East End Change and the Star Goes for a Fiver

And it's a good morning to all my subjects, waiting for inspirational words from their beloved leader, to help ease them through another day.

All Change at West Ham

Sky Sports are reporting this morning, that irrespective of West Ham's result today at home to Arsenal, manager Avram Grant will be on his way down the job centre afterwards, ready for the impending arrival of Martin O'Neill.

I can imagine that there will be massive celebrations about to take place over in the east end, but I wouldn't be too quick on partying if I were one of you Irons. I have always thought of O'Neill as a bit of a nearly man and he will only stay as long as he gets his own way. I know he was successful at Celtic and did a reasonable job at the Vile, but with the way the Hammer's ownership like to rule the roost, it surely will only be a recipe for disaster in the long term?

King George at Kempton

Today we get the re-running of the Boxing Day highlight after the snow and ice put pay to the race 3 weeks ago. The great equine God that is Kauto Star, goes for his 5th win in the race on the bounce and the only thing stopping him, it seems is himself. Normal pilot Ruby Walsh is injured and the chosen replacement, Noel Fehily also sits on the sidelines, leaving it to the great AP McCoy to steer the Star to glory. Kauto will win so long as he keeps his concentration when jumping; he made a right old mess of last year's Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but I can't see a repeat of that - can I?

Just a quick comment on the 9 conditional jockeys who took the wrong route yesterday in the 1st race at Huntingdon - what a bunch of idiots! All of them have been given hefty suspensions and rightly so, but it does happen with the professionals from time to time as well. Maybe they should all be sent on a map reading course or, better still, how about someone giving me loads of money to develop and produce a jockeys sat-nav system? Am off down the patent office in a minute....

Have had a quick look through the racing cards today and I like NIGHT WITCH in the Lingfield 2.20 She won at Southwell, 4 weeks ago, noticeably with Jimmy Quinn on board who gets the leg-up again today. I just think that his experience had brought the best out of the filly and a raise of 3lbs should not cause too many problems to her. RESULT - Unplaced

When it comes to the jumps at Kempton, I have been keeping an eye on Nick Williams' 6 year old JAMES DE VASSY that runs at 3.35 for a while. Back to 2m5f after trying 3 miles which was too far, he may well get into the frame in this rather big field RESULT - WON at 8/1

Writing News

I have had a historical piece published this week. A short bio entitled Bernardo O'Higgins: Supreme Director of Chile. By all means have a look, if that sort of thing is your bag.

And Finally

It looks a bit damp outside of Tatty Towers this morning, but I suppose we should be used to that by now. Can you imagine how much snow we would have had if it were cold and it was the white stuff as opposed to the wet stuff? The Tatty Hound will not be amused however. Very little chance of her going outside when it rains - she takes a peek and then glances up at you with a "do you really think I'm going out in that?" look on her face.

I was hoping to go out to watch the football this afternoon. Waders v North Greenford United in the Zamaretto League, but travelling up the A1 last night which overlooks the ground, it seemed like a bog down on the pitch. I will be amazed if the fixture survives. Will just have to watch the King George on the telly instead - UPDATE Match now postponed, waterlogged pitch.

Have a good day, Tatty will return soon...

Chairman T