon was 3rd in last season’s race and is another that seems held on that form, although he does run well on a right handed tarck and is arguably in better fettle thgis time around..  Taranis is a decent horse in his own right but is clearly the Nicholls second string while High Cloy is on a 12 race losing sequence.  If you are looking for something to beat the favourite then my Way de Solzen and Our Vic are being touted by some experts.  My Way de Solzen was well beaten behind Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer at Haydock but may not have been fully would up that day as both the others had the benefit of a recent run.  He has a World Hurdle and an Arkle on his CV and is a particularly good jumper.  If there were 8 runners he would look a reasonable each way bet, as would Racing Demon (but there are now only 7 taking part).  Our Vic is something of an enigma. He is a talented individual and goes well fresh.  In truth though you have to think that if Kauto Star runs up to his best form he will win.

 

3.05 – Benetwood got off the mark over fences last time at Warwick and can win again here as long as we don’t get too much rain.  He is quite lightly raced, comes from a good jumping family and has been most consistent in his career thus far.

 

Huntingdon 

12.25 – Commander Vic is related to two horses that were placed in Grand Nationals but rather let the family honour down when he fell on his chase debut.  He runs over hurdles here and with the David Pipe stable really firing he gets the selection.

 

12.55 – The Pipe team may well be on another winner here with Noble Sham.  This one showed form in bumpers before winning a novice hurdle at Worcester back in 2005.  He was then on the injured list for over 2 years but has now had a couple of comeback runs and could be spot on for this.  The consistent Proud to Present, who should be suited by the track and going looks the other one of interest in this race.

 

2.00 – Smart Street has been 3rd in his last two runs, both at Kelso.  He should be better suited by the right handed track at Huntingdon and with the Reveley horses mainly running well he should give a good account.

 

2.40 – Amir El Jabal ran better than the bare form suggests at Towcester  in April.  A winner over hurdles in France he could well be leniently treated and is one to look out for if supported in the market.

 

Market Rasen

 

1.15 – Inherent is a winner of a bumper and over hurdles and makes her chase debut here.  She should do well over the bigger obstacles and is one to watch out for. Custom Design usually runs well at Market Rasen as his form figures of 1310 verify.  He also goes well fresh so could be of interest here at a big price.

 

2.20 – Victory Gunner goes for a hat trick of wins in this event but I prefer Orki Des Aigles.  He was only beaten a short head last year and showed his well being when runner up at Wetherby earlier this month.

 

Sedgefield

 

1.05 – Monolith has been a great servant to connections down the years with the Pontefract Cup on the flat and a Cheltenham handicap Hurdle among his successes.  He tackles fences for the first time here so it will be interesting to see how he goes.  The trip would appear to be on the short side for Top Cloud from our list to follow.

 

Towcester

 

12.50 – The Package and Tot o’ Whisky represent our list to follow here.  The Package has tended to race rather keenly which on the face of it could be a worry at Towcester with its very stiff finish.  However, he won a bumper there last season and I am inclined to support him.

 

1.55 – Seven is Lucky was 3rd at Exeter when the David Pipe horses were not going that well.  With the stable bang in form now I would expect a much better run.

 

Wetherby

 

2.35 – Victor Daly can follow up his win at Lingfield last month.

 

Wincanton

 

12.30 – Cracking Cliché was well beaten at Newbury earlier this month behind One Gulp but conditions that day were very testing and he deserves another chance.  Owlesbury Dream looks the danger.

 

2.45 – Russian Trigger looked a progressive sort when winning on his handicap debut at Market Rasen and can improve enough to win again.

xmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irish selections

 

Down Royal 1.30 – Northern Alliance

 

Leopardstown 12.20 – Sizing Africa

 

Leopardstown 1.20 – Temlett

 

Leopardstown 2.25 – Perce Rock

 

Limerick 1.10 – Cooldine

 

Limerick 2.15 – Arrive Sir Clive (EW)

italyNap of the day

 

Kempton 2.20 – Kauto Star

Today’s trivia  

The last race ever to be staged at Birmingham was won by a horse called Welshman ridden by Greville Starkey and the last horse home in that race was called Plantation Inn.

