December Gold Cup

It is Day 2 of the Cheltenham Christmas meeting today and there is some cracking racing to look forward to.  Cheltenham is one of three jumps meetings with the action also coming from Doncaster and Lingfield.  There are two all-weather meetings at Newcastle and Wolverhampton and in Ireland they race over jumps at Fairyhouse.  The stable does not have any runners today.

The December Gold Cup is the feature race of the day and it is quite strange for the race to have such few runners, with just eleven runners contesting the £125,000 added prize money race.  Jagwar in the green and gold McManus hoops is the favourite but I would be a little worried about stable form and my choice for the race in the second favourite, Vincenzo. 

Yesterday, both our horses ran well and ran their races at Cheltenham but were unfortunately not good enough on the day.  Kingston Queen was let down a little by her jumping for some reason but she still ran her usual honest race to finish third.  The winner looked a machine and our mare galloped all the way to the line and a step back up in trip looks to be what is needed.  King Turgeon was a joy to watch out in front in his race with a great display of jumping (bar one mistake) and held every chance jumping the second last but it was a competitive race and they all finished quite close together and we were sixth.  It was probably a more competitive race than twelve months ago and he ran with credit and could perhaps do with a little more help from the handicapper.

Frankie Dettori is back in action today and starts his much anticipated South American farewell tour by riding in Argentina on their most prestigious race day.  He has five rides and the feature race is due off at 10.30pm British time this evening.  Frankie is on outside in this race but does have chances of riding a winner or two apparently.

There are four Premier League football matches today with no early kick off but Burnley against Fulham is the tea time start at 5.30pm.  Arsenal are at home to Wolves at 8pm.

I just sent my son to his room for saying Jim Morrison is a terrible musician.

Sorry but we do not slam The Doors in this house!

Have a great Saturday!