Weekend Jottings

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Haydock and Taunton as well as an all-weather flat card from Lingfield.  David has three runners at Haydock; Three Star General, Druide Premier and Dell' Arca.  Three Star General contests the 2m3f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 12.20pm and is the mount of Bryony Frost.  He has reached the frame on his last couple of starts and looks to have place claims once again, especially with his in-form jockey on board.  Druide Premier runs in the NH novices' hurdle at 1.25pm and this looks to be a highly competitive race with some very promising opponents in the line-up.  Druide has reached the frame on three occasions thus far, but probably needs to improve further if he is to win today.  Dell' Arca (pictured above) carries top weight in the 3m3½f handicap chase at 2.00pm - he stays well, and will love the ground.  He has to give plenty of weight away but you can never discount him.

Over at Taunton, Percy Street makes a quick reappearance in the 2m handicap hurdle at 2.20pm having finished runner-up at Leicester on Thursday.  A course and distance winner last year, he runs from the same mark as on Thursday and providing the race does not come too soon for him, he should go well once again under David Noonan.  Martabot runs in the 2m3f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 3.55pm and he will be partnered by Kieron Edgar.  He ran his best race for some time when second at Exeter last time and has prospects again from a 3lbs higher mark.  On the whole it is a tricky day, although we have a few fair chances so hopefully there will be a winner or two among them.

Jockey Kielan Woods had a festive period that he will never forget.  Fancy going to propose to your girlfriend and forgetting the ring!  Not only that, when he did remember the ring it didn't fit!  It's a good job that Christy said 'yes'!

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Cricketer Ben Stokes has been getting needle again.  No, he hasn't been fighting - he has been getting an elaborate tattoo on his back in the Bell at Stow On The Wold.  He has had four lions, plus his wife and two children.  It took 28 hours - I have never been too keen on tattoos, but imagine being under the needle for 28 hours!

There are four Premier League matches taking place this afternoon.  Manchester United should continue their winning ways against Bournemouth, while City have to win again Southampton.  Chelsea should win at Crystal Palace, while my beloved Hammers are away to Burnley.  It looks like a United, City and Chelsea treble to me.

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Why do horses only wear shoes?  Because they would look silly with socks on!

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