 

What’s in a name?

 

Russian Trigger’s sire was Double Trigger who won the Goodwood Cup 3 times.

 

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Diary: December 22 2007

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A very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone from Russellform. 

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Ascot 1.40 – Oscar Park and Special Envoy

 

Ascot 2.15 – Amour Multiple & Altilhar

 

Ascot 3.30 – Bertie May &  Shoreacres

 

Haydock 12.20 – Regal Heights, Khasab & Niaid de Missalot

 Haydock 2.30 – Cloudy Lane 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Ascot 1.40 – Chief Dan George

 

Ascot 3.30 – Uffa Fox & Washango

 

Haydock 1.30 – Nom de Guerre

 Haydock 2.30 – High Chimes                                                                                           

Russellform Ramblings

 

Fundamentalist looked a sure fire future star when winning 4 of his first 5 starts, including the Royal and SunAlliance Hurdle at the 2004 Festival when he beat the favourite Inglis Drever.  He has rather lost his way since and is on a 13 race losing sequence.  He looks to break that run in the Ascot 12.30.  It is hard to say how much of his old ability he retains but he should at least have the ground he likes as all his career wins have come on good ground.  He has shown some encouraging signs in his last couple of runs but his jumping does tend to let him down.  I would like to see him back in the winner’s enclosure.

 

Another horse that should appreciate the Ascot going is Henry Daly’s Alderburn in the 1.05.  He missed the Betfred at the end of last season with a chipped bone in his knee but should be right for this having already had one run this term.  He has his trip and ground, acts well on a right handed track and has a good record with McCoy on board.  He should be there or thereabouts.  Harris Bay won nicely over course and distance last month and goes best on a sound surface so is another to consider.

 

If ever a horse deserved to land a big prize it is Special Envoy.  He has twice come to grief at the last hurdle with the race in the bag and last time he ran a more than creditable second to the ultra resilient Inglis Drever.  He lines up in the 1.40 which looks a very competitive affair.  Oscar Park was in contention in that race won by Inglis Drever when he crumpled on landing at the penultimate hurdle.  He won the Pertemps Final at the Festival last season getting the better of the one eyed Material World after a mighty battle.  He is each way value.  Hardy Eustace is obviously top class and is as tough as old boots.  He is attempting a distance half a mile further than he has ever won over before and although he may well stay I think he is worth taking on if he is going to be short.

 

Chief Dan George was a bit disappointing when beaten in that Inglis Drever race but he is almost certainly better than that and he both stays and acts on the prevailing going.  He wears a first time visor and should not be left out of the calculations.  The enigmatic Black Jack Ketchum will no doubt have his supporters but he has appeared not to relish a fight in the past and the winner of this will probably have to dig deep.  This is tricky.  My heart says Special Envoy as he clearly deserves a big win.  I would be inclined to go for something at a bigger price each way with Oscar Park my favoured option.  Lyes Green could also run well at a big price.

 

Plenty of national hunt horses are more at home when there is plenty of juice in the ground so when the going is likely to be on the firm side it usually pays to look for horses with form on a sound surface.  George Moore likes to target the big handicap hurdles and he runs Altilhar in the Ascot 2.15.  He is high enough in the weights but has a turn of foot and most importantly he has won twice on good to firm on the flat.  He is a course and distance winner and Jamie Moore has a 50% strike rate when riding him.  He is my selection for the 2.15.

 

The 3.30 looks a decent bumper.  Bertie May won 2 bumpers last season and looks a really nice type.  He is trained by Kevin Bishop who also handles Ashley Brooke.  Although he is penalised for those wins he has a very capable conditional in Darren O’Dwyer taking off 7 lbs.  I am not sure about the horses’ ability to handle a firm surface though.  There is plenty of opposition including Noble Alan who absolutely flew home in a maiden bumper at Newcastle last month.  That was on good to firm as well so he is definitely one to consider.  All About Trigger ran well in third in a bumper at Uttoxeter in November.  He is well related and is likely to come on for his debut run.  This looks a race likely to produce plenty of future winners.

