Uttoxeter Pair

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Uttoxeter, flat fixtures from Brighton, Catterick and Yarmouth and all-weather action from Lingfield.  David has two runners today at Uttoxeter; Itacare and Texard.  Itacare contests the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at 4.13pm.  A winner at Ludlow in March, he has continued to run well without getting his head in front since.  He was beaten just over a length under similar conditions at Worcester last time out but remains 10lbs above his last winning mark.  He should be right there again under Tom Scudamore but this is a very competitive contest despite the small field size.

Our other runner is Texard, who contests the 2m4f handicap chase at 4.43pm.  He produced a good effort to win at the track last time out and the extra distance is likely to suit him well.  He is 5lbs higher this afternoon, but Philip Armson's claim offsets that increase and he looks to have a good chance.

We were out of luck at Southwell yesterday evening with Dindin faring best of our runners when fourth in the 2m4½f handicap chase.  I was interested to see that the Racing Post suggested he was a non-stayer at the trip, despite having won at that distance or further, seven times in France.  Red Happy was a bit disappointing in the staying handicap chase, jumping repeatedly to his right and he would certainly be suited by a return to a right-handed track.  Kalma was below par in the handicap hurdle but is certainly better than she was able to show here.

*****

England's cricketers were given a good hiding by the Indians in yesterday's one day international.  England were skittled out for just 110 in 25 overs, with the visitors reaching their target without the loss of a single wicket to record a 10 wicket victory.  Captain Jos Buttler said England "finished third in a two-horse race", but will get the chance to turn that around tomorrow at Lords.

*****

It annoys me when people tell me that age is only a number.  Age is clearly a word.