4 Exeter Runners

It is another cold start to the day with a white frost on the ground.  Unsurprisingly there are early morning inspections at both jumps meetings; Exeter and Leicester.  There are no such problems at Newcastle's all-weather flat fixture where they host a seven race card.  Should Exeter get the go ahead David will have four runners - Flou Artsistique, Sexy Lot, Ekayburg and Great Tempo.

Flou Artsistique and Sexy Lot are both in the 2m1f maiden hurdle at 2.00pm.  Flou Artsistique showed ability in a French bumper but would need to improve on his first start in this country at Taunton.  Sexy Lot had some reasonable placed form on the flat in Germany and has schooled nicely at home.  She will benefit from this experience but has each-way claims under David Noonan.

Ekayburg contests the 2m1f handicap hurdle at 2.30pm.  He was a very useful horse in French bumpers and has finished in the frame on the flat since then but has yet to convert that ability to hurdles and would need to improve on what he has shown thus far to figure.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.

Our final runner is Great Tempo who runs in the 3m handicap chase at 3.30pm.  He was a brave winner at Taunton last time out, pinching a decent advantage off the home turn and holding on in the closing stages.  A rise of 5lbs does not look unreasonable and winning rider Fergus Gillard takes 7lbs off his back.  He looks to have a good chance, although he has a bit to find on earlier form behind Arqalina at Ffos Las.

*****

There was an exciting finale to the Masters snooker yesterday with Stuart Bingham beating Ali Carter 10-8.  Bingham, 43 became the oldest winner of the contest but has had his detractors down the years.  He was sanctioned in 2017 by snooker's governing body over allegations that he had bet on matches he was participating in.

With Manchester City drawing and Leicester losing to Burnley yesterday, Liverpool stretched their advantage in the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat over Manchester United.  Liverpool are now 16 points clear with a game in hand having scooped 64 of the possible 66 points available to them this year.

*****

A set of golf clubs walks into a bar. “What’ll you have”? “Nothing for me, I’m the driver.”

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