Full time sports punter/analyst. Most sports racing, NFL, cricket, rugby league and football. Also run small racing advisory service, enquiries welcome.
Almost six months to the day since my quintuple heart bypass and just completed a 5 mile walk/run in around an 1hr 10 mins. Hardly Mo Farah but a massive step forward both physically and mentally.
Good day yesterday as I passed all the final checks from my recent heart bypass operation ahead of schedule. Now discharged from the care of the hospital - just the gym rehab to do now.
Good outcome at the doctors yesterday and now stitches free in the legs after my quintuple heart bypass. Moving around getting easier by the day; might be ready for some roadwork soon. Thanks to all for continued good wishes.
Now 10 weeks since my quintuple heart bypass and bar one trip to see my surgeon I'm back to near full health. Starting my gym rehab in a week or so which will be a test but looking forward to it. It's been a challenging time but all the kind messages have been much appreciated.
No fanfares but a 5 mile walk/run in the wind and ran has completed 100 walk/runs in 100 days. 500+ miles covered, one pair of running shoes retired,two stone lost in weight and heart in good order. Thanks for all the kind words over the past few months. What's next!!
Once again
@LydiaHislop
showing why she is one of the best interviewers on TV especially with (supposed) difficult subjects and of course the easier types. Just witness the interview with SMS. Always gets plenty out of everyone and done with empathy and interest.
#class
Best rehab of all tomorrow and a return to the racecourse at Carlisle and RUK. It's been a challenging road back but looking forward to tomorrow and the seven-race card. Thanks to all who have sent good wishes over the past few weeks.
#progress
Final day of gym rehab today five months after my bypass operation. The physios have been wonderful and very motivating, back to some light running already; there might be another marathon in the offing yet. Just glad to be back feeling well and healthy again.
Start of a new week and nearly a month since my multiple bypass operation. Progress continues to be good and feeling a lot stronger now; looking forward to getting back to work in another couple of weeks if we continue at the same rate.
Exactly eight weeks to the day since I had my quintuple heart bypass and after plenty of rest and now rehab I can say that I'm really feeling back to my best. Onwards and upwards.
#progress
End of an era today with the last ever Fibresand meeting at
@Southwell_Races
. My favourite AW surface for a bet will be gone - seen some decent horses on the "beach" over the years plus a few AW heroes like General Tufto. Shame the
@RacingPost
don't even mention the track today.
Why do bookmakers who won't let me have more than £2 on a horse keep sending me e-mails about safer gambling. BTW on those sites you can have as much as you like on the Casino/Slots.
#cosmetic
Two years to the day since my eight-hour quintuple heart bypass operation. Thankful to all those at
@MFT_MRI
for their care and support at that time. Fit and healthy now and feeling in good shape.
Around 850 cards done for
@SportingLife
in 3.5 years, last one done and dusted. Thanks to all at the SL and
@ICSdigital
for the opportunities. Time to concentrate on a good set of lads in my trading group although always willing to to take a look at any other doors that may open.
Six weeks to the day now since my bypass op and feeling stronger and stronger by the day. Still a little way to go but with physio starting this week eberything should be back to normal in a few more weeks.
Year to the day since I had my quintuple heart bypass operation. Road back has been a long, slow one but still in awe of the wonderful staff at
@MFT_MRI
.
#onwardsandupwards
Started the walking regime again today - aim is a marathon in total each week and to build from there. This was the vista towards the end of today’s 5 mile jaunt.
Only a small achievement in my little bubble but that's 50 consecutive walk/runs done today with 5.5 miles added this morn (34 on week, just shy of 250 miles in total.). Going to try for the next 50 now, will update weekly as I'm sure some are bored with me daily. Stay safe all.
Be away from here over the next few weeks as I'm due in hospital on Monday for what's best described as a wind op, sure I'll be worth backing on the first couple of runs back.
Well 2018 has been a challenging one especially with the major op but we are out the other side now with rehab going better than ever. Thanks to all who sent best wishes and visited me when I was ill, its all been very much appreciated and helped with my recovery.
#onwards
Shame that Gary O'Brien is such a good presenter as he's by far the best of the Irish comms, no screaming and shouting just clear and concise descriptions of the unfolding events.
Now spent three weeks at home recovering from my recent operation and progress continues back to full health. Daily walks are getting longer and feeling better and better by the day. Hope to be firing on all cylinders in a few more weeks.
New high on the rehab front today - 3m walk to gym, another 2m walk/run, 10k bike ride, 1500m rowing - getting stronger by the day, now eight months since the heart bypass.
#onwards
Successful trip into Wigan yesterday and walked the furthest since my quintuple bypass operation. No ill effects so it looks like we are 100 per cent on the way back to full fitness.
#happydays
#progress
Really seen some good progress this week after my big op. Managed a short outside walk yesterday after a trip to the docs. Long way to go but the light at the end of the tunnel is burning bright.
Second walk went well yesterday with my grandson pushing me along at a slightly quicker pace. Quiet morning today followed by checkup at doctors this afternoon. Recovery continues well.
Utterly heartbreaking, I've never met G but I've followed his story and chatted on here. His courage, fortitude and general outlook through this terrible time has to be admired and applauded. I can only hope that you are comfortable over the next few weeks and pray you will be.
Hard to know how to write this thread but I’m not strong enough either emotionally or physically to write a long thread. Before I share what I need to share, just wanted to say thanks for all the comments the last 48hrs. Read every one, just too tired to reply.
