We went to Ipswich for the game against Derby and missed all the excitement that unfolded on Saturday afternoon with the Tote Scoop 6. I recorded all of the afternoon racing on my Sky+ box and ploughed through it on Saturday evening. The climax was great and good luck to the lucky ticket holders who can now chase a bonus of around £1.5 millon this coming Saturday. It is quite likely the Tote will choose the Hennessy at Newbury as the bonus race in which to find the winner. This years Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Handicap Chase looks very open and hard to solve.

The fall of Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock was a shock. He looked as though he was struggling at the time and was clearly not at his best

Nicky Henderson has his horses in tremendous form and the winners keep coming since old Caracciola (pictured) won the Cesarewitch on the flat at Newmarket in October. I see he is entered in the Toteswinger Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday, but he has shown all his best form on good going and I cannot see him getting anywhere near Inglis Drever or Blazing Bailey on softish ground. More of the Hennessy meeting ,which we will miss, later in the week.

Ipswich have another home game against Sheffield United this Saturday so we will be there to cheer them on. For the first time this season the balance in the side looked good against Derby. No square pegs in round holes. Tonight (Tuesday) they travel to Birmingham. I hope the manager, Jim Magilton, keeps much the same side. It will be a good test.

For the runners and riders for Newbury this Saturday click on the sporting life.