Tanya Stevenson
Sat down amongst the gathered throng of about 40 people down the Kings Road
Sat down amongst the gathered throng of about 40 people down the Kings Road, Chelsea, I thought it was going to be a quite lunch, with great conversation amongst the connections of the William Hill King George protagonists. Not so, first news was drip fed through of Sam Waley-Cohen’s Fakenham ban which ignited the will he or won’t he be able to ride Long Run. As you can imagine sat virtually opposite him, I witnessed his main course become less and less appetising until it was known he was safe.
Then Paul Nicholls and Clive Smith jointly announced that Kauto Star and Master Minded would both run, fabulous news for Kempton, fabulous news for all of us. Lee Mottershead pulled off another blinder as host and question master, surely he is a shoe-in for Broadcaster of the Year in the not too distant future. He brings humour and thought provoking questions to the audience and interviewees a hard balance not many can provide.
I had a great trap draw, David Yates to my left with Lee at the head of the table, Bruce Jackson opposite with Tom Peacock and Robert Waley-Cohen. The conversation glided through various topics from the whip to who would win the King George.
The whole time, though, I could hear the wit and mischievous giggle from John McCririck who was sat on the table behind with his back to me. The Diamond Harry brigade of Paul Duffy and Andrew Mount had that entertainment!
Sheena West endeared herself to us all as we wish Golan Way the best of luck in his quest to grab some glory on Boxing Day. He will certainly set the right pace for Long Run and Kauto Star.
After the lunch naturally drew to a close I walked the mile up the Kings Road luckily without my David Silva shirt on, nor singing “Blue Moon”, no I’m not a Man City supporter but Silva is in the Fantasy Football team. Unbelievably I didn’t see one Man City straggler yet there was an abundance of police officers patrolling nearby stations.
Indulgence time as for the first time ever I hit the shops and Oxford Street, Regent Street and various others, to the extent I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t up the Travelcard fare as I seem to get on every tube line at one time or other in the space of three hours.
Congratulations to the Kiwis for beating Australia, can’t believe it’s the first time since 1985, see how loyal a fan I am!
If the weather and ground deteriorates it is the time to get on POLITICAL PADDY as he likes nothing more than a slog, he came good for me earlier in the year in my hour of need and now I call upon him again in Catterick’s 2.20. DALDINI has run two solid races this season and surely his turn in the winners enclosure is imminent! Sue Smith’s runner likes it soft and is sure to be thereabouts every time he runs, he is out at 1.50.
The lovely owners of Hunt Ball were guests behind the scenes of Channel 4 Racing on Saturday and had high hopes of a hat-trick for the runner in Folkestone’s 2.40 today, good luck to them.
POINTERS
Jimmy Fortune has had seven winners from his last 15 rides
Tim Vaughan and Richard Johnson have a 75% strike rate when they team up at Folkestone
Joe Fanning and Alan Swinbank have a 75% strike rate when they team up at Southwell
Barry McHugh and Brian Ellison have a 38% strike rate when they team up at Southwell
Tim Walford has had four wins and a second from his last seven runners
John Wade has had five winners, a second and a third from his last eight runners
Tim Easterby has had five winners, a second and a third from his last 12 runners
