Set up Square in the Air, City AM racing editor, King Of Stars & Lipsink, run Pay The Bill Syndicate (Rare Edition & Pragnell), share in Billy Lee Swagger
Just spoke to
@_Davy_Russel_
who has landed back home - was in the car with
@gelliott_racing
. He won't get to see his wife Edelle or kids until tomorrow night now as he is riding
@Fairyhouse
tomorrow. 'Where you staying tonight?' I asked. 'Tonight I'm sleeping with Tiger Roll'...
1/2 Spoke to someone within the yard who described yesterday as horrific. Staff in tears, unable to pick themselves off the floor. Seeing horses they love being loaded onto boxes & taken away. Distressing for the horses not to mention the team that have devoted every waking hour.
Just spoke to
@_Davy_Russel_
who has asked me to put out the following statement sadly confirming that he will miss next month's
@CheltenhamRaces
Festival
Just spoken to
@_Davy_Russel_
who remains in hospital. He needs surgery on a couple of damaged bones in his neck. That will take place tomorrow & he is expected to be on the sidelines for 2 months. He's in good spirits & would like to thank everyone for all their lovely messages.
Gutted that my Dad finally lost his battle last night after such a struggle. He was everything a father should be & I'll miss him more than he will ever know. As a child it was he who drove me to every racecourse around the land. Quality time together I shall treasure forever...
Breaking: Statement from
@dickyjohnson77
who has retired with immediate effect after finishing third aboard Brother Tedd in the 5.25pm Newton Abbot
I took my boy tonight for his first England game. It should have been the best night of his life, whatever the result. It was a shocker, broken glass, fighting, bottles thrown, booing Italian anthem - I left with him before extra-time. He was petrified & tearful
#ComingHome
Also hats off to
@_Davy_Russel_
who will cap an astonishing top Cheltenham jockey, Grand National winning season by being crowned Irish Champion Jockey
@punchestownrace
on Saturday, showing what a true gentleman he is every step of the way.
Noel and Valerie Moran's horses including the likes of Zanahiyr, The Bosses Oscar and Grand Roi have not left Gordon Elliott's yard despite reports saying they have. The sponsorship of the yard has been terminated but the horses have not been taken away.
2/2 The photo is horrific, but we mustn't ignore the human element of this witch hunt. Gordon will know his official punishment on Friday but the impact on his and his team's mental health are unimaginable.
And that’s it.
@_Davy_Russel_
will officially call it a day after riding Galvin in the Grand National and Pour Les Filles in the bumper
@AintreeRaces
.
Just spoke to
@dickyjohnson77
who regrettably confirmed that he has broken his right arm. He will have it plated in the next 24/48 hours and is confident of being back in the saddle for the
@CheltenhamRaces
Festival.
Today
@Sandownpark
would have been
@CorneliusRacing
's last day at the BBC as it's racing correspondent. His departure marks the end of a golden era for our sport and very few others have done more to spread our sport's news into cars and living rooms over three decades.
Sad day as we said goodbye to Stanley after 13 years. We'll always be grateful to
@ProfNoelFitz
who fixed his leg after a car accident 11 years ago. This is him this morning exploring the option of one last extra breakfast. Hobble off into the sunset now we will miss you
Just spoken to a groggy
@dickyjohnson77
who has just come round from successful surgery to fit a plate in his right arm (ulna). The operation was a success according to the specialist and he hopes to leave hospital in Eastleigh later tonight (if they let him).
Exactly 18 years ago tomorrow I set up
@squareintheair
. It has been an amazing journey to date and I have been so lucky with a remarkable set of loyal clients and a brilliant team who have carried me every step of the way.
After coming through his work well this week, we have decided to have a crack at Tuesday’s Supreme Novices
@CheltenhamRaces
with Rare Edition.
@CharlieLongsdon
and his team are delighted with him and the plan is to declare on Sunday if he’s fit and well🤞
After 18 years, I am taking a step away from the operational side of the business to become Chairman. I am delighted to hand the reins to Ben Cleminson, who is taking over as CEO. Ben will be ably assisted by Ollie Drew as his COO and Robin Hutchison as CCO. Exciting times.
