Jurancon Wins Again

         Jurancon Winner at Newbury

The jumps cards dominate today with action coming from Wincanton, Newcastle and Ludlow who need to pass their inspection this morning. The all-weather comes from Chelmsford with an evening card and there is jumping in Ireland at Fairyhouse.

We head to Wincanton with four runners and Jack Tudor rides all of them. First Lord De Cuet runs in the 12:50pm Novices’ Handicap Chase over 3miles 1f. Things haven’t quite gone his way of recent, but he has previous form at the course and he is in good form at home.  He wears a visor for the first time and this represents a slight drop in grade of race.  Sirekoff runs in the 2:35pm Handicap Hurdle over 2miles 4f. He returns after having had wind surgery and I think he will enjoy the track and conditions and is in great form at home.  He won on stable debut but needs to bounce back from a below par effort at Chepstow last time.  We are not sure he liked the ground that day and hopefully conditions are more suitable this afternoon but it looks a competitive race.  Phantomofthepoints runs in the 3:10pm Handicap Hurdle over 3miles 1/2f. He did everything right bar the final 50 yards at Chepstow where he hung to the paddock and gave the race away. He is all ok from that and he has shown improved form in two starts this season and I think there is still plenty more to come.  It is another competitive race but I hope he will take a lot of beating.  King Turgeon finishes the day running in the 3:45pm Somerset National Chase over 3miles 2 1/2f. He is in great form at home and it will be nice to get him back on the track. He has had a terrific season so far, far beyond what we could have hoped for and he will need to improve again to win off a career high mark but it looks a good opportunity for him.

Yesterday we were at Newbury and it was lovely to see Jurancon get his head back in front and it was a lovely performance under a good ride from Jack. He travelled strongly and jumped well bar getting the last a little wrong but he kept galloping strongly.  I can't wait to see him step up in trip either which is sure to bring about more improvement.  Lady Balko was slightly disappointing as she looked to be travelling and jumping well but in the closing stages just couldn’t quite go with them. She’s all ok this morning and I’m sure she’ll be back to form again. Activist ran a much more promising race to finish fourth at Hereford and hopefully this will be something he can build on going forwards.

Last night there were Premiership football wins for Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Arsenal.  It was an important win for the Gunners who move into second place in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool but they have played a game more.  There are two matches this evening, Ipswich play Brighton at 7.30pm while Manchester United are at home to Southampton at 8pm.

Why do cows have hooves and not feet?

Because they lactose! 

Have a great Thursday!