Two Cheltenham Runners

Unfortunately Doncaster have had to abandon their Futurity card this afternoon, whilst Newbury have been forced to do the same, leaving us with just three meetings.  They come from Chelmsford on the flat, whilst there is jump action from Cheltenham and Kelso.  David has two runners at Cheltenham today; Ramses de Teillee (pictured above) and Grumpy Charley.  Ramses de Teillee reverts to hurdles (where he is still a novice) for the 3m novices' hurdle at 4.30pm.  Our seven year old had some decent form over hurdles three seasons ago but is better known as a high class chaser having finished runner-up in the Welsh National last season.  All of his wins have come on heavy ground so he won't mind any further rain.  I am sure he will be chasing at some point this season, but this sort of event offers a decent opportunity for him.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.

Grumpy Charley is a recent arrival at Pond House and contests the bumper at 5.30pm.  He did win a two mile point-to-point bumper and finished a creditable third at Exeter in April on good/soft.  That bare form will require improving upon if he is to win this, but he has only run twice and that is conceivable.  He is a 20/1 shot according to the Racing Post and could go better than his odds suggest under Tom Scudamore.

The ground looked very testing at Cheltenham on day one so I find it hard to believe that it is only going to be soft (good/soft in places).  It has poured down here last night so I can only see it getting heavier and that will certainly test some of these having their first run of the season.

Duke Street went into the notebook having bolted up at Cheltenham yesterday afternoon.  He will have to be turned out quickly under a penalty, otherwise he will be facing a hefty hike in the weights.

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I hope a few of you followed me by backing Leicester last night.  There weren't too many anxious moments as they beat Southampton 9-0.  Yes, that is the correct score.  Today I will be backing Bournemouth at 12/5 and West Ham at 23/20.

England take on New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup this morning at 9am on ITV.  My rugger mates tell me that New Zealand will win.  I know nothing about rugby so will leave it at that.

More than six inches of rain fell on the golf course in Japan so Tiger Woods will have to wait until Monday morning to complete his bid to equal Sam Snead's record of 82 PGA tour title victories.  At the moment he is six under par and shares the lead with Gary Woodland.

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How does Bob Marley like his doughnuts?  Wi jam'in!  Have a great weekend...

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