 

All 3 of our runners in the 12.20 at Haydock have something to prove.  Khasab was a bit of an unlucky loser on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham but was then pulled up on his return to Prestbury Park.  The ground was deteriorating that day though and I think he is worth another chance.  Niaid de Missalot was a beaten favourite on his last run but may have failed to get the trip and tomorrow the 20 furlongs could see him in a better light.  Regal Heights is well thought of by connections but his wins have mainly come when the mud was flying so I am more inclined to side with Khasab and Niaid de Missalot.

 There is an interesting line up for the Tommy Whittle Chase at 2.35.  8 of the last 10 winners have carried 11 stone or more so it would be unwise to rule out the top weights.  Rambling Minster heads the weights and comes here on the back of a win in the Borders National at Kelso.  That was only 13 days ago and there is a danger that this race might come a bit soon for him. Jaunty Times is a big horse that takes a bit of getting fit so he should be all the better for his first run of the season at Cheltenham where he was 4th last month.  He has come down the weights a little bit and comes into the reckoning. High Chimes and Cloudy Lane were 4th and 5th respectively over course and distance last month and they may well hold the key to this race.  I would give slight preference to Cloudy Lane on this occasion and he is the selection.   Aztec Warrior is another in this race that commands respect but his win have come in small fields and I wonder if that is the key to him. 

Nap of the day

 Ascot 2.15 – Altilhar  Today’s triviaAround 7.70% of runners fell or unseated their riders over the chase course at Ascot last season. What’s in a name?

Cryptic runs in the 1.30ay Haydock.  Cryptic means “I conceal” in Greek.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 22 2007” →

Diary: December 17 2007

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Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Ayr  1.00 – Bedlam Boy

 

Ayr 3.05 – Berwick Law

 

Plumpton  12.50 – Pauillac

 

Plumpton 2.25 – Low Delta

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Plumpton 12.20 – Daltaban

 

Plumpton 1.20 – Herecomesthetruth

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Much to my surprise some of my nap selections are actually winning and Glencove Marina was another success at Navan this afternoon, albeit with the help of a couple of fallers.  He looks a decent prospect.

 

Bedlam Boy makes his debut over fences for Nicky Richards in the 1.00 at Ayr tomorrow.  He won twice last season and ended his campaign with a 3rd behind the highly rated Tidal Bay.  He is likely to need further than this 2 miles eventually but he has the speed for the shorter trip and could make a winning start to a career over fences.  Monolith also makes his chase bow.  He is not very big but could well be the sort to pick up a race or two over the larger obstacles.  If he does he will join that “club” of horses that have won over hurdles, fences and on the flat.

 

Berwick Law was 2nd over two miles at Newcastle last time out.  The extra half miles of the Ayr 3.05 will play more to his strengths and he should go close.

 

Daltaban, a winner at Chantilly on the flat looks the form pick in the 12.20 at Plumpton.  He is owned by David Johnson.

 

Pauillac jumped soundly when winning on his chase debut at Lingfield.  With the David Pipe stable in fine form he should be able to follow up in the 12.50 at Plumpton.

 

Low Delta may well have won when unseating last time at Chepstow and is worth another chance in the 2.25 at Plumpton.

  

Nap of the day

 

Plumpton  12.50 – Pauillac

  

Today’s trivia

 

Trainer Tim Vaughan won over 120 races as a point to point rider.

 

What’s in a name?

 

Sheriff Roscoe was a winner at Leicester the other day.  The name is taken from a character in the old TV series The Dukes of Hazzard.

 

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Diary: December 16 2007

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Russellform Ramblings

 

Osana and Tidal Bay were winners from our list to follow at Cheltenham this afternoon.  Tidal Bay has a very consistent record, never finishing out of the first 2.  He carries his head rather high and I think that makes his jumping look a bit awkward at times.  He seems to get from side of his fences to the other well enough though.

