Cracking Friday of Racing

There are three jumps meetings today at Newbury, Doncaster and Musselburgh.  There is an all-weather flat card at Southwell and in Ireland they also race on the flat at Dundalk.  The stable does not have any runners but it looks a cracking day of racing, especially at Newbury.  Their card kicks off with a fascinating novice hurdle in which two ex Paul Nicholls trained horses are at the top of the betting.  Act of Innocence is favourite making his stable debut for Nicky Henderson while Sinnatra is second favourite making his second appearance for the Skelton team after finishing runner up on his debut for them.  There are likely to be plenty of other nice horses in this 15 runner field and so it should be an interesting watch.

Gordon Elliott has a few runners on the Newbury card and the Grade 2 novices chase at 1.50pm looks an exciting race in prospect.  Wendigo and Regents Stroll are the two at the head of the betting.  The Long Distance hurdle at 3pm and Impose Toi looks the worthy favourite after his impressive win at Aintree last time but some more well-know chasers line up in opposition with Hewick and Ahoy Senor among the seven strong field.  There looks some good action up at Doncaster as well and Willie Mullins has runners on that card and it will be a good afternoon of racing all round if you are able to watch.

Yesterday, River Run Free was a little run off his feat in his race at Uttoxeter after missing the start slightly and he never really got involved which was a little frustrating.  He was doing all his best work at the end however, nearly got third and wasn't beaten very far at the line.  He looks well worth trying over further next time.  At Lingfield, they looked to go a very good gallop from the start in our race and Gold in The Rivers again looked a little in top gear from an early stage.  To his credit, he jumped well and kept galloping closing on the rivals in front of him up the home straight and finishing third.  He is another who will appreciate stepping up in trip next time. Bashful Boy looked very happy back over hurdles for the majority of the race but having being held up off the pace he never really got into the race.  He may have found that trip sharp enough at the track and he can definitely do better over hurdles and he is as bright as a button at home this morning! 

Last night in the Europa League football, there were wins for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forrest but Crystal Palace lost away at Strasbourg.  

This evening, Exeter Chiefs are in Premiership rugby action away to Sale.  They are currently doing well and sit third in the table and it would be good if they can get a few more points on the board this evening.

A genie granted me one wish - so I wished to be happy.

Now I live with 6 dwarves and work in a mine!

Happy Friday!