Eventful Leicester Winner!

The stable was among the winners again yesterday when Kepagge duly made a winning hurdling debut in the 2m4f novices' hurdle at Leicester.  The race did not go by without incident however, with Kepagge slipping into the first hurdle before making a terrible mistake at the second which Tom Scudamore did very well to sit.  He wasn't aided by the dawdling early pace but still had more than enough latent ability to put those errors behind him to win a shade cosily.  He had schooled very well at home so we know that he can jump.  He will be suited by a stronger pace next time and remains an exciting prospect.

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from our local track, Taunton, Warwick and Newcastle as well as all-weather flat cards from Wolverhampton and Chelmsford City.  David has four runners today with a runner at Warwick and three at Taunton.

Huccaby makes his handicap debut at Warwick in the 2m5f handicap hurdle at 2.25pm.  He has shown hints of ability in bumpers and hurdles to date but starts out with an opening mark of 70 meaning that he is 9lbs out of the weights today.  He therefore faces a difficult task, although talented amateur jockey Fergus Gillard claims weight off his back.

Over at Taunton, Flou Artsistique is our first runner as he contests the 2m novices' hurdle at 12.30pm.  He makes his debut for the yard having shown ability when finishing in the frame in a 1m4f French bumper.  Tom Scudamore takes the ride and he has each-way claims.

Midnight Magic contests the staying novices' handicap chase at 2.05pm.  He was in the process of running a big race at Exeter last time when capsizing at the penultimate fence.  That performance showed that he handles a bit of cut in the ground and he should go well again from a 2lbs higher mark.  Regular rider David Noonan is in the saddle and he should go well with a clear round.

Story Of Friends is our last runner of the day when he contests the 2m3f handicap hurdle at 2.35pm.  He went close last time at Kempton from a 3lbs lower mark and this longer trip is expected to suit our former Irish point winner.  Good chance under Tom Scudamore.

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Manchester City won their Champions League match last night and whilst Spurs lost, both teams have qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament.  Rangers are in European action tonight as they try to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.  They need to be Young Boys at home.

The Thursday night NFL match tonight is between the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens have been in imperious form this season and should be far too good at home for the mediocre Jets.  They are 14 point favourites on the handicap but could quite easily cover that margin owing to their explosive offence.

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What does the Queen call her Christmas broadcast?  The One Show!

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