Welsh National Day (Again!)

We are spoilt today!  Rising temperatures (it is set to reach a balmy 3°c later) mean that there are five meetings taking place this afternoon with some 'proper' jump racing.  Indeed, the jumps action comes from Chepstow, Kempton and Wincanton, whilst there are a couple of all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Chelmsford.  The big meeting of the day of course is Chepstow, where the entire meeting has been rescheduled to host the Welsh National.  David has four runners today, all at Chepstow and they are; Adagio, Neon Moon, Ramses de Teillee and Vieux Lion Rouge.

Adagio runs in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at 1.25pm.  He has already proven to be one of the best juveniles seen out on this side of the Irish Sea with wins at Warwick and Cheltenham this season, sandwiching a good second in a Grade 2.  He doesn't mind testing ground and looks to hold a solid chance under Tom Scudamore.

Neon Moon runs in the 2m novices' hurdle at 2.30pm.  The winner of an Irish point-to-point on his penultimate start, he recorded a decent first effort under rules, finishing a close fourth in a decent looking Southwell bumper.  With the horse immediately in front of him running well against a good prospect subsequently, the form has already been franked.  This is a competitive contest but he is a nice prospect and looks to have each-way chances with Tom Scu in the saddle.

Finally, we have two runners in the Welsh National; Ramses de Teillee and Vieux Lion Rouge.  Ramses was an excellent runner-up in the race in 2018 from a mark of 149 and is 4lbs higher today, although he won from 149 on his penultimate start, edging our Yala Enke in a thriller at Cheltenham.  He jumps and stays well and loves heavy ground and has each-way prospects in a wide open race.  Tom Scudamore rides.  Our other runner is Vieux Lion Rouge (pictured above), who produced an epic performance to land the Becher Chase over his beloved National fences at Aintree last time.  He has a 4lbs penalty for that success which leaves him 8lbs 'well-in' according to the official handicapper but whether he can produce another effort like that back over regulation fences, time will tell.  Conor O'Farell gets on well with him and with conditions to suit, he could give a good run for your money at big odds.

*****

Liverpool beat Aston Villa 4-1 last night in the third round of the FA Cup but the result was not as cut and dried as it sounds with the two teams locked at 1-1 at half-time.  Following a Covid outbreak, Villa had no first team players available to them and fielded a side comprising seven under 23 players and four under 18's.  It took a goal flurry in the second half for the reds to finally get on top.  Meanwhile, Wolves beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the other Cup match last night.

It is Super Wildcard Weekend in the NFL which means I will be watching, even though they take place without my beloved Minnesota Vikings.  There are three matches taking place tonight and another three tomorrow (my wife will be thrilled).  I fancy Buffalo, Seattle and Tampa Bay to go through to the next round tonight.

*****

A mate of mine recently admitted to being addicted to brake fluid.  When I quizzed him on it he reckoned he could stop any time.

The barman says, "We don't serve time travellers in here." 

A time traveller walks into a bar

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