Wincanton Abandoned!

There was due to be jumps racing at Market Rasen and Wincanton today, unfortunately Wincanton hasn't been able to beat the weather and has been abandoned due to waterlogging on the track, while Market Rasen goes ahead - We were due to have one runner at the latter meeting, Moodofthemoment.

We wanted Wincanton to be on for another reason also, which was to see three time Champion flat jockey, Oisin Murphy in action for the first time over jumps.  He was due to partner Let’s Do This in the 2.05pm 3m novices handicap hurdle for Irish trainer Cian Collins.  The 28 year old is from a jumps racing family, with Jim Culloty his uncle and he has always held an ambition of riding over jumps.  I follow him on social media and know he does a lot of show jumping to quite a high level and hunting.  I think he is a great horseman and I don’t think he would be doing this without having a strong ambition to be good at it as well.  I was more worried that Oisin would've need someone to help carry his saddle – he was due to carry top weight of 12-0 stone, so I imagine there would've been quite a lot of lead in his weight cloth!  Previous flat jockeys who have turned their hand to jumping and have been quite good are, Lester Piggott who won the 1954 Triumph hurdle on Prince Charlemagne while in more recent times, Richard Hughes, Jamie Spencer and Tom Queally have all done it with some success.  But with Wincanton being off today, I'm sure the opportunity will come around again soon for him.

Last night, we had Ocean Heights run at Kempton on the all-weather where he ran well and finished 2nd. He lost his position mid race a little, but then stayed on really well all the way up the home straight. It was another solid run and he deserves to get his head in front next time!

There was due to be jumps racing at Leicester as well today but that was called off earlier in the week due to waterlogging.  Exeter are holding an inspection on Friday morning ahead of their meeting tomorrow, so fingers crossed everywhere goes ahead.  We are due to have three runners at Exeter tomorrow.  There are two flat meetings today on the all-weather at Southwell and Chelmsford and in Ireland they race over jumps at Clonmel.

Last night in the football it was a mixture of results with Manchester United winning 2 - 1 Chelsea and Liverpool won 2 - 0 Sheffield United while on the other hand Manchester City lost 0 - 1 Aston Villa.

There are two Premier League matches this evening with Everton against Newcastle kicking off at 7.30pm and Spurs are at home to West Ham at 8.15pm.

Just so everybody’s clear.

I’m going to put my glasses on!

Have a good day!