Monday 23 November

What a weekend of National Hunt Racing!! It highlighted what is so good about this wonderful sport, and puts into focus what is so wrong with the flat. Jump racing gives us the chance of following our equine heros year after year and on Saturday we saw a 2 time Champion in Kauto Star and Imperial Commander go head to head at Haydock. What a race - changing fortunes all the way up the long Haydock straight, both horses locked in combat, very talented and brave both, with Kauto Star coming out on top by the narrowest of margins. A truly great race that will live long in the memory.Meanwhile at Huntingdon I was really impressed with the new stand and Owners and Trainers bar, a vast improvement, and it will greatly enhance a days racing at the track. Willow Wren ran very well in the first, beaten a long way into third by 2 very good mares she will come on a bundle for the run and it was a super start. She jumped very well, and showed all of the battling qualities synonymous with the family. Jardin De Vienne ran with a lot more spark in the handicap hurdle. Only beaten about 28 lengths into ninth he travelled with a lot more verve and seemed to really enjoy himself. His jumping was very good on the whole and he merely ran out of gas after 2 miles. I have to hold my hands up and admit that I was wrong, and that he does not stay the extra half mile, so we will retain the headgear and drop him back in trip. With a little help from the handicapper and down in grade he will be getting his head in front soon. Initially I was a little disappointed with his effort, but I have to say when I watched the replay when we got home, I felt he had run a better race than on debut, and he is certainly going the right way. Sam capped off the day with a great ride on Laskari to win the veterans chase, and get himself a good payday, and off of the cold list, hopefully his run will continue this week with Millarky and Bobby Gee entered.