Two Meetings Today

It is a cold and frosty start here at Pond House this morning but our lorries are already well on their way racing to Fontwell and Uttoxeter.  We have one runner, Umbrigado at Uttoxeter and four runners at Fontwell, Ranco, Sans Logique, Shoot to Fame and Orchard Thieves.  We were due to have Meep Meep Mag running there as well but unfortunately she is not quite right and we had to make her a non-runner.  Fingers crossed we will see her back on the track in the not too distant future.

Tom Scudamore rides Umbrigado in the 1.15pm beginners chase at Uttoxeter.  He was a good second on his seasonal return at Haydock in a valuable handicap hurdle and makes his chasing debut this afternoon.  He finished runner up in his only start in an Irish point to point on his career debut and has schooled well at home.  There are only four runners but it is a very competitive field with not much between the principles on hurdle ratings.  Three of them are making their first starts over the larger obstacles but the Dan Skelton trained favourite does have experience already.  We are hopeful of a good run, fingers crossed.

At Fontwell we have both Ranco (David Noonan) and Sans Logique (Fergus Gillard) running in the juvenile hurdle.  Both are winners on the flat in France but have yet to show their true form in hurdle races over here.  Ranco improved on his debut effort to run okay at Wetherby last time and hopefully there will be more improvement today.  Sans Logique returns after having a wind operation.  The Gary Moore trained favourite in this race looks difficult to beat but hopefully our runners can show a more of their talent today.  Shoot to Fame is now our sole representative in the mares novices hurdle with Fergus Gillard in the saddle.  She ran well in a bumper at Ascot on her stable debut but is yet to fire over hurdles.  She is an Irish point to point winner who can hopefully build on what she has done so far over hurdles.  Orchard Thieves has been a very fragile horse to train since we have had him and it is good to actually be getting a relatively quick run into him again after his seasonal return to this track last month.  The trip was probably a little on the short side last time so the step up in trip to 3m2f today should suit.  He dropped a few pounds for his last run and with David Noonan in the saddle again if he puts his best foot forward he might not be far away.

Looking ahead to tomorrow we have two runners at Leicester declared.  Paricolor is seeking a hat-trick of wins at the course but returns to handicap company while Sexy Lot is looking to complete her own hat-trick after wins at Ffos Las and Chepstow on her latest starts.  The racecourse does have to pass a 8.15am inspection this morning due to waterlogging but fingers crossed it does and we can have runners there tomorrow.  Check back here in the morning for all the latest news.  Have a good day.