Wednesday 16th September

We can't start without passing on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the great Irish Jockey Pat Smullen who passed away yesterday aged 43 after a brace battle against pancreatic Cancer. A great Jockey whose abilities were highly regarded worldwide and a thoroughly decent man out of the saddle too. RIP Pat, the Racing world is definitely poorer without you.
 
The actual Racing is moderate quality today, a lot of same age 2 and 3 year old Races on the Flat in the UK and Ireland, and just the one that pops off the page a little bit up at Kelso. 
 
When Stuart Colthard won back to back races at 14/1 and 28/1 at Hexham yesterday, one for his dad Stuart, we had high hopes for a big priced winner in the 4.40 at Hexham. Unfortunately though David John faltered two out and faded rather tamely after that and Short Flight, who looked threatening in coming into contention at the same point, failed to go through with its challenge. So no repeat of the excellent 1-2 on Saturday at 16 and 14/1 SP for Robin, but plenty to come as the NH season starts to ramp up in the coming weeks.