Weekend Jottings!

There are two meetings taking place today and it is good news if you are a fan of the jumps as both Exeter and Uttoxeter host action over the sticks.  David has a couple of runners at Exeter in Houston Dynimo and Ikrapol.  The ground at Exeter is officially heavy and it is a testing track at the best of times so it will take some getting and I would imagine there will be quite a few horses finishing tired.  Houston Dynimo was a winner at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago on very soft ground and is partnered by winning jockey, leading amateur David Noonan who takes a handy 7lbs off his back.  Let's hope he runs well...he is owned by Sue, the cake lady!

Ikrapol is having his first start of the season and his first on these shores since joining the stable from France.  He had some decent placed form over hurdles in France and will be partnered today by Daryl Holland.  Exeter is at the top of Haldon Hill and it is very exposed up there so make sure you wrap up warm if you are venturing out!

I see there is a trainer today that goes by the name of Katy Price - I bet her horses are always up front...there must be a joke in there somewhere, I just can't put my finger on it!

Motor mouth Matt Chapman has been getting some (well warranted) stick after saying 'Faugheen The Machine' would win in Ireland last weekend.  Chapman said the reigning Champion Hurdler was "unbelievable, unstoppable, undefeated"...that was before the race - some judge Matt!  Anyway, don't give up on Faugheen - he still looks by far the likeliest winner of the 2016 Champion Hurdler come March.

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There is only one place I will be this afternoon and that is in front of the television as Spurs take on my beloved West Ham at 4pm.  Come on you Hammers!

Andy Murray is going to have to pick himself up from his latest defeat to be ready in time for Great Britain's Davis Cup Final in Ghent, Belgium.  I cannot even name a Belgian tennis player so Murray should win his two singles matches and then it will just be a case of winning a doubles match-up which should be exciting!

I see that two of the Russian athletes recommended for lifetime bans have vowed to sue the German television channel that aired incriminating evidence against them.  They were caught discussing their use of banned drugs in a secret recording which was leaked to a German TV company.  I don't think I would like to be defending them.

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What does Prince Philip wear on his hernia?  The National Truss!

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