Dusky Delight For DPRC

What a great result for the yard yesterday as Dusky Hercules (pictured above) won the staying novices' handicap hurdle at Exeter, recording a first success for the newly launched David Pipe Racing Club.  The colours were carried to many a victory for MCP's racing club so it is very special to be back in the winners' enclosure with them.  Dusky Hercules was given a lovely ride by young amateur rider Fergus Gillard to get up in the shadow of the post.  This was his first try at the trip and it clearly suited as it took him every inch of the 2m7f to get his head in front.  Hopefully he can go on from this and win again.  Meanwhile, Main Fact also ran a cracking good race to be narrowly beaten into third on his first start for 600 days.  He is entitled to improve for this effort and should be capable of winning something similar.

There is a busy day ahead with four jumps cards from Sandown, Aintree, Chepstow and Wetherby, whilst there is an all-weather flat fixture from Wolverhampton.  David has runners at three of the jumps meetings with Vieux Lion Rouge contesting the Becher Chase at Aintree, Taj Badalandabad, Eur Gone West and Rathlin Rose at Sandown and Remastered at Chepstow.

Vieux Lion Rouge heads back to Aintree for the Grand National fences this afternoon and a fourth crack at the Becher Chase at 1.30pm.  He won the race in 2016 and was a good second last year.  He has jumped 181 of these unique fences without a problem and hopefully he can maintain that record today.  He is on the same mark as when successful in the race and 4lbs lower than when 2nd last year and should be right there again under Tom Scudamore.

Remastered is our sole runner at Chepstow and he contests the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at 1.25pm.  He was disappointing on his seasonal reappearance but was a decent fifth at Cheltenham last time and takes a further step-up in trip today.  He looks as though he will be suited by conditions and Nick Scholfield takes the ride - he has a good record when riding for the stable and this one has solid claims.

Now over to Sandown and Taj Badalandabad and Eur Gone West run in the Pertemps qualifier at 1.20pm.  Eur Gone West improved last season to win easily at Exeter and Taunton so hopefully he can maintain that improvement this season.  He will need to as he is 13lbs above his last winning mark, but he is a nice prospect and has each-way claims under David Noonan.  Taj returns from an absence of 598 days but that did not stop Main Fact from running well yesterday.  He has won two of these qualifiers in the past and finished fourth in the final at the Cheltenham Festilval from a 5lbs higher mark.  James Davies takes the ride and whilst he is entitled to improve, a big run is not out of the question.

Our final runner of the day is the ever-popular veteran Rathlin Rose who contests the London National at Sandown at 3.35pm.  He goes well around here and is only 1lb higher than when last successful in a veterans' race at Ascot last season.  Even so, he would need to improve on recent performances to figure.  David Noonan takes the ride.

*****

There should be an interesting fight tonight as Anthony Joshua bids to regain his heavyweight boxing crown from Andy Ruiz.  The rematch takes place in Saudi Arabia at 8.45pm our time.  Joshua was a massive favourite to win the first fight but was shocked to be put on his backside by the seemingly overweight and under-conditioned Mexican-American, Ruiz.  I would be surprised if he takes him so lightly this time and a different result would be no surprise with Joshua odds-on to gain his revenge.  The fight is on Sky Sports Box Office.

*****

What is the best Christmas present ever? A broken drum - you can't beat it!

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