Leicester & Exeter!

          Kepagge runs today at Leicester.

Today we have three runners, two at Leicester and one more locally at Exeter.  Kepagge and Royal Mer travel to Leicestershire and were on the road early this morning while it is a little later leave for Lock Out who heads to Exeter.  Kepagge runs for the second time over fences in the 1.35pm novices handicap chase over 2m4f and Jack Tudor rides.  He is a previous course winner over hurdles and will enjoy the testing conditions this afternoon.  He ran well enough on chasing debut last time at Ffos Las and has come on for that run.  There are only five runners but it is a tricky little contest and they all have a chance.  I wouldn’t swap our fella however and hope he can run well at 9/2.

Royal Mer is another who will love the heavy conditions, he runs in the 2.05pm handicap chase over 2m6f and Jack Tudor rides.  He made a winning chasing debut for us at Ffos Las last time at Ffos Las and will appreciate the little extra distance this afternoon.  He jumped well and showed a good attitude to battle and win last time.  He is even money favourite to follow up off a five pound higher park this afternoon and fingers crossed he can do it as I think there is more improvement to come.

Lock Out returns to fences in the 12.50pm novices handicap chase over three miles and David Noonan rides.  He made a pleasing chasing debut at Wincanton but then has been a little below par on his last two efforts, last time over hurdles and so he wears blinkers this afternoon.  While he may prefer to ground not quite as testing as he will encounter this afternoon, he is now very well handicapped and the small field will suit.  He is 8/1 fourth best in the betting and hopefully he can take a step back in the right direction.

As well as jumps racing at Exeter and Leicester this afternoon, they also race at Hexham as well and it is good to have so much action after a rather blank week last week.  There is all-weather action at Lingfield and Kempton and in Ireland they are also on the flat at Dundalk.

Yesterday a Wincanton I was a little disappointed by how the afternoon went – when you have high expectations however you are often left a little disappointed! Lady Balko ran well to be fourth in the maiden hurdle and now qualifies for a mark.  King Turgeon was hassled on the lead in his chase and never really got into a rhythm and finished a little tired.  I think it was a race that just didn’t quite work out for him and it was not his true running so I am sure he can bounce back next time.  Similar comments apply for Sizing Pottsie while Kingofthewest ran well enough to be third in his race.  He looked to hold every chance turning for home before the eventual winner kicked a few lengths clear and we were always on the back foot but we stayed galloping and only just missed out on second.  I am sure he can win over fences soon, maybe over a slightly longer trip.

Last night in the Champions League football, Arsenal 1 - 1 PSV Eindhoven. While Manchester United 0 - 1 Bayern Munich.

The action continues this evening and Manchester City travel away to Red Star Belgrade for a 5.45pm kick off while Newcastle are at home to AC Milan at 8pm. 

My mum has forbidden me from making any more breakfast puns.

She says if I do, I’m toast but my dad keeps egging me on!

Have a nice day!