Racing at Chepstow

       Activist Runs at Chepstow Today 

Today is what many National Hunt racing fans call the first 'proper' day of the jumps season with day one of now a three day meeting at Chepstow which has the Welsh Champion hurdle on Sunday.  We have two runners today in the 4.55pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f, Activist and Old Bridge.  David is actually sponsoring this race and has a box with some guests this afternoon so it would be really nice if either of these could do what Lock Out did twelve months ago by winning the race sponsored by David!  It looks a very tough and competitive max field contest today and both horses are each way prices. Activist will be ridden by Jack Tudor and is about 10/1 in the betting.  He is on a career high mark so has to improve again but goes well fresh and won his first start back last season.  He also won his last start of the season and Fontwell impressively when wearing his first time visor which he wears again today.  He will like the ground and the track will be no problem so fingers crossed he can run a big race.

Old Bridge has to bounce back from a disappointing run at Worcester last time but that was a very competitive race and this is slightly easier believe it or not!  Rian Corcoran has his first ride as a professional for the yard and takes a big ten pounds off his back which will also be a big help.  If he returns to his best it wouldn't be a surprise to see him outrun his odds and run a big race.  There is some great racing throughout the Chepstow card with plenty of competitive races which get underway at 1.22pm.

Chepstow is the only jumps meeting of they day but there is some good flat racing on offer as well.  There is Group race action at Newmarket as will as a good card at York and they also race on the level at Kempton this evening.  In Ireland, they race over jumps at Downpatrick and on the flat at Dundalk.  Newmarket has a few Group contests with the feature the Group 1 Fillies Mile at 2.57pm.  Precise is the favourite for Aidan O'Brien and Christophe Soumillon and I think she is the most likely winner.  She could be the Ballydoyle teams 22nd Group 1 winner of the season and put them another step closer to what could be a record breaking season.

All eyes will also be on the 4.05pm race at Kempton where Toby Moore makes his debut on the saddle on Valdorcia for the Charlie Appleby team carrying the colours of Godolphin.  Being the son of Ryan Moore brings extra pressure but I am sure he is very capable and fingers crossed he does well and can enjoy the experience.  They are 5/2 third best in the betting and it would be even better if he could make a winning career debut.

Last night, England comfortably beat Wales 3-0 in an International Friendly at Wembley.  I turned the TV on when they had played 30 mins, I watched a bit of the match into the second half but was glad I didn't miss any more action when I switched over!  Scotland came from 1-0 down to win the World Cup qualifying match against Greece 3-1.  Northern Ireland are the only home nations team to be in action this evening.

Can you name three consecutive days without using the words, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday?

Yesterday's Answer: Tomorrow (What is always on it's way but never arrives?)

Happy Friday!