The week that was 17th February - 23rd February

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has read, liked, shared or commented on the blog, I have enjoyed writing it and hope that everyone continues to enjoy reading.


In three weeks time, the greatest show on turf will be upon us and although every race will be hotly contested and many of a high class, it will be difficult for any of them to get the old juices flowing as the Ascot Chase did on Saturday. The grand old war horse Cue Card rolled back the years to his magnificent best, taking up the running with all the va va voom of Thierry Henry in his prime and showing all the athleticism of the great man. Unlike Henry's return to Arsenal there was no happy ending as previous blog winner Waiting Patiently used his younger legs to great use by going past Cue Card on the run in, this was an emotional success for the Jefferson's as trainer Malcolm was laid to rest the previous day.

It wouldn't be a GGG blog without having to write about Bryony Frost, after I finish writing these I will have to send her a present as she keeps making my task much easier by coming up with Saturday winner after Saturday winner, there are many famous duos in history - Del Boy and Rodney, Batman and Robin are just two that spring to mind - after winning for the 8th time this season, Frost and Black Corton are fast becoming another famous duo. I only wish I could back a horse to win once in a season,  never mind managing to ride the same one to win 8 times in a season. Next stop is the RSA Chase at the festival and it will take a brave person to bet against them adding one more famous victory to their tally for the season. Black Corton is co-owned by the infamous Jeremy Kyle - at least if they keep winning  they might not end up on his sofa for a rollicking


The name Regal Encore has always stuck in my head for a few reasons - the main one being that on a stag do in Liverpool in 2013, he let me down for a sizeable sum - I then had to drown my sorrows in Liverpool's finest establishments but that is a story for another time. He once again showed that he has the talent to win good races and if putting all his ability forward could have a big say back in Liverpool for the Grand National.

Speaking of the Grand National, it was the trial for the race at Haydock, being able to find a KFC that is open is easier than having to run 3 and a 1/2 miles around Haydock at this time of year. The Dutchman as expected showed up and was fancied but pulled up injured, my long term Grand national fancy Blaklion ran well enough under a big weight but was only able to finish a distant second in a race that only two horses managed to finish.

The week that was 27th January - 2nd Feb

Cheltenham hosted its annual trials day ahead of the best week of the year in March and as usual threw up a few interesting clues.

Thankfully Jenkins was not running this week so I can breathe easy and can focus on making a fool of myself in other ways.


In the Triumph Hurdle trial it was Apples Shakira who eventually got her hips going and won by 8 lengths on going that would have been unsuitable, there is talk that she might go for the mares novice hurdle instead but "wherever whenever" she turns up, in this punters eyes she is going to be top of the pops.

The north of the country has had a decent few weeks to show its not all grim up here, and Definitly Red continued the trend by winning the Cotswold Chase, his Geordie trainer has always dreamt of winning the Northumberland plate but winning the Gold Cup would ensure that the town would be Definitly painted red!

How does the song go?? here come the girls... well they stole the show on Saturday winning two big races, first arguably the find of the season Bryony Frost - the second woman to win a grade 1 over jumps,  showed all her class on Frodon to sneak up the rail with a great run to win by a street, not to be outdone however was Lizzie Kelly - incidentally the first to win a grade 1 over jumps, came with a great run on Agrapart to win the cleeve hurdle.

I mentioned last week that Toast Of New York was out in California catching a few rays and trying to win millions of dollars - unfortunately nothing seemed to go right for him and he trailed in last - however his trainer has 100% faith he will win another big one, but on this occasion there was no fizz in this toast.