Still reasons to smile

THE first of a couple of incidental joys of watching horse racing on ITV – and I speak as someone who thinks of fashion only as a word found in the dictionary – is admiring the effortlessly stylish elegance of presenter Francesca Cumani, always looking as if, on her way home, she will pop in to see the Queen for tea and a chat.

And I must mention the Irish journalist Orla Chennaoui, who fronts cycle events on Eurosport, and boasts an equally eye-catching line in fashion, but forever looks as if she’s off to a disco party on Copacabana beach. Both women catch the eye at opposite ends of the fashion scale.

Anyway, back with horse racing... Secondly, I am always entertained by the inventive names given to the horses. I fondly remember a horse called Christmas in April, winning in May, which still makes me chuckle. Well, horses have stiff competition from the world of agriculture.

Watching live coverage on S4C of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, even the commentators remarked on the endlessly smiley names of the cattle on show. Indeed, I recall a couple of years or so ago a winning heifer boasting the apt name Miss Wales. However, this year I was rather taken with another winning heifer, blessed with the exceedingly clever and witty name Dam She’s Glam.

Despite the endless doom and gloom there are always things to lift the spirits and generate a smile. Huw Beynon

Llandeilo

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