Huntingdon Runner

There was a good winner for the yard yesterday afternoon as Teaser (pictured above) landed the 2m handicap hurdle at Ludlow.  He raced keenly on the front end and showed trademark courage to see off his rivals after the last under Tom Scudamore.  He was a local winner for his owners who have had an enormous amount of fun with this chap.  He has won twice over timber and it is easy to see him adding to that tally.  Druide Premier was a little disappointing in the 3m handicap hurdle, finishing fifth although the welter burden of 12-7 probably didn't help.

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Nottingham, Wolverhampton and Brighton and jumps cards from Huntingdon and Hexham.  David runs Malangen (pictured below) at Huntingdon in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 7.10pm.  Our four year old ran better than his finishing position would suggest last time, a juddering error three from home costing him any chance.  He had been in good form prior to that, rattling up a hat-trick under similar conditions and while he is a lot higher in the weights now, he still has an each-way chance under Tom Scudamore at odds of around 11/2.

I see there is a claimer at Wolverhampton today and it has attracted plenty of runners.  The trouble is from our point of view that it is only over six furlongs so there is little interest for the jumps trainers.  I keep saying it, but I don't know why there are not more sellers and claimers as they produce good revenue for the tracks.

Top flat trainer Mark Johnston is calling for tracks to rein back on over-watering the courses.  He wants more courses to aim for good/firm ground on the flat.  He can't believe that the tracks are watering the good ground.  The trouble is that if there is any significant unexpected rain, the ground can quickly get very soft.

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I see the ECB have banned Glamorgan's Billy Root (who is the brother of England skipper Joe) for an illegal bowling action.  When I am watching the television I often see bowlers with funny actions...maybe they were just rooting for him!

Three time Formula One champion Nikki Lauda has died at the age of 70.  He had been poorly recently with a lung condition but was thought to be improving.  Many will remember his incredible rivalry with James Hunt back in the 70's.  Lauda suffered a horrendous crash whilst racing in 1976, suffering terrible burns yet showed amazing courage to be back racing  before the end of the season.  Most recently he had been an advisor at current champions Mercedes-Benz.  A sad loss.

Golfer Matt Wallace has stated that he would love to play in the 2024 Ryder Cup at Bethdace despite the foul-mouthed fans.  Ireland's Shane Lowry was shocked at the abuse coming from the New York galleries, although all New Yorkers are famously noisy...I had better stop there!

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Thought for the day...I wish some people had a brightness setting!  Have a great day...

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