Taunton, W'hampton Runners

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Taunton and Wetherby as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Wolverhampton.  David runs Airton and Ourmullion at Taunton and Picture Painter on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.  Airton and Ourmullion both contest the 2m½f novices' hurdle at 2.40pm.  Airton, a decent stayer on the flat makes his hurdling debut this afternoon and has schooled well at home - he could have place claims at odds of around 10/1 under Tom Scudamore although I would imagine that he may want more of a test of stamina in time.  Ourmullion needs to improve on what he has shown in two efforts to date with David Noonan on board.  Picture Painter contests the 1m4f amateur riders flat handicap at 5.30pm and he looks to have a decent chance based on his most recent effort when third on this course over two furlongs further.  The form has been franked by the winner scoring again since and he should go well under Fergus Gillard.

New Age Dawning produced a creditable first effort over hurdles when runner-up at Lingfield yesterday behind the odds-on favourite.  He jumped and stayed well and this former Irish pointer may require more of a test of stamina in time.  A great big horse, he looks like a nice staying chaser in the making.

I see that our old friend Gino has sold his share in former SunAlliance Chase winner Blaklion.  The horse now heads north to Philip Kirby and the aim will be the Grand National for which he is a 50/1 chance.  The new owner is Darren Yates who won £550,000 on Frankie Dettori's Magnificent Seven all those years ago at Ascot.  He won the life changing amount for his £50 bet on Frankie's winners.

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I have been in great form with my football bets of late and I hope a few of you joined me in backing Manchester United as they beat Chelsea 2-0 last night.  Chelsea didn't seem to have any idea how to break United down and I can see why Hazard wants to leave Chelsea.  He still looks to be the best player on the pitch but he is not getting much help.  As soon as Chelsea get a new manager they will be looking to acquire at least three new defenders - they look terrible at the back.  Meanwhile, Liverpool play Bayern Munich tonight and the Scousers are 17/14 and that looks worth a wager to me.

I was watching the testing for the new Formula One cars yesterday (I know!) and I thought that Lewis Hamilton looked to have come back a lot heavier.  His Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said, "Lewis has come back stronger and more muscular than before".  Let's hope the good life isn't starting to catch up with the world champion!

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Where do you buy ancient elephants?  At a mammoth sale!  Keep smiling...

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