6 Runners!

    King's Socks (nearside) Runs Today

There are five meetings today with the feature at Cheltenham and also racing at Uttoxeter and Wetherby over jumps and flat cards at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  David has five runners at Cheltenham and one at Uttoxeter.  Daklondike is the first runner of the day in the 1.50pm at Cheltenham, a 3m3f handicap chase.  This is a very competitve race and Daklondike is having his first run of the season.  He has won two of his last three starts and pulled up at Punchetown on his last start after making a bad mistake when just moving into contention.  He would probably have preferred a bit more rain and he is a big price in the Racing Post.  He has small each way claims with Tom Scu in the saddle.  King's Socks runs in the big race of the day, the 2.25pm Betvictor Gold Cup.  He only carries 10st 4lb and he ran a very good race at the Festival back in March.  He has high class French form, he is in good form at home and we are hopeful of a good run.  Eamon An Cnoic also runs in this race and although a big price he would not be without an each way chance.  He ran a great race at the Festival before he did not last out the 3m1f trip and a similar run would see him be competitive this afternoon with David Noonan on board.

David runs two in the 3pm handicap hurdle, Dell'arca and Vieux Lion Rouge.  Dell'arca carries top weight and David Noonan rides.  Although it was not such a great effort last time over fences he has been in fantastic form all summer winner over on the flat and over hurdles and is a firmly a Pond House favourite.  He is probably weighted up to his best and has it all to do this afternoon but he always gives his best which is all you can ask.  Vieux Lion Rouge also runs in the same race with Tom Scu on board.  This is his first run back since finishing ninth in the Grand National and it is his first run over hurdles for a long time.  His handicap mark has slowly come down and although he would also prefer softer conditions hopefully he can run well and he heads to the Becher Chase next.  They tell me the Ian Williams trained First Assignment is well fancied for this.

Umbrigado runs in the 3.40pm Bumper at Uttoxeter.  He has finished second in an Irish Point to Point and is a lovely big chasing type for the future.  He works well at home and Nick Scholfield rides.

It is hard to believe that Champion jockey Richard Johnson has had 15 rides in the Betvictor Gold Cup but has never won the race.  This afternoon he is on board the Colin Tizzard trained West Approach.

In the football today, Scotland play away to Albania in the National League.  Surely the jocks can beat them?  You can back them at 6/4, mind you I am still not sure I would want to travel to Albania!  Azebajan are 15/8 to beat the Faroe Islands.

In the cricket, Sri Lanka are struggling in their second innings against England.  I think we will win and take the series to 2-0.

I went to a far Eastern Shining.  It was a Cantonese-up!