Further progress just completed my longest walk since my op 3.5 miles with some steep hills along the way. Looking to step that up in the coming weeks.
#progress
Had a good first rehab physio session yesterday after the op and outperformed the average marks at this stage of rehab. More to do next week (sessions are now twice weekly). Looking forward to being back on the course next week at Carlisle for RUK; the best rehab of all.
If you do like reading about the racecourses of long ago and those that we have lost then I can thoroughly recommend Chris Pitt's book "A Long Time Gone".
2018 was a challenging year with the major op but I've come out the other side bigger and stronger. Thanks to all who sent some very kind and thoughtful messages in that time and of course all the wonderful staff
@MFT_MRI
. Onwards and upwards for 2019 - HNY to you all.
Note to fellow walkers/runners I'm only being friendly with a wave or a "Good Morning" it would be nice if you didn't ignore especially in these testing times.
#costsnothing
@theformanalyst
Well miss you too G, your courage has been an inspiration over the last few months and I genuinely wish we could have met and talked racing. To share your experience and journey over the past few months has been amazing and we should be thanking you. Much love to you/ family.
Of course the Arsenal result is disappointing for a lifelong Gooner but football and life gets put into sharp perspective when you read you read
@theformanalyst
news today.
Had a really good week recovering from my bypass op; walking getting easier and each day sees progress. Hope to be back at full speed in another week or two. Thanks to all for the good wishes that have been sent on here.
Not posted an update for a few days but progress continues and I feel the strongest I've felt for weeks today after my nrecent op. Onwards and upwards.
Right, that’s me done I think. Difficult thread to write and brings back lots of memories but as always, I want this journey to be as honest and transparent as possible and I wanted to share the story with all of you. One last thing….
#fuckcancer
Just received some beautiful flowers from the team at
@racing_uk
to wish me a speedy recovery. Thanks to all for those - a really thoughtful and kind gesture. Much appreciated and hope to see all on the channel v v soon.
Well I'm now up to 64 consecutive walks/runs - thrown in some longer distances this week so the weekly total is up to 37 miles and closing in on 300 in total. Just 36 to go now to make the 100 in a row. Stay safe all (or should that be stay alert :). Until next week.
Also congrats to
@donaldmccain
and his team for winning the
#Cartmel
Trainer's Title - with another two winners yesterday. Best wishes for a successful and safe rest of the NH season.
Went for a walk outside yesterday it was only a short one in the circumstances but it felt good to be outside in the fresh air. Another short canter planned today😊.
#progress
Awful news about Lorna Brooke - thoughts very much with her family, friends and colleagues. Shows you the risks that all jockeys take each and every day. Rest in peace Lorna.
Something to set your watch by - the Cheltenham Racing Post price rise - £3.90 Sunday - Friday and £4.20 are the new figures you are being asked to pay.
Another cracking rehab session yesterday and eight weeks after my bypass I'm two sessions away from being cleared from the hospital rehab programmes. Move onto a 10-week programme now at the local gym to further recovery.
#progress
Wonderful to be going home from the amazing
@MFT_MRI
today but in a way sad as I’ll be leaving behind surgeons and nurses who l can’t praise highly enough for their skill, dedication and care.
#greatpeople
With so many Red and Amber weather warnings it really does seem crazy to expect trainers and stable staff to get horses to tracks. Stay safe all those who have to.
What a prick the bloke opposite me in hospital is - not only do we get the MOTD theme at every message he receives (including at 3 this morning) he also has the worse ring tone ever - glad he’s going home today otherwise I was putting up the green screens around him
#silence
Nice walk this morning made it twice round the block - having another spin with my lovely grandson Nicky this afternoon. Progress remains steady after my op - thanks again for all the good wishes that have been sent.
Don't suppose there are too many people on here from round where I live (Blackrod - BL6) but if anyone who can't get out needs a little job doing or the dog walking I'm at a loose end for around six weeks at the moment. Happy to help.
Three weeks to the day since the amazing surgeons
@MFT_MRI
carried out out my quintuple heart bypass operation. Progress continues to be good and hopefully all will be back to normal in a few more weeks.
One of the best football books ever - certainly in my top five - well worth checking out other books by
@camsell59
especially The Farther the follow up to The Far Corner
Going to get in early and wish all followers a Happy New Year. Let's hope it's better than the last two and that we can stay healthy, happy and prosper in 2022. Stay safe all.
Rehab continues after the bypass op - now onto a gym triathlon - 6k hilly bike ride, 2k run and 1500m row, not quite cracked the 50 minute barrier yet but its in view!
#onwards
More issues on Betfair today, one race still not settled, API working while main website was down, races not turned in-play and a late suspension on the Man Utd game. Lots of issues there
@BetfairCS
Market management need a massive overhaul.
Riders get enough grief at starts when they are too keen etc, be nice to see the Starter asked a few questions about that Wincanton start by the Stewards.
With thanks to
@invictalit
As Andrew Beyer said, ‘Read the Wall Street Journal, you’re an upstanding citizen. Read the Daily Racing Form, you’re a bum.’ Which industry through the history of time keeps getting bailed out by the taxpayer?
Sums up the current situation.
Spot on and bravo
@RichardHoiles
- made so many good points. One in particular about the grifters (Harrington in particular) who seek to just take, take, take out of the sport and give nothing back.
Completed 66th consecutive run/walk this morning, at this rate I should bring up the 100 (not out) on Monday 29th June. Total distance will be near 500 miles.....(cue The Proclaimers). Stay safe all.
#excercise