David Ashforth
@davidjashforth
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ILL BE THERE MV TEASER
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Just been diagnosed with bowel cancer to go with my prostate cancer. I think people should be restricted to one type of cancer at a time.
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Having hip replaced today. Looking forward to it enormously. Can’t wait to have rest of body replaced.
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In case anyone's interested (you never know) my new book - Fifty Shades of Hay. The extraordinary world of racehorse names - comes out on Friday. I hope it's an enjoyable read. If not, it's surprisingly heavy, so probably ideal for swatting flies.
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71 today. It’s fantastic. I’d recommend it to anyone over 80.
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Gai Waterhouse will raise an army of eyebrows here with her assertion, “The whole reason for racing is it’s a gambling industry and it really needs to be promoted that way.”
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Oh well, at least April promises to be my most successful betting month for years.
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Thanks for all your well wishes- hip op went well, already out of bed. Offered to replace my memory next.
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Today is publication day. I suppose I’m telling you in the hope that you’ll buy it and enjoy it.
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It’s very disappointing to see Josephine Gordon, who is a very good jockey, struggling for rides, especially decent ones. I hope things improve for her.
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70 today. Feel a mixture of amazed and appalled. Better book onto one of those mystery coach trips I suppose.
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Thankyou to everyone for your well wishes. It's really cheering.
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Truly awful, terrible things happen to people. For the fortunate rest of us, for all our mainly self-inflcted troubles, we’re lucky. Nurture friendships and try to be kind. That’s what I think.
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To beat the drum again - Josephine Gordon only one not desperately promising ride today but won on it - Brockagh Cailin at 16-1 Bath 5.20. Her ability simply merits more and better rides.
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Felt shocked to read that Paul Haigh has died. I didn't know him well but admired his writing enormously. He was a terrific writer, distinctive, funny, unafraid.
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In case anyone's interested, Lazarus like, I'm resurfacing to write Monday to Thursday pieces on starting Jan 4.
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It's farewell to Ashforth's Angles. Getting harder to think of fresh ideas so best to stop. Thanks if you read them. I'll still be writing.
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Gavin Williamson's crass comments, claiming Britain's superiority to other major nations, is further proof that you can be Secretary of State for Education yet still be stupid.
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Evidently British people are having less sex and putting a date in your diary can help. I’ve put 20 June 2029. I’ll be 80 and it’s important to have something to look forward to.
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Excellent book signing at Ascot. Able to direct several people to toilets.
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No one deserves to say "I told you so" more than Max Hastings, former editor of The Daily Telegraph. He knew exactly what Boris Johnson was like and his predictions were spot on. See
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Good news - Dominic Cummings to leave No 10 by Christmas. He should have been sacked after the ridiculous explanation he gave for his trip to Barnard Castle - taking his wife and child on a roughly 40 mile round trip in order to test his eyesight for a longer drive.
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Just noticed Billy No Mates at Haydock (3.50). A friend used to say “I’m Billy No Mates”. She was troubled and died tragically last year. No one should be without friends. They are the most important thing in life.
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Exciting (for me anyway). A week away from
@MerlinUnwin
publishing my new book. I’m delighted with the quality production with illustrations sponsored by the tote.
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As Simon and Garfunkel rightly said in Old Friends - "How terribly strange to be seventy." Surprised, with cancer, still to be here and can relate physically but mentally - naah! Delusional, I suppose.
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Theresa May is incurably uncomfortable with people outside her own class and seemingly incapable of empathy as well as politically inept.
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You know Brighton's racing again because in the last race, a 0-60 handicap, the favourite (Rhyme Scheme) has a record of 0-14 and the second favourite (Saucy Encore) one of 0-16.
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Eton educated politicians, including David Cameron, Boris Johnson and the woeful Jacob Rees-Mogg, share a sense of entitlement, superiority and an inflated opinion of their own ability. Parliament needs to be more representative of British society.
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Vaccination next week. Good, it gives me time to decide which arm to have it in.
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One of the stars of the just retired Eric Alston's stable, Tedburrow, is still with Eric. The winner of 21 races from 92 starts between 1994 and 2004, including three G3s and five Listed races, Tedburrow is now 30. Wonderful.
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A lovely feature in today’s Racing Post about Saeed Bin Suroor. When he first arrived from Dubai he didn’t always receive kindness but he is one of the nicest people in racing and has endured.
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Today it is 4 months since I was due to have a hip replaced. It has deteriorated considerably. The hospital still hasn't restarted elective surgery and doesn't know when it will. There must be thousands of people in similar situations.
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The irony of traditional Labour supporters voting with the far right - to the applause of far right parties across Europe.
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Look on the bright side. If events with more than 500 people have to be behind closed doors, all-weather fixtures won’t be affected.
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Just emerged from gym. Pretty amazing that I went in, quite surprised that I came out.
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Any credit Mitch McConnell deserves for finally opposing Trump is nothing compared to the ignominy he deserves for having facilitated Trump's behaviour over the past four years.
