Chepstow Success!

There was another impressive winner for the stable when Kepagge absolutely bolted up in the bumper at Chepstow yesterday afternoon.  Making all the running under Tom Scudamore, he quickened it up early in the straight and the race was never in doubt after that.  He would have gone close in an Irish point-to-point on his only previous start but for a fall at the last so he will clearly relish a greater test and obstacles in time and rates another smart prospect for the yard.  David has some very nice youngsters on his hands and hopefully you will be hearing plenty more of this chap.

It was especially nice for owner Sarah Ling who has had a terrible run of luck.  She was even considering switching her silks from those famously carried to big race success by the likes of Beau Ranger in the 80's.  Sarah has been a tremendous supporter of the yard and we couldn't be more happy for her.  There was a good interview on Sky Sports Racing with Sarah and they also had some great footage of Mandy, Kepagge's lass running down the rails to greet her charge.  Looking at her sectional timings, perhaps we should enter her up somewhere?!

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Newbury, Market Rasen and Sedgefield supported by all-weather flat fixtures from Chelmsford and Southwell.  David has one runner today as classy chaser Daklondike reverts to hurdles for his seasonal debut in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier at 3.10pm.  He competes from a mark 9lbs lower than his chase rating and he has won here over fences.  He clearly has the ability to be involved if he puts his best foot forward and any softening in the ground would be in his favour.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle and he could outrun his odds.

There is an exciting novices' chase earlier on the card with Grade 1 winning hurdler Champ making his debut over the larger obstacles.  It looks to be an interesting contest with promising types such as Beakstown and Dashel Drasher in opposition.

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England's cricketers take on New Zealand in the early hours of tomorrow morning for the fourth T20 match.  England lost the last match after a spectacular batting collapse and they will need to do better to save the series which they currently trail 2-1.  Let's hope they can do it, although I wouldn't be betting on it!

Spurs have been playing much better of late and produced a very good performance to beat Red Star Belgrade 4-0 in their Champions League group match last night.

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Thought for the day...If all else fails, stop using all else!

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