No Runners Thursday!

There are no runners for Pond House today and there is just the one jumps meeting left today at Catterick after Leicester was forced to abandon yet again.  There is one meeting on the all-weather at Newcastle and in Ireland they have day three of their Christmas Festivals at both Leopardstown and Limerick.

The weather certainly hit lots of the country yesterday with high winds and a lot of rain.  Wetherby was forced to abandon its card but Chepstow went ahead but the weather looked pretty grim throughout the afternoon.  Iceo Madrik was a late non-runner in the Welsh National while Only The Bold was creeping into things before getting very tired rounding the home bend and pulling up.  There were only five finishers in the big race but the winner, Nassalam revelled in conditions and finished well clear of toiling rivals.  He won the trial race at the track and three of the last four winners of the Welsh National won the trial before winning the big event – remember this for next year! David didn’t even make it to the races as he got stuck in traffic! I know the Old Severn Bridge was closed on the way to the races while both bridges were closed later in the afternoon so I hope everyone made it home okay!

Both meetings in Ireland today have some cracking races and Grade 1 action.  The Christmas hurdle at 1.50pm at Leopardstown is run in honour of Jack De Bromhead and the Gordon Elliott trained Irish Point is the short priced favourite to win this.  The race of the day follows at 2.25pm, the Savills chase were Galopin Des Champs just shades favouritism over Gerri Colombe who’s connections chose this race over a crack at the King George.  The names of horses in this race however just make you tingle as outside the top two, others in the line-up are Fastorslow, A Plus Tard, Conflated, Envoi Allen, I am Maximus, Appreciate It and the list goes on.  A race not to be missed I suggest!

At Limerick they have a Grade 1 novices chase at 2.05pm and I can’t wait to see the hugely impressive Gaelic Warrior in action again.  He has some serious opposition in American Mike and Il Etait Temps but I expect him to win again under Patrick Mullins. 

Last night in the football Wolves were away to Brentford which Wolves proved to dominate the game which the result showed in being 4-1 to them. Chelsea were at home to Crystal Palace and finished winning 2-1. While Everton and Manchester City were the last game of the evening resulting in a win for Manchester City 3-1. Everton are now winless in their past 22 meetings against the reigning champions and travel to the in form Wolves on Saturday.

Tonight there are two Premier League matches with Brighton at home to Spurs at 7.30pm and Arsenal face West Ham, 8.15pm kick off. 

Last but not least, I have the answers for the questions that were put out on Christmas day, hopefully some of you had a good crack at them!

The answers for the questions were: The Jockey Club, 11 bets (that span across 4 events), Fairyhouse, 1927, Geraldine Rees became the first lady to complete the course in 1982 - finishing 8th place being (the last finisher), 4 female trainers which were Jenny Pitman, Venetia Williams, Sue Smith, Lucinda Russell.

The Anagrams were another bit of fun for everyone the answers for them are: Brinkley, Remastered, Activist, Paricolor, American Sniper, Kingofthewest. Well done to anyone who got it correct and look forward to doing it again for next year!

In the New Year I’m giving up drinking for a month.

Sorry that came out wrong.

In the New Year I’m giving up. Drinking for a month!

Have a great day!