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A major reason why people become alienated from politics and politicians. Principles and recent strongly stated views are so blithely abandoned in favour of self-interest and personal ambition.
They really won’t want you retweeting this video monument to their hypocrisy....
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According to The Times, the Queen “has for a decade received annual gifts of horses from Sheikh Mohammed and also uses his stud services.” Extraordinary.
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From Tuesday face masks will be mandatory - a legal requirement - in shops. The Co-op says "It's not our place to enforce face coverings or to refuse to serve a customer who chooses not to wear one." That is staggeringly irresponsible.
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Sometime, fairly urgently, can an investigation be launched into why the overall quality of MPs is so low and how to attract more able ones?
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The harsh truth is that talking about your cancer can get boring. I try not to in case I bore myself and everyone else to a premature death, although Dr Glum, my oncologist, is always good for a laugh.
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The extensive coverage given to Harry and Meghan compared with other - apparently relatively minor matters, such as hospital waiting lists and Iran - is ridiculous . There’s probably a better word (obscene?) but I can’t think of it.
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Book launch for Fifty Shades Of Hay at Waterstones in Cirencester tonight. Not sure what the point of proclaiming this is but it shows I'm making an effort.
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The trade deal will be hailed as a triumph despite a) a deal was inevitable given that no deal was in neither party’s interests b) we had a much better deal as an EU member.
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A lovely ride by Wayne Hutchinson on the keen going Tiffin Top. Hutchinson hasn’t got a high profile but he’s both capable and dependable. One of my favourite jockeys.
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At the Velka Pardubicka. Massively changed since last came decades ago. Big new stands, much bigger crowd, big market, course looks in great nick.Obviously still several Josef Vanas.
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If anyone's interested, from today I'll be writing three midweek columns for I'm looking forward to it, probably more than you are.
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Off to Brighton today. Six Class 6s and a Class 5. Still, I expect there'll be seven winners.
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Signing copies of
#FiftyShadesOfHay
at Ascot tomorrow. Come and say hello and help combat loneliness among the elderly.
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Off to Wolverhampton Grab-a-Granding. If you’re riding something I’ve backed please try not to cock it up.
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The one good thing about Liz Truss (there is only one) is that her election would improve Labour’s chance of winning the next General Election.
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Disappointing to see how far in newspapers' pecking order the Derby has fallen but resurrecting the suggestion that it be moved back to Wednesday overlooks the fact that its declining popularity was what prompted the change. Sadly, it no longer engages the public as it once did.
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Off to
@ChesterRaces
for the launch of my book Ashforth’s Curiosities of Horseracing. Do come and say hello to avoid me feeling lonely and getting depressed.
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Spam is fantastic. Already today an Asian lovely wants to be in bed with me and another just wants sex. Not bad when you’re 70. What’s not to like?
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The BBC puts the revelation that Harry cried only once after his mother’s death ahead of the latest developments on the NHS. Words (almost) fail me.
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UK government statement re its response to coronavirus - “we have taken the right steps at the right time”. This strategy of denial and refusal to acknowledge mistakes is so alienating.
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It seems that over 65 million people in UK have forgotten to buy
#fiftyshadesofhay
What’s the point of me writing it if you don’t buy it?
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I wish the government would hurry up and order everyone over 70 to stay at home and just watch racing on the telly while armed with crisps, nuts and wine. Bliss.
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@brucemillington
@leemottershead
Lee is a fine person as well as a fine journalist. On this occasion I disagree with him but opinions should be debated using reasoned arguments. Abuse doesn't count, nor do abusers.
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Prince Andrew displays the unattractive combination of stupidity and arrogance. Maybe he’ll have a pizza named after him, a thick one.
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We elect professionals to master the issues and make evidence based decisions. In 2016 the government says, it’s too difficult for us. Let’s go to the supermarket and go with what Albert and Gladys think. Crazy.
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@RacingPost
Strongly encourage racecourse managers to experience all that a racegoer might encounter and consider what their reaction might be, with a view to improving customers' experience. There is plenty of scope for improvements, not all of it expensive.
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Self-promotion’s all the rage so if you haven’t got anything better to do (I expect you have) I’ve done my best with a column in today’s Racing Post.
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I'd like to see a pie chart (or similar) showing the portions of time (tv) and space (print and online) devoted to the Harry/Meghan saga, the shooting down of the Ukrainean aircraft, the Australian bush fire disaster, et al. A depressing order of priorities.
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If you’re going to Ascot tomorrow or Saturday come to the book signing table in the centre, ground floor of the airport terminal and say hello. It’ll help stave off loneliness.
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Tomorrow I think I’ll stick my head in the sand and when I take it out hope that sanity’s returned and we’re back in the EU. Also plan to avoid 50p pieces.
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Roy Rocket day at Brighton. Goodee! Going, fine. Handicap mark, risen but manageable. Pace of race - potentially a problem as only four runners and may not be much pace. What a lovely story it is and in John Berry the ideal story maker.
