Newton Abbot Today

Although Stratford and Market Rasen race meetings have been abandoned today there is still plenty of action today with flat meetings going ahead at Ascot, Catterick, Wolverhampton and one jump meeting at Newton Abbot, where we have four runners. In Ireland there are meetings at Leopardstown and Limerick.

Our first runner at Newton Abbots final meeting of the season is Back Yourself who runs in the Novice Handicap Chase at 2.55pm. I am looking forward to seeing him have his first run for the yard, being by Maxios, a sire I have an interest in. He won his debut hurdle over three miles and he is currently in third favourite with odds of 4/1. We have two runners in the 4.15pm Handicap Hurdle. Bonheur de Ballon, who has Jack Tudor on board. He is another making his debut for the yard, having run four times in France with his best form last November. He has had wind surgery since his last run. Our second runner in this race is Platinumcard for the David Pipe Racing Club, and there are plenty of members going to cheer him on. He won't really like the heavy going and he looks to be the outsider of the field at 33/1. Our last runner of the day is Touch Approach (pictured on his summer holidays) in the 5.00pm National Hunt Flat Race. He was second in his only start to date in an Irish point to point on soft/heavy ground, and he is going well at home. 

There is a racecard with plenty of Group One action at Ascot with it being Qipco British Champions Day. It looks set to be a great day racing with the likes of Trushan, Kyrios, Paddington, Mostahdaf and King of Steel all on the card.

Some other sporting news, New Zealand won well last night against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup semi finals. The second semi final match between England and South Africa kicks off this evening at 8pm. I sense there will be  a few sore bodies (of rugby players) and heads (of viewers) tomorrow morning! It is the United States Grand Prix this weekend, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in pole position after a tight qualifying session.

We are all thinking of those who have been affected by Storm Babet over the past few days. We may have lost a few racing fixtures but that is a small price compared to what others are going through with their homes and businesses being flooded. Fingers crossed the weather looks to be brightening up a bit for the weekend.