Sedgefield Double

There was a good day for the stable at Sedgefield yesterday as both of the Pond House runners were successful.  Induno (pictured above) showed a really likeable attitude to win on his hurdling debut.  He didn't travel as well as he can, but he really put his head down when headed at the last and won going away on the run-in to score by 2½ lengths with Tom Scudamore never having to resort to the whip.  He looks sure to get further in time and he is very much one to look forward to.  Our other winner was Paricolor who landed the conditionals and amateur riders handicap hurdle in the hands of up and coming young jockey Fergus Gillard.  Fergus was the epitome of cool as he bided his time on our three year gelding, coming with a beautifully timed run to lead at the last before going on to score a shade cosily.  He is progressing rapidly and is proving to be yet another good buy as he was sourced from a claimer on the flat in France.  He is looking to be a bargain now.

Today there are jumps fixtures from Hereford and Wetherby as well as a couple of all-weather flat meetings from Southwell and Kempton.  David has a runner at each jumps card with Delface at Hereford and Meep Meep Mag at Wetherby. Delface contests the two mile novices' handicap chase at 1.35pm.  He ran respectably on his last start at Ffos Las over hurdles and also on his only start over fences behind his useful stablemate Teaser.  Furthermore, despite those solid efforts he is able to compete here from a mark 1lb lower than when last successful over timber.  Two miles on testing ground seems to be his optimum so he looks to have a favourite's chance today under David Noonan.

Meep Meep Mag goes in the closing bumper at Wetherby at 3.30pm and she produced a good first effort for the stable when third in a similar contest at Warwick last time.  An Irish point-to-point winner, she should be suited by conditions and should go well under Tom Scudamore.

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Spurs looked to be in some trouble last night as they were 2-0 down at home Olympiakos before scoring four unanswered goals to win 4-2 and reach the last 16 of the Champions League.  There was good news for Manchester City too, who are also through despite only drawing 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk.

I see that England cricketer Ben Stokes has been installed as the 1/5 favourite to pick up the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award after his heroics this summer.  It seems an eternity ago now, but you will remember that Stokes almost single-handedly won the World Cup for England.  Dina Asher Smith is second favourite at 9/1, whilst Lewis Hamilton is 28/1 despite having just won a sixth world drivers' championship.  I suppose the key word here is "personality"!

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I went to the doctor the other day and said 'have you got anything for wind'?  He gave me a kite!  Have a great day...

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