At The Races

GORDON'S EYECATCHERS

IT was great to be back at Sedgefield recently after the Co Durham track emerged from its traditional midsummer hibernation and a few horses went into the notebook during an enjoyable afternoon.

First up is Grand Zouki , who fairly romped away with the opener under Barry Keniry. George Moore's charge bolted up on a return from a 115-day absence and he is even more effective at 3m than this sharpish 2m 4f.

Handicapping will be the option now but he should make an exciting chasing one day.

Sang Deng was still going well enough at the time of his exit, he unseated his jockey at the 7th, to suggest he would have played a hand in the finish. He has jumped soundly up until that point and I know connections fancied him to run a big race. He is worth another chance with the Micky Hammond yard in reasonable nick.

That fact was advertised later on when Archie's Wish led late on in the 2m 4f chase and then forged clear to win easily. He obviously loved this switch to fences after a short break and, on this evidence, he appears to have a bright suture at his new discipline.

Having tipped The Magic Bishop to ATR viewers beforehand I was a little miffed when he came home a heavily eased third in the 2m 1f novices' hurdle. I thought Malcolm Jefferson's charge was travelling like a winner at the top of the hill but lack of fitness after a 110-day break soon began to tell and he was allowed to coast home from the last. He's a half-brother to the stable's smart staying hurdler/chaser According To Pete and will surely be winning races when tackling longer distances.

WELL DESERVED ACCOLADE

Congratulations to David Murray who was presented with the Lifetime in Racing Award recognizing his contribution to the sport over the past 37 years at Hamilton Park recently.

Born in Glasgow's Maryhill in 1957, David embarked upon his career in racing with Tommy Craig at Dunbar aged 16 and during his time there David had nearly 60 rides as a jockey but sadly never rode a winner.

In 1989 he teamed up with Michael Bell at Newmarket and the combination has proved successful. David led up Michael's first winner, which also happened to be his first Group winner - Pass the Piece in the Fred Darling Stakes.

In 2010 the Bell yard celebrated its 1,000th winner, with David there for all of them. Other notable horses that he is involved with include the Oaks winning wonder filly Sariska.

David's day begins at 4.30am when he opens up his Racing Post, and starts in the stables at 6.00am where he looks after three horses. Although 53 he rides work most days and still gets the buzz from riding racehorses, despite having suffered a few broken legs along the way.

A lifelong Rangers fan, Hamilton Park racecourse was his regular destination when he was still at school and he is delighted that members of his family can join him to celebrate his achievement.

Vivien Kyles, chief executive of Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: "The Isle of Skye Whisky Owners and Trainers Day is our chance to celebrate the hard work and commitment from owners, trainers and stable staff who travel from across the UK to compete at Hamilton Park throughout the season.

"People like David Murray are the backbone of racing and without him and the others working behind the scenes, there would be no day at the races."