Umbrigado Impresses

The fog came down at Exeter yesterday making it very difficult to see, especially the final three races on the card.  Even so, Umbrigado shone out like a beacon in winning the NH novices' hurdle and is now unbeaten in three starts under rules and looks like a very nice prospect in the making.  He was cantering two out and stayed on well to win cosily despite still showing signs of inexperience.  He won't head to Cheltenham this year, but it is not difficult to see him ending up there in the future if he maintains this progression.  Poker Play ran much better, finishing runner-up in the Pertemps qualifier, only giving way in the final 75 yards and his turn near.

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Kempton, Newcastle and Chepstow supported by a couple of all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  The stable has three runners today courtesy of Daklondike, Little Red Lion and Eamon An Cnoic.  Daklondike runs in the Eider Chase at 2.40pm, a 4m½f handicap chase and it will provide a thorough test of stamina.  Our seven year old is a very good horse on his day and hence has top weight of 11-12 to contend with.  Stamina is his long suit so he should be doing all his best work in the closing stages, although he does seem to be at his best on a very testing surface and the biggest concern will be whether the good/soft ground will be soft enough for his liking.  He is Tom Scudamore's only ride of the day so let's hope that he makes the long trip worthwhile.

Over at Chepstow we run Little Red Lion in the 2m3½f maiden hurdle at 2.30pm.  He has had one run to date, showing distinct promise to finish runner-up in a Ffos Las bumper on heavy ground.  This looks like a hot race of it's type with some promising types in opposition.  Even so, he looks to have a small each way chance at odds of around 16/1 under David Noonan.  Eamon An Cnoic contests the 2m handicap chase at 4.15pm.  Our eight year old has some good form in the book and has won from a mark 3lbs higher than this in the past so on his best form he would go very close, although he is another who might just prefer a little more cut in the ground.

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I see that racing at Chelmsford yesterday was abandoned on safety grounds owing to the dense fog.

I was pleased that West Ham managed to get a result yesterday in an awful game.  West Ham were terrible, but fortunately Fulham were worse as the Hammers prevailed 3-1...better still, I get to collect my money.  I will be reinvesting some of that on Newcastle at 17/20 to beat Huddersfield.

There is an exciting boxing match to look forward to tonight as Degale takes on Eubank Jr.  Let's hope that they can fight as well as they can talk.  I wonder if Eubank Snr will be parading around the ring in all his finery?

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What can go as fast as a racehorse?  The jockey!  Keep smiling...

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