It was great to play in as well. Great mixture of style and skill levels! Also a lot of chat and banter on the table making it a very sociable experience. For some people that's an important part of why they play the game.

   Thought you recovered really well from that early hit.Its easy to be 'in control' when you are winning but to take such a hit so early in such a game ( live stream etc) takes a bit of resilience. Thought you played really well after that and to come out ahead was well deserved.

     So here we go.Bingo has been declared for tomorrow's race alongside 10 others. We are finally running. I am the only member of our 5 Way syndicate able to attend so will obviously preten I am the sole owner.
       It's a maiden hurdle so nothing in this field has won before ( over hurdles) but there looks to be a couple of good horses in the race.

OO Seven.         Nicky Henderson trained Horse,supposed to be pretty smart,well placed in a decent bumpers at Cheltenham
                           in March.The probable favorite and winner.

Bilzic.                  Dan Skelton trained. Decent form in flat races.


Bleu et Noir.        Tim Vaughan trained,recently came 4rh in its debut over hurdles.


                  What our trainer has said is that the objectives of this run out is;
                         1) the horse has an enjoyable experience.
                         2) that he travels and jumps well.

                         3) that we finish the race galloping.
                   Jockey has been instructed to keep these objectives in mind. Expect odds of about 16/1 and maybe worth an each way bet. I intend to have breakfast at DTD in the morning,play some early morning cash and then head off to Huntingdon about 10am. Just think when he wins the Gold Cup at Cheltenham you'll be flicking back to this post and reflecting how you read about Bingo first on Blonde.


 

     Pleased to report that Bingo is good to go on Saturday in the 1.05 at Huntingdon. More details later and hopefully even some photographs on the day. It all about a good experience on the day ( the travelling etc) and getting round in one piece and jumping well. That and winning.

    Unbelievable that Ian Ritchie hasn't fallen on his sword as well. Also has anyone seen Rob Andrew ?   RFU Gravy train I am afraid.I don't blame Sam for clearing off.

   Just seen this. Good luck Thewy in the world of mainstream work. I think you will enjoy poker again when it's a leisure activity rather than the main income.

    That's a really hard one Tal. I am pretty lucky in that I have eaten at some great places and it's often more the company and ambience rather than the actual food that I recall. In terms of location AND food one of my favorite places is the Restaurant Terrazza at the Hotel Danieli in Venice. It's a rooftop terrace overlooking the lagoon in Venice and to eat there as evening turns to night is simply magical.(The Bellini's are far better than at the over hyped Harry's Bar and the location a million times better.)
   Another great place is La Marmite up a mountain just outside St Moritz. Again it's the location and views as much as the food.Finally if you are going global the Cafe des Arts in Mauritius in a brilliant place to eat simply because you are surrounded by works of art ( Picasso's etc).
     In London I love the atmosphere of Langans even though the food is average, Scott's is great for sea food and buzz,Le Gavroche is pretty special.
    If I could eat anywhere today it would be at The Beach House Cafe on South Milton Sands in Devon. There's a lot of snobbery associated with restaurants and I personally hate the pretentious nature of everything associated with it.Although these selections are incredibly pretentious in relation to location :-) they are not in terms of food.
    A good curry with a great group of mates is as enjoyable as an over hyped meal in a so called high end Michelin snob house. That being said the chicken and mushroom pies at Hillsborough are not to be recommended whoever you are with.

    The boy and I agreed it would be silly to compound the disappointment.

       Minor Setback.

   Apparently Bingo has "spread a plate" and trodden on a stone....the result is a small bruise on his foot and he's sore. The result is he won't be declared for tomorrow's race and of course won't therefore run. Current thinking is to go back to Huntingdon on Saturday 21st November. So there you go,just when the excitement was reaching a fever pitch we may have to wait a few more days for the UK debut of this fine steed.

   Wednesday!

       Yes Wesnesday are filling us all with hope. The new manager seems a top guy,good signings,good vibe etc A little like you are experiencing at Leicester! Mind you, 'I can cope with the disappointment,it's the hope that kills me'

     That will do for the first run out. It's more about the whole experience for a novice. He has actually run once in France and came a strong second to an even stronger experienced horse so we know he knows how to race and jump and get round a course. However he is recovering from an injury......The trainer apparently thinks we have a live one but apparently that's what trainers always say to new owners. Well,to any owners I imagine. One of the co owners first horse was Katchit which went on to be a Triumph Hurdle winner at Cheltenham so hopefully we can have a bit of run good.....

       At last. Next Tuesday at Huntingdon sees the UK debut of Bingo D'Olivate in the 1.10pm. It's a novice hurdle race and Noel Williams expects James Banks will ride. It's a first UK run out after a year of recovery and the aim is a gentle run out and not to get to knocked about. Huntingdon should and will attract some decent horses and it will be a good yardstick to see what we have got. I share ownership with 5 others and the slightest hint of success could see the start of another ridiculous obsession. Unfortunately I am holed up in London so will be watching it in a bookies with the boy and we hope to follow the race with drinks and lunch at Quaglinos. ( well if you cannot be there you have to overcompensate).
         

  Good luck,run well. Maybe see you later in the week if I can escape the machine.

     Living in a flat with a view of the sky lets you appreciate the changing sky. Normally at ground level in a city we are oblivious. It's like going to the country at night,you sometimes see stars!