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Tanya's Blog - 5th January 2012

Finally washed my hands of 2011 and a long losing streak at Cheltenham on Monday courtesy of Houblon Des Obeaux. A hard fought victory but it was a winner. I’ve allowed myself a couple of days to metaphorically brush myself down, take stock and contemplate many thoughts, ideas and changes.

The biggest change so far is that I’ve even picked up a “sponsor’s exemption” and taken my first tentative steps back on the PGA Tour golf punting driving range. Hawaii is an ideal yardstick and launch pad of things to come throughout the season. Stuart Appleby always served me well at this time of year; he knew how to win this tournament.

It’s a few years since I took golf punting seriously so I expect to be very, very rusty, but it will be fun honing the skills again. Mark Wilson is entrusted with my return to the tour, he has form in Hawaii, but with me on him, it might be like having 15 clubs in the bag, I’m not expecting too much but it’s just a way of concentrating the mind.

“The Alps” doesn’t come close to the mountain range of work on the desk yesterday. Although up to date as of New Year’s Eve, Alastair Down’s feature on Jump Racing’s Greatest Achievers incited many responses leaving the inbox full to bursting. Then yesterday was the first of many meetings re ideas for the Cheltenham Festival, signifying the hamster wheel of chores starting to grind in motion!

JUDICIARY had an entry in Saturday’s Tolworth at Sandown but instead goes on a long journey to Sedgefield. Even conceding weight he can sneak the 12.40 before the quest for winning races gets impossible. KING O’THE GYPSIES is going to be part of my portfolio also.

Glad to see Lingfield on and the strong winds blowing will make the ground very, very sticky and holding. Heavy won’t come close. Fingers crossed for Current Climate but with the ground so testing I wouldn’t want to be on anything at the Surrey venue.

The Dubai Carnival at Meydan starts today live on . ZERO MONEY lines up in the 4.20 - I thought he was the new Genki and after his win at Haydock he can reaffirm those thoughts over five furlongs as perhaps it was a bit ambitious thinking he could win the Portland. Although the Portland winner Nocturnal Affair does make the field.

POINTERS

Ian Williams has had five winners and two thirds from his last 11 runners and he has a runner at Ludlow and Wolverhampton this afternoon

Venetia Williams has had five winners and two seconds from her last 17 runners

Jeremy Noseda has had seven winners from his last 21 runners at Wolverhampton

Andrew Tinkler has had five winners and two seconds from his last 11 rides

Andrew Tinkler and Nicky Henderson have teamed up for four winners and two seconds from his last 7 runners

Richie McGrath has had seven winners, two seconds and a third from his last 21 rides