Exeter Runners

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Exeter and Warwick and a couple of all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  David has two runners at Exeter today; Buster Edwards and Panic Attack (pictured above).  Buster Edwards reverts to hurdles today after a spell chasing and he contests the 2m7f handicap hurdle at 2.00pm.  He stays well, will handle the ground and has won from higher marks in the past.  He needs to improve on recent outings but could have each-way claims at reasonable odds with Fergus Gillard taking 5lbs off his back.

David's other runner is Panic Attack who runs in the mares' handicap hurdle at 2.45pm.  She has done well this season, winning twice against her own sex before disappointing last time out on very testing ground at Newbury.  Although the ground will be soft again today, it should be a little better and hopefully she can regain the winning thread.  She remains 10lbs above her last winning mark so it is far from easy but she looks to have decent claims under Tom Scudamore.

We hit the crossbar a few times yesterday at Chepstow with two seconds and two thirds to show from our four runners.  Red Lion Lad stuck on really well in the closing stages of the 2m3½f maiden hurdle to finish third and he looks sure to be appreciate a step up in trip at some stage.  A nice, big sort who has already won an Irish point-to-point, he looks a lovely staying chaser for the future.

Eamon An Cnoic finished second in the 2m handicap hurdle to an improving youngster, sticking on determinedly in the closing stages.  Things will get tougher as he is set to go up in the weights after this but he is clearly on good terms with himself following a third good run.  Poker Play finished third in the Pertemps qualifier.  He was not beaten at all far and deserves to pick up something similar, whilst Barrier Peaks produced a promising first effort under rules when second in the bumper.  He stayed on well in the closing stages to beat off the remainder of the field easily and is entitled to improve for this experience.

Did you know?  On this day in 1839 the very first Grand National was held at Aintree.  The winner could not have been more appropriately named...Lottery!  After discussions about rescheduling this year's lottery, I mean race, it has been decided that it will remain on its original date of 10th April, before bookmakers can reopen.  David has one entry in the race this time around; Vieux Lion Rouge who has managed to safely negotiate 223 of the legendary fences during his career.

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Leicester were dumped out of the Europa Cup last night after losing 2-0 (and the same score on aggregate), but there was better news for Manchester United who proceed to the last 16 following a 0-0 draw (4-0 aggregate) against Real Sociedad.

England suffered an embarrassing defeat in the third test in India yesterday.  The host beat England by 10 wickets within two days.  With just 852 balls bowled it was the shortest test match since 1935.  England can only draw the series with victory in the final match.

Ronnie O'Sullivan continued to look in good order as he beat Jack Lisowski 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the Players Championship snooker.  There was a shock though as Neil Robertson was comprehensively beaten 6-2 by Kyren Wilson.  John Higgins takes on Mark Selby today for the last place in the semis.

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How do lazy people exercise?  By doing diddly squats!