Lord First!

What a great result yesterday at Plumpton as First Lord de Cuet bolted up in the concluding bumper.  Up with the pace throughout, he quickened clear under David Noonan turning for home and the result was never in doubt.  I couldn't believe that he was allowed to go off at 7/4 having been odds-on in the morning.  I did say that I thought he would win and the price was a bonus...lovely jubbly!  Our two runners at Exeter also performed creditably with Hot Ryan running her best race to date to finish third in the 2m7f mares' handicap hurdle, whilst Barranco Valley finished a close fourth on his first outing in over 1,200 days - both look capable of winning races very soon.

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with the action over the sticks at Taunton, Huntingdon and Wetherby.  David has four runners at Taunton; Little Red Lion, Teaser, Mrs Miggins and Van Gough du Granit, whilst at Wetherby we run Know The Score.  Little Red Lion contests the 2m3f maiden hurdle at 2.20pm and our five year old showed ability when runner-up in a bumper.  His hurdle form hasn't been as good to date so he would need to improve but he is still young and inexperienced.  Teaser runs in the 2m½f handicap hurdle at 4.00pm and he finished a creditable third at Ludlow last time out.  He looks a good buy from a seller and has a good chance again today.

Van Gogh du Granit runs in the 3m4½f handicap chase at 4.30pm and he was a prolific winner in France.  He takes a step-up in trip and it will be interesting to see how he fares on his first start for the stable.  David Noonan is in the saddle.  Mrs Miggins is our final runner of the day at Taunton in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle and our six year old is partnered by Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr who has his first ride for the yard.  Mrs Miggins has shown consistent form and she should go well again despite the burden of top weight.

Over at Wetherby Know The Score is our only runner at the meeting.  He contests the three mile handicap hurdle at 3.15pm and he looks reasonably treated from a mark of 123.  He has won at Hexham and Towcester on soft ground and he looks to have a good chance to me at odds of around 4/1.  He is Tom Scudamore's only ride of the day - let's hope the one ride theory works!

It is Lord Vestey's 78th birthday today.  My mate said to him, "I knew your brother Thermal".  Lord Vestey thought that was funny...I wonder how many times he has heard that one?  He also told me that he played a bit of ping pong.  Anyway, many happy returns Lord Vestey.

*****

What is there more of, the less you see?  Darkness!  Have a great day...

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