4 Fontwell Runners

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Ascot and Newcastle on the flat, whilst over jumps there is action from Fontwell and Hexham.  David has four runners at Fontwell today; First Lord de Cuet, Sans Logique, Buster Edwards and Sexy Lot.  First Lord de Cuet (pictured above) was a promising novice hurdler last season, winning on soft ground at Southwell.  This is a competitive contest and he makes his first start since March but he looks to hold each-way claims under David Noonan.

Sans Logique contests the juvenile hurdle at 2.45pm.  A winner on the flat in France, he ran well on his hurdling debut at Sedgefield before disappointing there three days ago.  He is certainly better than that and is closely matched with Talking About You (who in turn has form that ties in with the two market leaders) on earlier form.  The cheekpieces are discarded today and he would not be without a chance if putting in a clear round of jumping.  Tom Scudamore rides.

Buster Edwards runs in the conditional jockeys' staying handicap chase.  He posted a pleasing first effort over fences when a close third over course and distance on his seasonal debut.  He jumped really well that day and a repeat of that effort would see him go really well, despite being 2lbs higher today.  Jack Tudor has won on our seven year old before and he looks to hold solid claims.

Sexy Lot is our final runner as she contests the 2m3f handicap hurdle at 4.30pm.  She had some decent form on the flat in Germany and produced a promising first effort over hurdles when fourth on heavy ground at Exeter last season.  Runner-up at Newton Abbot in August, she should be better with that run under her belt and won't mind any further rain.  A mark of 94 does not look unreasonable and she is another with decent prospects.  David Noonan is in the saddle.  It looks like a tricky day's racing but you couldn't discount any of our runners, let's hope for a winner or two!

It was all going on yesterday.  Love, long-time favourite for this weekend's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp was withdrawn from the race owing to the prevailing soft ground and forecast of further rain.  The 1,000 Guineas and Arc winner looked to have a massive chance in receipt of 7lbs from Enable and we have been denied a fascinating clash.  It does however appear to make Enable's bid for an unprecedented third victory in the race that little bit easier and it would be amazing to see her make history.

Talking of France, Oisin Murphy, champion jockey on these shores tested positive for cocaine after riding in France during the summer.  Murphy protests his innocence saying that he has never taken the drug in his life and independent hair tests taking just three days after were completely clear.  He is now waiting on the results of the French governing bodies 'B' sample but can continue to ride whilst the matter is investigated.

*****

Just four days after getting a thumping in the Premiership, Arsenal knocked Liverpool out of the Caraboa Cup on penalties after the match finished goalless after 90 minutes.  The Gunners will now face Manchester City in the quarter-finals.

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I was walking around the house with a fly swatter yesterday when my wife asked me what I was doing.

I told her that I was swatting flies and had already managed to get three males and two females.

"That's amazing, how can you tell what sex they are?" she asked.

"It's quite simple" I replied, "The three males were on the beer can and the two females were on the phone!"

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