Champers Success!

What a fabulous training performance from David to get Champers On Ice back to the winners' enclosure for the first time in almost three years when running out a comfortable winner of the staying handicap hurdle at Ffos Las yesterday afternoon.  Making all the running under Tom Scudamore, he kept finding more to win by 3¼ lengths, conceding 9lbs to the runner-up.  It wasn't his finest round of jumping so hopefully there will be further improvement there and he can go on from here.  Delface also performed with credit when third in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle to finish third - he will be suited by a stiffer test of stamina.

Following the abandonment of Stratford due to waterlogging there are just two meetings taking place over the sticks with the action coming from Kempton and Carlisle.  It is a busy day for the stable with four runners at Kempton; Ballard Down, Malangen, Teaser and Ekayburg.

Ballard Down contests the 2m novices' hurdle at 12.20pm.  He was a good performer on the flat at distances of up to a mile and this sharp track and going should suit.  Even so, he would need to improve a bit on what he has shown over timber to date if he is to trouble the market leaders but has each-way claims under Tom Scudamore.

Malangen has taken well to fences this term, winning at Bangor earlier in the season although he was a little disappointing at Taunton last time.  The step up to 2m4½f should not inconvenience him around here but this is a trappy little race with any number of the line-up in with chances.  Tom Scu rides.

Teaser (pictured above) runs in the 2m2f handicap chase at 2.05pm and our four year old has done well since switching to fences.  He was still in front when falling at Exeter last time out and whilst he is on a career high mark of 127, he does get a handy age allowance.  He will enjoy the decent ground and he is very game.  At odds of around 14/1 he looks to have each-way prospects under Tom Scudamore.

Ekayburg is our final runner of the day and he contests the 2m conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 3.50pm.  A Grade 2 bumper winner in France, he clearly has plenty of ability although he has promised more than he has delivered since arriving on these shores.  Charlie Hammond is in the saddle and he would need to improve on what he has shown thus far to figure.

*****

Liverpool strengthened their grip on the Premier League football title by beating market rivals Manchester City 3-1.  Liverpool has a great record against City and quickly went two goals up.  They will take some catching if they remain in this sort of form.  Meanwhile, Manchester United also looked a lot better as they beat Brighton.

What a remarkable final to the Champion of Champions snooker last night in Coventry between World Champion and world number one Judd Trump and Neil Robertson.  Robertson came from 9-8 down and requiring snookers before potting a re-spotted black and then clearing up with a magnificent break of 137 in the deciding frame to pocket the £150,000 first prize.  It was a final of the highest quality with nine centuries in the 19 frame final.

*****

I have just discovered an origami porn channel...sadly it is only on paper view!

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