 

Osana put himself firmly in the Champion Hurdle picture beating some of the leading contenders including the reigning champion Sublimity.  There was a sad postscript to this race with the aftal accident to Mac’s Joy.  He was described by his trainer as a “little tiger” and he was all of that.  He is best remembered for some titanic battles with his arch rivals Hardy Eustace, Harchibald and Brave Inca.  He will be missed,

 

Nap of the day

 

Navan 12.25 – Glencove Marina

 

Today’s trivia

 

Glencove Marina is related to former Ascot Gold Cup winner Mr Dinos

 

 

 



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Diary: December 15 2007

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Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Cheltenham 12.20 – Francoek

 

Cheltenham 2.05 – Tidal Bay & Predateur

 

Cheltenham 2.40 – New Little Bric & Abragante

 

Cheltenham 3.10 – Katchit, Osana & Afsoun

 

Doncaster 12.05 – Otage de Brion

 

Doncaster 2.55 – Cloudy Lane

 

Doncaster 3.25 – Kings Quay & Classic Gold

 

Lingfield 2.30 – Michael Muck

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Doncaster 12.35 – Ordre De Bataille

 

Lingfield 2.30 – Labelthou

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

The Boylesports Gold Cup has been won by a 6, 7 or 8 year old in the last 10 years.  Only one horse has won at odds of bigger than 10/1 and no winner carried more than 11 stone 3.  Those trends give both Newe Little Bric and Abrogante leading chances.  The ground will suit the David Pipe horse and the stable have been in good form of late. My slight preference though is for New Little Bric who should be all the better for his run at Ascot last month and is open to improvement.

 

Francoek has looked impressive in his runs over hurdles so far and will be hard to beat in the 12.20 at Cheltenham.

 

Paul Nicholls speaks very highly of Predateur who has been likened to Flagship Uberalles.  I don’t think it would be fair to judge him on his 2nd to Moon Over Miami at Cheltenham last month as the ground was probably too soft for him and I am expecting a better showing today.  For my selection in the 2.05 though I am going to stick with Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay who has form figures at Cheltenham of 1221.

 

In the 3.10 I can’t really find a good reason to oppose Sublimity.  Although Afsoun and Katchit both have the benefit of a run (two runs in Katchit’s case) Sublimity has run well fresh before and he has to be the selection.

 

At Fairyhouse I fancy Kazal in the 2.25.

  

Nap of the day

 

Cheltenham 2.40 – New Little Bric

 

Today’s trivia

 

John Francome began his riding career at Worcester in 1970 with a win on a horse called Multigrey.

 

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Diary: December 14 2007

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Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Cheltenham 12.45 – Imperial Commander & Ornais

 

Cheltenham 1.20 Simon & Blue Splash

 

Cheltenham 3.40 – Calgary Bay

 

Doncaster 2.15 – Tot ‘o Whisky & Tazbar

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Cheltenham 3.40 – Snap Tie

 

Doncaster 2.50 – Opus Cafe

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

The 12.45 at Cheltenham has only attracted 4 runners but all the quartet have chances.  The pair from our list to follow look the most likely winners and both were impressive winners on their last outings. Imperial Commander likes Cheltenham having won there 3 times from 6 visits but it would of course take a brave man to oppose a Paul Nicholls runner at the moment

 

In the 1.20 the ground has probably gone against Simon but Blue Splash shouldn’t be inconvenienced by it and seems to be on the upgrade.  At 7/1 he would be my each way suggestion.

 

Snap Tie runs well at Cheltenham (he was 2nd to Imperial Commander there in a bumper earlier in his career).  He should go well in the 3.40.  Calgary Bay has shown some ability on his starts so far and with AP McCoy in the saddle could be an each way possibility.

 

Furmigadelagiusta makes his hurdles bow in the 12.00 at Doncaster.  He won a couple of times on the flat and was rated 89. He could be the sort to do well over timber.

 

Nap of the day

 

Doncaster 2.15 – Tazbar

 

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Diary: December 13 2007

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Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Huntingdon 3.00 – Amir El Jabal

 

Taunton 1.20 – Mole’s Chamber

 

Taunton 3.50 – Not Left Yet & Boyastara

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

The Dartnall yard are going well as evidenced by recent wins from Benetwood and Lodge Lane from our list to follow.  Mole’s Chamber runs for that yard in the Taunton 1.20 and should start at fair odds given the presence of a couple of fancied runners from big stables.  There might be a doubt about Mole’s Chamber’s ability to get the trip but if he stays he looks value.