🚨 Big news! We are delighted to announce that Ben Cleminson has been appointed CEO of Square in the Air.
Our leadership change sees Ben supported by our new Chief Operating Officer, Ollie Drew, and our new Chief Commercial Officer, Robin Hutchison. 🤝
After 18 years at the
Just spoke to
@_Davy_Russel_
who confirmed he won't be back for
@punchestownrace
next week. He continues to build towards his return and, although his neck feels better, he wants to be 100% fit to ride the likes of Envoi Allen and will target a less high profile return.
Devastated to share the awful news that fellow
@cityam
Punter Podcast host Chris Barnett (
@midnightmix
) died suddenly on Monday. He was a brilliant broadcaster and an even better human being. Thoughts with his wife Sam and daughter Nicola at such a difficult time.
What a trainer
@MickApplebyUK
is...
He picked up ANNAF for 16,000 from Shadwell in the Tatts Autumn Sale in 2021 and he's just won the £944,882 for winning the Saudi Turf Sprint.
Him and Jonny deserve all their success 👏👏
Unbelievable night with THAT IS THE SPIRIT winning for
@MickApplebyUK
- my 1st winner in Britain (1st start in these colours too).Remarkable training performance but special mention to
@RJOBracing
who began this journey recommended the move & was first to congratulate
Great to sponsor
@CheltenhamRaces
yesterday but disappointing that's not reflected in
@racingpost
report. We ask ourselves often as an industry why it's so hard to attract sponsors... this simple thing doesn't help. Our race is 'the 2m novice chase'...
🗣 "I was going to do cartwheels"
Jump racing's ability to showcase the underdog was in evidence after the 2m novice chase won by Straw Fan Jack, whose trainer Sheila Lewis has gone from painting nails to beating Gordon Elliott
Just cannot get my head around the decision to declare Altior a NR in the Tingle Creek last night. Going on the chase course remains Soft, Good to Soft in places this morning. Those conditions would actually play to the horse's strengths rather than expose his weaknesses.
Never thought I'd ever have a runner
@Goodwood_Races
, let alone a favourite! KING OF STARS (pictured breezing on Saturday) goes in the 4.10pm tomorrow providing the rain stays away.
@MickApplebyUK
reports he is in great form and is hopeful of a bold showing 🤞🤞🤞
The Coral Welsh Grand National is scheduled to go off at 2.50pm on Monday with the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown five minutes later at 2.55pm... doesn't seem sensible race planning
Rare Edition on his way back in after winning
@kemptonparkrace
for
@CharlieLongsdon
@CobdenHarry
- a tilt at the Betfair Hurdle almost certainly off the cards as he needs stepping up in trip. Just wanted to put that out there as he is now as short as 10s.
Just caught up with
@_Davy_Russel_
who confirmed he is still a bit sore and won’t ride at Fairyhouse this weekend. However, he intends to return to the saddle
@AintreeRaces
next week and hopes to ride in the
#GrandNational
Rare Edition fine after his exertions
@kemptonparkrace
yesterday according to
@CharlieLongsdon
. Nearly half of the syndicate are first time owners and I loved this photo of Ollie's kids meeting their new hero after the race. They loved yesterday. Hopefully hooked.
One thing I wanted to add about
@_Davy_Russel_
was that I never saw anyone ride
@CheltenhamRaces
better. Don’t know what it was, perhaps his softly-softly patient style suited the track so well. So fitting then that his last ride at the track back in October was a winning one.
A very good friend's Aunt has now been missing in London for 24 hours. She is in her 80s and has dementia and never returned home from a trip to Vision Express on the Kings Road yesterday. Appreciate any RTs as they are distraught...
