Oneone Newton Runner!

There are six meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Newton Abbot, flat fixtures from Sandown, Chester and York and all-weather flat meetings from Lingfield and Chelmsford City.  David has one runner today as Oneonechop contests the 2m1f handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot at 5.50pm.  A multiple winner on the flat at up to a mile, he has shown ability over timber, especially when a close third over course and distance on his penultimate start.  He starts in handicaps from a mark of 104, but he can claim an age allowance of 19lbs here and he looks to have decent each-way claims, although he may not want too much rain getting into the ground.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.

Despite all of the Group 3 race action on the flat today, the big race is undoubtedly the Ebor handicap at York at 3.35pm.  It is a 22 runner handicap over 1m6f and it is hardly surprising that it has drawn an ultra-competitive field with £300,000 up for grabs for the winner!  You could make a case for just about any of them, although I will take a flyer with Johnny Murtagh's Mirann.  His gelding finished a good second on his only start over this trip but has been plying his trade creditably over shorter trips since.  With potential for better to come back up to 1m6f, he could be a bit of each-way value under Derby winning jockey Adam Kirby.

What a performance from Stradivarius to win a third Lonsdale Cup at York yesterday.  It may not have been his finest success from a form perspective, but the manner of his victory to narrowly deny Spanish Mission after a protracted duel was a real thriller.  He doesn't have the air of invincibility about him from a couple of years ago, but he clearly still relishes a battle and remains a tremendous force in the staying division.

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There was a shock in the British Open snooker yesterday as Judd Trump lost 3-2 to Elliot Slessor.  In the process, he was also losing his number one ranking to current world champion Mark Selby - all of this on his birthday.  I am sure he has had better days.

The finals of 'The 100' cricket takes place today at Lord's and with an unsettled forecast, the games could be limited to even fewer balls.  For all that there have been some dramatic finishes, I'm afraid the tournament has left me a little cold and it seems I am not alone.  I am sure it is here to stay, but it has certainly polarised opinion.

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What do you call a man who can't stand?  Neil!