GORD'S OLD-PAL

Park owner eyes dream double

- by MELISSA JONES

GORDON HALL'S racing ritual is to wear the same pair of socks, kiss a lucky coin and keep his nerves in check with a couple of pints of Guinness.

Many good things come in threes and with two fancied Festival contenders from just ten horses, the owner daren't make any changes.

Hall went from being a racing fan on the sofa to paying six figures for top thoroughbreds, thanks to the success of his construction company TJ Hall. He is now the envy of others with today's Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Old Park Star and Turners fancy Act Of Innocence in his select squad.

"We are in a lucky situation," says Hall, 61, who shares his sporting passion with his wife Su and daughter Elle.