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Observer’s Sport section, 20 pages, 8 sports, no horseracing apart from tips. Sunday Telegraph Sport section 12 pages, 6 sports, no horseracing beyond basic cards and results (for how much longer?). It’s concerning.
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Mabs Cross is one of my favourite horses (be nice to see her over 6 furlongs). Paul Mulrennan’s response to losing the ride is commendably dignified but disappointing that owner David Armstrong decided to.
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It's Punchestown - but enough of that. At Brighton it's Roy Rocket.
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At my age I suppose I should be flattered to be chatted up in a Brighton bar but did it have to be by a gay 80 year old? Still, it's a start
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Thinking of writing a blog about what it’s like to be 70. Christ, it’s almost nine o’clock, bedtime.
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Priti Patel. Question Time Sept 2011 "I would actually support the reintroduction of capital punishment." Andrew Marr Show Sept 2019 "I've never in my time as a Member of Parliament been an advocate at all of that." She was an MP in 2011. Enough said.
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Whenever I see the odious Nigel Farage I want to use a word one shouldn’t - except when you see Nigel Farage. Hearing him is even worse.
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I hope we're soon going to see a feature about Sheila Lewis and Katie Powell in the Racing Post, or elsewhere. Lewis a run of 5-5, Powell 2-2.
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You know that message, "We are experiencing unprecedently high volumes of calls"? How long does the message have to persist before 'unprecedented' is the wrong word?
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The PM’s “whatever happens the UK will do very very well” is very Trumpian. The UK will not do very well and will do especially badly if there’s no deal.
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Mrs Merton debuts 1.30 Goodwood. Creator, writer, actress Caroline Aherne was so talented, wonderfully funny but had a troubled life - depression, booze and not one cancer but three. She died 2016 aged 52. Hope horse is good.
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Almost all writing can be improved by reducing its length.
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I know it’s self-publicising and probably deserving of a black mark but Amazon is no longer out of stock of my Ashforth’s Curiosities of Horseracing. It’s got a great cover and if you’re skint dm me and I may give you one.
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The tale of Joe ‘Mincemeat’ Griffin in today’s Racing Post is one of many engaging (I hope) stories in my forthcoming book. Ashforth’s Curiosities of Horseracing. To reserve a copy from publisher Merlin Unwin Books phone 01584 877456.
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If the PM spent less time indulging in photo-opportunities (today planing a piece of wood in a factory) and more time working he might know what his own government’s pandemic policy was.
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So excited. Doncaster Rovers have won last 8 games and I’m going to see them for first time in almost 50 years. I don’t suppose many of the players will be the same.
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In a shameless plug for Fifty Shades of Hay (I suppose it's got to be done), today's best and worst racehorse names. The Gatting Ball (Hard Spun - Art Of Deception) and The Slug (Tamayaz - Snow Huntress). More for the next few days, perhaps, until we all get fed up of it.
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Has there ever been a more incompetent Labour Party leader than Corbyn? He thinks leadership is about listening then carrying “the Movement” with you. He’ll campaign for Remain in a referendum but for either Brexit or Remain in General Election. I’ve lost hope.
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The wonderful Josephine Abercrombie, five times married ditto divorced, ex-boxing promoter, owner of that smashing big grey Hasten To Add is 93 today. As she once told me, “It’s better than the alternative.” Happy Birthday.
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On Radio 4’s Today programme Grant Shapps relentlessly avoided answering whether or not the government believed it was possible for over 1 million people to move from north to south Gaza in 24 hours. This shameless evasiveness contributes to alienation from politicians.
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Josephine Gordon has first ride for Sir Mark Prescott (Road To Paris 5.10 Leicester). That is something. My advice - just ride to instructions!
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Love that a single mother- probably not flush - won £246,000 on a completely barmy multiple bet yesterday. And we analyse it to death.
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Just noticed on the Racing Post website there's the first episode of a four-part short story I wrote 10 years ago; Lord Luckan's Luck. That's made my day (I'm easily pleased).
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Exceptional must read article by Kate Tracey in Racing Post. There are some truly horrible people out there. Keep going Ciaran.
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Boris Johnson clearly thinks that leadership means devoting his time to photo-opportunities. A charlatan.
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Not only been to the gym but did a few things when there. The best bit, obviously, is being able to say “just been to the gym.”
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Just tested positive for Covid. There’s always something isn’t there? It’s only last week I scratched my ankle.
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@campbellclaret
@lecrin
@BorisJohnson
@MattHancock
I wasn't a fan of Campbell's during the Blair years but he is a telling voice today. The government's incompetence is bad enough but ministers' self-interested reactions to situations that cry out for honesty, decency and principled behaviour is equally depressing.
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Surprised by Steve Cauthen's defence of Soumillon's use of whip on Thunder Snow. Cauthen was a great jockey and in Britain used the whip conspicuously sparingly.
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Delighted that Coral have chosen Prostate Cancer UK as its charity partner for 3 years. It’s an excellent charity that does great, valuable work.
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