The £207,612.46 Idaho got for finishing 5th in this morning's Japan Cup is more than he has accrued in all three career victories to date including the Hardwicke Stakes and the Great Voltigeur
Here's a thought for. Exactly this time (just after 7.30am), on this exact day 104 years ago, the Battle of the Somme started. Makes you think how lucky we are to have be born a century later. We live in worrying times, but cannot begin to think what it must have felt like then.
Delighted with RARE EDITION's comeback run
@DoncasterRaces
today. The removal of hurdles in the home straight certainly wasn't ideal, but he ran his heart out all the way to the line. Thanks
@CharlieLongsdon
and team...
What an incredible performance from RARE EDITION
@kemptonparkrace
giving the Pay The Bill syndicate the afternoon of dreams. Thank you team
@CharlieLongsdon
we are all in dreamland
That was one of the best races I have ever witnessed. Brilliant sportsmanship from both camps to take their chances and the best of possible finishes. Hats off to Paul Townend too for sticking out his paw immediately after the line too.
Delighted with KING OF STARS who finished second
@Ascot
today trying to give over a stone to Call Me Ginger. Brilliantly trained by
@MickApplebyUK
and ridden by
@SilvDSousa
- maybe a trip back to Ascot in a fortnight for the Shergar Cup 👍
RARE EDITION back in action and has been declared to run stepped up in trip
@Ascot
on Saturday. Thrilled that
@CobdenHarry
has been booked to ride 🤞
For Day One of the Cheltenham Festival Fred pledged all over the counter profit from our 1630 shops to the Children’s Brain Scanner Appeal.
Today we unveiled the cheque.
#CheltenhamFestival
Congratulations
@SilvDSousa
on winning the Longines International Jockeys Championship at Happy Valley tonight... more evidence that he is one of the world's very best.
Yesterday's shocking news about John Hunt's indescribable loss so articulately put here by Richard Hoiles. A nicer, kinder, gentler family man you never will meet. A pain and loss words cannot describe. Truly heartbreaking.
"Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family are held."
We are all thinking of you, John ❤️
Was great being back
@CheltenhamRaces
today and sponsoring the handicap hurdle. However, it's so very strange without the crowds... here's the view just before the last
King Of Stars won't run
@Ascot
today as the ground and forecast has gone against him. That will be it for a remarkable season which has seen him win four times and graduate from a mark of 75 to the 104 he is today - a truly incredible training performance from
@MickApplebyUK
👏👏
Great judge and an even better person. Hats off Mr Segal 👏
Don't forget he's putting these up at much bigger prices - maybe 6, 12, 8 and 14 respectively
I have known
@BenStarSports
for years now and he would never have been aware that Sir Erec was injured when he tweeted immediately post race. To him it was just a beaten favourite and he has since apologised. Let's move on.
Just caught up with a few jockeys riding in the Derby who told me that there is a new ‘purple’ flag to look out for as they are riding which warns of protestors on the track
The big day is here. Huge thanks to
@CharlieLongsdon
& the Hull Farm team for getting RARE EDITION here
@CheltenhamRaces
for the Supreme Novices. It’s a dream come true for all of us in the Pay The Bill syndicate to have a runner at
#cheltenham2023
King Of Stars trotting up sound this morning after yesterday's gutsy second. Plenty have sent messages saying he'd have won if he'd had kept straight. The drift across the track was a deliberate and planned move by
@SilvDSousa
towards the fastest part 👍
Sadly wasn't to be for Rare Edition
@Huntingdon_Race
today where STD felt he never jumped or travelled like he did at Kempton. He subsequently didn't scope great & will now be freshened up - we'll return to two miles next on slightly softer ground.. maybe at Cheltenham 💪
Happy Christmas and fingers crossed for Rare Edition who goes again in the opener
@kemptonparkrace
tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing him run along with plenty of the Pay The Bill Syndicate.
@CharlieLongsdon
reports him in good form so hopeful of a bold showing🤞
A really moving story…
@MCYeeehaaa
talks to William Bethell whose daughter Harriet is in intensive care following a serious fall on the gallops last week.
Our best wishes go out to Harriet and the whole Bethell family…