3 Runners At Newton

There is a busy day ahead with no less than seven meetings taking place.  Six of those are on the level with the action coming from Sandown, Beverley, Chester, Wolverhampton, Chelmsford City and Lingfield, whilst there is a jumps fixture at one of our local tracks, Newton Abbot.  David has three runners at Newton; Timeforben, Teaser and Midnight Magic.  Timeforben is our first runner and she contests the 2m5½f handicap hurdle at 3.05pm and although there are only six runners, the bookmakers make the outsider a 6/1 chance so it is clearly a tight little race.  Our runner has won around the track before and loves good ground.  She has been a little disappointing in recent outings but if she were anywhere near her best she would have a chance under Tom Scudamore.

Teaser (pictured above) runs in the 2m½f handicap chase at 3.40pm.  Our four year old has been a real revelation since we picked him up from a seller last year and has now won his last three starts, including both his outings over fences.  He won a novices' handicap chase here last time out and whilst he has gone up 7lbs to a stiffish looking mark of 127, he has been well placed by David and his age allowance means that he only has to carry 11-1 despite being the the highest rated of these.  He looks to have a good chance with Tom Scu up.

Midnight Magic is our final runner of the day in the 3m2f novices' handicap chase.  Our fellow works nicely at home and stays well as demonstrated by his good second at Chepstow last time out at the end of April.  Although he is yet to get his head in front, a reproduction of that last effort would give him every chance under regular rider David Noonan.

Over on the flat, I see that Frankie goes to Sandown today for just one ride aboard Duneflower for John Gosden.  I know Sandown is not a long haul for the Italian, but he usually has a few more mounts booked on a Saturday...the 'one ride' theory could work here!

Well done to trainer Dave Roberts who ended a 2,964 day barren spell (or 8 years if you prefer) by saddling the aptly named Sackfullofdreams to score at Bangor yesterday.  Let's hope for his sake that he doesn't have to wait another eight years!

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There look to be some interesting betting opportunities on the football today.  I will be having a cheeky little acca on Crystal Palace at 5/4, Leicester at 8/11, Newcastle at 7/4 and West Ham at 10/11.  I hate it when it looks this easy as it never works out like that!

Rory McIlroy hit a great round of 63 in the Omega European Masters, picking up five shots in the last five holes...I thought he would be counting the £12 million he won in the FedEx Cup last Sunday.  He is now the world number two.  Funny enough, he has taken his wife's father to Switzerland to watch him play.  He must be confident, taking the in-laws!

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Diner: "Waiter, you've got you thumb on my stake"
Waiter: "Well, I didn't want to drop it again!"

Have a great weekend...

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