Cheltenham Runners

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Cheltenham and Taunton while there is flat action from Newmarket, Ripon and Lingfield. David runs Mr Clarkson and Father Edward at Cheltenham as well as Three Star General in the charity race. Mr Clarkson (pictured above) has been a superstar for his owners the Pipe's Prospectors an he contests the tight little three mile handicap hurdle at 4.20pm - our five year old steps up in trip having stayed on well over 2m4f at Sedgefield last time. He was second to Finian's Oscar over three miles in an Irish point-to-point so hopefully this will be within his compass. David Noonan has been aboard for all four of his successes and he keeps the ride today.

Father Edward goes in the novices' handicap chase over 3m1f at 4.55pm.  He was a winner first time out this season at Cartmel but has been largely disappointing since although he caught my eye staying on from the back to finish ninth over the National fences in the Topham Chase having been impeded twice early on.

Three Star General contests the charity race over 1m5f at 6.15pm - he was an encouraging fourth at Ascot on his hurdling debut for the yard and he will be partnered by soldier Ben Moore who used to be a conditional jockey at Pond House when Martin was training.  I remember his winning at Haydock in 1996 aboard a cracking little mare called Out Ranking.  Let's hope Ben can remember back that far!

Starchitect finished fifth at Cheltenham yesterday and was not beaten at all far but he just looked a little flat.  Perhaps his exertions at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals were just beginning to tell?  It sounds as though I am talking through my pocket!

It was literally hot stuff at Cheltenham yesterday!  A hot pizza oven set the alarm system off and it could not be turned off for 50 minutes...I think the pizza must have been well done!

*****

I see that tennis legend Serena Williams is expecting her first child so it could be game, set and match for her career.  She won the Australian Open in January when she was already eight weeks' pregnant.  She says she will be back playing in 2018 and who am I to argue?  I guess we shall just have to wait and see...

Mancheseter United take on Anderlecht tonight at 7.45pm on BT Sport and United should emerge victorious although they are too short to back.  A win will put them in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Harry Redknapp's new position at Birmingham City means that he will no longer be available to knock AP McCoy's side into shape for their charity football match at Cheltenham tonight.  I am no expert but I reckon 'Arry would have needed the whole season to get AP's team fit and looking like they could play football!

One of the pre-tournament favourites Judd Trump lost in the first round of the world championship snooker yesterday.  There is a big match to look forward to today as former champions Sean Murphy and Ronnie O'Sullivan clash - normally the Rocket beats Murphy but this could be a bit spicy with Ronnie complaining the sport's governing body is bullying him.  Murphy has said that this is nonsense so it could get interesting!

*****

I was riding in a horse race last week when I was hit by an apple seed - I was pipped at the post!

Tweet