"When you're casually walking past Cheltenham Races at 3.50pm on a Saturday afternoon with your Mum." I thought this photo I found on Instagram this morning was brilliant! 😃
Hands up if you ever used to do this job? I used to board mark, cashier, and settle for Ladbrokes whilst I studied at university. Come to think of it, betting shops were the university of life! There were some proper characters inside.
Just realised The Masters and the Grand National are taking place on the same weekend. This is music to the ears of those who like to play the each-way double when the two events coincide. Who will you include in your double? 🏇⛳️
Why do people crab a race when the result doesn't go their way financially? I've seen plenty of negative comments about Clan Des Obeaux. I recall the same thing happened when Lord Windermere won the Gold Cup. You lost, he won- get on with it.
It's a fairytale ending to Sam Waley-Cohen's riding career as he goes out on a high by steering Noble Yeats to Grand National victory. Pretty obvious pick in hindsight!
#Aintree
#GrandNational2022
I can't thank my local hospice enough for the last 10 days and all the things they did for us. Said our final goodbyes this morning but seeing what they do first-hand has certainly planted the volunteering seeds in my mind for the future. It's always nice to give something back.
Absolutely made up to witness the brave mare Apple Away lead from start to finish in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. A perfect ride from Stephen Mulqueen.
Really emotional day today. Never thought I'd have to get my head around palliative care in a matter of hours and what it means for us and our immediate family member. Upsetting bit is she was given 6-9 months today on her birthday, of all the days.
#gutted
Apparently some bloke called Racing Knobber stood behind me and my friends at Newcastle today, grabbed a handful of random sloshed young lads to play up to his camera phone, and then chant "Nico, Nico"
**NEWS** The Jockey Club has announced that all 11 of its racecourses which stage Jump racing will make the transition to padded hurdles by the start of the 2026-27 season.
Extremely humbled to be looked after today by FG on this whistle stop tour of Paris racecourses for my 50th birthday. The whole thing grew out of "I think I'll treat myself with a visit to the Diane this year". What lovely people ❤️🇫🇷🏇
Wake up and smell the coffee and stop blaming external factors! Every time I speak to long term Festival goers, they indicate this year will be one of their last. There's something seriously wrong with the current business model. Address it now or fold.
A near on 12 month nightmare for me will be almost eradicated with a tiny pin prick to my upper left arm tomorrow. I can't begin to express the relief I am feeling. Keeping loved ones out of harm's way from a hidden enemy is testing to say the least. Well done science!
Off on my travels over to Aintree later today. It's a journey I've made every single year, spanning the years from being a young man to a middle-aged one now. Got a whole catalogue of Aintree memories stored in my head and I'm looking forward to adding in another set.
#LoveNH
Really pleased Theresa May has extended Brexit until the 31st October to Enable the continued smooth passage of fans going to the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe and back. Thanks T! 🇫🇷🏇
Totally enjoyed today's action at Aintree but seeing Rummy's statue entombed in a music marquee that many don't even know exists is a travesty this year. Free Rummy and make the lawn an open natural lawn again please. 🏇
#Aintree
Spoke with the affable Mark Crehan and his supporting family after his win at Haydock on Friday. 24 hours later Twitter muppets have made him public enemy No.1. To the knockers today... grow a pair! Mistakes happen. I'm sure you've made a couple?
Just had a cracking conversation with Mick Easterby in the little Wetherby sweet shop. Referring to the facemask I quickly popped on, Mick said "You don't wanna bother son, I ain't worn one of those f*ckers yet!". You've got to love Mick 😃
I have a handwritten letter somewhere that I received back John McCririck when I wrote to him as an avid racing viewer in the 1980's- I must have been 12 or 13 years old. It was on CH4 Racing headed paper and I remember being totally made up that he had taken the time to reply.
Just come back from doing my mother's weekly shop. She's currently holding a Stewards Enquiry into a 60p discrepancy on a cooked chicken. I've been hauled before her in the kitchen! 🐔
If I was a JC executive reading through the strength of feeling amongst long time Cheltenham Festival goers that they are well and truly being royally shafted, I'd be very concerned. It appears many will be voting with their feet and spending their cash elsewhere in 2023.
After admittedly being somewhat of an ignoramus after Maxine O'Sullivan won the Cheltenham Foxhunters, I've been doing some research and this single picture has educated me one-hundred fold.
What I love about the Arc is it's international draw. In just the last five minutes I've seen tweets by individuals just setting off to Paris from Dubai, USA and Sweden. In a couple of hours it'll be me setting off from Rochdale. You can't get more international than that!
#QPAT
Missing racing fixtures you've been attending for the last 20 years or so is becoming more mentally challenging as the months go on. Aintree tomorrow is another wound. The only consolation is that we're all in the same boat.
Sat on the train home from Haydock Park with a damp bum. Water has literally seeped into every nook and cranny going. Airing cupboard is gonna take one hell of a hammering tonight I'll tell you. Would I do it all again? Of course I would! 🏇
#fortheloveofracing
Really gutted to come back to the news that the horse with a the heart of a lion, Lil Rockerfeller, passed after many of us had watched him finish second at Auteuil today. (Pic Alan C)
Received a nice message from somebody late last evening who had landed the £614.70 placepot at Bangor yesterday due to perming my blog picks. Really happy for them 👍🏻
Just fluked my very first 100/1 winner in France. No word of a lie, I simply popped a couple of pounds on because I love The Carpenters song "Close To You" 🇫🇷🏇
Was awarded a free £1 bet by a well known online bookmaker yesterday which I placed on Gesskille @ 6/1 at Auteuil. Due to this fantastic half point edge I managed over them, I just received the following laughable email
#getinthebin