 

I see that Not Left Yet, who runs in the handicap hurdle at Taunton has an entry in the Welsh National over Christmas.

 

Nap of the day

 

Colisay – 1.50 Taunton

 

Today’s trivia

 

Warsaw Pact runs in the Ludlow 1.40.  When trained on the flat by Sir Mark Prescott ran up a hat trick of wins in the space of 10 days in 2006.

 

What’s in a name?

 

Sandy Denny (Ludlow 3.40) is presumably named after the folk/rock singer who was with the band Fairport Convention and who died in 1978.

 

 

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The Last Hero

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The wind blew out from Bergen from the dawning to the day,
There was a wreck of trees and fall of towers a score of miles away,
And drifted like a livid leaf I go before its tide,
Spewed out of house and stable, beggared of flag and bride.
The heavens are bowed about my head, shouting like seraph wars,
With rains that might put out the sun and clean the sky of stars,
Rains like the fall of ruined seas from secret worlds above,
The roaring of the rains of God none but the lonely love.
Feast in my hall, O foemen, and eat and drink and drain,
You never loved the sun in heaven as I have loved the rain.

 

The chance of battle changes — so may all battle be;
I stole my lady bride from them, they stole her back from me.
I rent her from her red-roofed hall, I rode and saw arise,
More lovely than the living flowers the hatred in her eyes.
She never loved me, never bent, never was less divine;
The sunset never loved me, the wind was never mine.
Was it all nothing that she stood imperial in duresse?
Silence itself made softer with the sweeping of her dress.
O you who drain the cup of life, O you who wear the crown,
You never loved a woman's smile as I have loved her frown.


 
The wind blew out from Bergen to the dawning of the day,
They ride and run with fifty spears to break and bar my way,
I shall not die alone, alone, but kin to all the powers,
As merry as the ancient sun and fighting like the flowers.
How white their steel, how bright their eyes! I love each laughing knave,
Cry high and bid him welcome to the banquet of the brave.
Yea, I will bless them as they bend and love them where they lie,
When on their skulls the sword I swing falls shattering from the sky.
The hour when death is like a light and blood is like a rose, —
You never loved your friends, my friends, as I shall love my foes.

 

Know you what earth shall lose to-night, what rich uncounted loans,
What heavy gold of tales untold you bury with my bones?
My loves in deep dim meadows, my ships that rode at ease,
Ruffling the purple plumage of strange and secret seas.
To see this fair earth as it is to me alone was given,
The blow that breaks my brow to-night shall break the dome of heaven.
The skies I saw, the trees I saw after no eyes shall see,
To-night I die the death of God; the stars shall die with me;
One sound shall sunder all the spears and break the trumpet's breath:
You never laughed in all your life as I shall laugh in death.

 

G K Chesterton

 

(Written in 1901)

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Diary: December 12 2007

MartinLeave a comment

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Hexham 12.50 – Bywell Beau

 

Hexham 1.50 – Shrewd Investor

 

Hexham 2.20 – Gunner Jack

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

I have watched the video of the Tingle Creek 3 times now and Twist Magic seems to get better each time!  He certainly travelled and jumped faultlessly and stands as a worthy favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March.  Voy Por Ustedes supporters can point to that horse’s record at Cheltenham where his form figures read 112and if both horses stay fit the big race should be something to really look forward to.

 

Elsewhere I see that Keith Reveley won the Borders National at Kelso with Rambling Minster at 25/1. His mother trained the grey A Piece of Cake to win the same race in 2003 at 20/1.

 

By the way I am on a winning run of 8 naps!

 

Nap of the day

 

Hexham 1.50 – Shrewd Investor

 

Today’s trivia

 

The great Shergar sired 36 offspring, including an Irish St Leger winner.

 

What’s in a name?

 

Northern Vic runs in the 2.50 at Hexham.  There are plenty of jumpers around these days with Vic in the name as they share a common sire in Old Vic.  One of the most successful of his progeny has been Our Vic, winner of the Charlie Hall chase and the Paddy Power Gold Cup among other big races.

Continue reading “Diary: December 12 2007” →