Panic Attack At Uttoxeter

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Newmarket and Newcastle and jumps cards from Wetherby and Uttoxeter.  David has one runner today as Panic Attack contests the 2m mares' maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter at 1.25pm.  She ran a good first race over hurdles on her seasonal debut, finishing runner-up to a potentially very useful rival in Vegas Blue at Huntingdon.  She finished well clear of the remainder that day and this drop back in trip should not inconvenience at all.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle and she looks to have a very good chance.

Gericault Roque fared best of our runners yesterday, finishing a promising runner-up in the concluding bumper at Newton Abbot.  Fourth in an Irish point-to-point on his only previous start, this was his first run for 263 days and he stayed on in good style in the closing stages to claim second place having appeared booked for fourth turning for home.  He is entitled to improve and looks capable of winning something similar.  Paricolor ran respectably in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle, beaten only 5 lengths into fifth - he looks as though he could do with some respite from the handicapper.

Oisin Murphy has all but sealed a second flat jockeys' championship following a fantastic four-timer at Chelmsford City last night.  William Buick has vowed to battle until the end but with Murphy now leading by 11 winners and the title concluded next weekend, it looks a lost cause.

*****

There were wins for Arsenal and Leicester City in Europa League action last night, although Tottenham Hotspur surprisingly fell 1-0 to Royal Antwerp, leaving them second in their group.  Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was clearly not amused and I reckon his players are going to be in the doghouse this morning during training.

There is Premiership action tonight as Wolves and Crystal Palace fight out an interesting mid-table match.  I see that Palace have failed to win any of their Premiership games on a Friday night.  A meaningless but worrying stat if you are a Palace fan!

*****

Finally, a gem from the legendary Spike Milligan...

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says, "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence; then a gun shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says, "OK, now what?"

Tweet