Chepstow,Newcastle Runners

Although not busy in terms of quantity there is plenty of quality among the four meetings today with jumps action from Chepstow, Kempton and Newcastle as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Lingfield.  The stable has runners at Chepstow and Newcastle and stable jockey Tom Scudamore has elected to go to the Welsh track where he partners Brook and Kings Palace (picture above) who reverts to hurdles today in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier.  Meanwhile, also in the qualifier Conor O'Farrell is aboard Batavir and conditional jockey Michael Heard comes in for the ride aboard Gevrey Chambertin.  Up at Newcastle David Noonan has picked up a couple of nice mounts in Heath Hunter and Cork Citizen (who contests the Eider Chase) they both have decent form and could run big races.

Poole Master finished fifth in the competitive handicap chase at Warwick earning himself a bit of prize money, but even so a handicap mark of 138 continues to look harsh and he will remain vulnerable until dropping in the weights.  Over at Exeter Baraka de Thaix ran well for a long way until a combination of ground and the longer trip seemed to find him out in the home straight.  He certainly looks capable of winning something similar over slightly shorter on a less testing track.

I see that Gold Cup hope Cue Card is set to gallop today before racing at Kempton along with a few other Cheltenham possibles.  It is just to sharpen them up and blow away a few cobwebs (if they have any) so get there early.

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The early kick off is between West Ham and Sunderland and I hope that the fans give "Big Sam" a good welcome back to Upton Park...having said that I still want them to pick up 3 points!  I will be backing the mighty Hammers at 17/20 along with Leicester at 4/7 and Stoke at 8/11...a little treble to keep me interested!

There is a fascinating Europa League match in the offing between Liverpool and Manchester United - it will be interesting to see who wants it more by fielding a strong team!  Meanwhile Spurs take on Borussia Dortmund so there are actually two exciting matches to look forward to!  The teams with the biggest squads should win.

There is a big fight taking place tonight between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg.  Frampton is a best priced 5/8 although I don't think I will be rushing in to back him - Quigg has won 23 of his fights by knock out so he is the heavy puncher of the pair and a puncher always has a chance.

*****

What do you get if you cross an elephant with a box of laxatives?  Out of the way!

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