Wet in the Westcountry

It has been very wet at Pond House in the last few days, we have had just under 50mm of rain this week so far and it looks set to continue for today.  It is probably a good job there was no race fixtures scheduled to take place locally to us this week as I am not sure they would have been on, Taunton would probably have been okay but I imagine even there might be soft this morning!  We are quite lucky at the yard with no flooding to report but having been keeping an eye on the news, not everywhere has been so lucky.  There are no problems for the two jumps meetings in Britain today, with some good cards at Huntingdon and Wetherby this afternoon.  The stable does not have any runners.  In Ireland, they have a good card at Gowran Park which has a Grade 2 hurdle and the Grade 3 Goffs Thyestes chase.  The track had to pass a 4.30pm inspection yesterday afternoon and I presume it is okay to race this morning.

Staffordshire Knot is favourite for the Galmoy hurdle at 1.45pm for the Gordon Elliott team and I think he will take all the beating.  The Thyestes Chase at 3.30pm is far more wide open and it looks difficult to find the winner.  Captain Cody who won the Scottish National last year is the favourite but that was won on different ground to what he encounters today.  It will be a real stamina test in heavy going so if you are looking to have a bit then you will need to find a horse that doesn't mind a bit of a slog in the mud!  There are two all-weather fixtures today at Southwell and Newcastle.

Last night, Bashful Boy finished fourth at Kempton.  He ran okay but I was a little disappointed with the ride he got.  As they said on the TV, held up at the back it is very difficult to get involved at the finished, especially when you are a ten year old and probably can't quicken as much as you used to be able to!  He ran is usual honest race to be a never nearer fourth and he will win a similar contest in the future!

I read that unfortunately Harry Cobden will not be riding at Cheltenham on Saturday following his fall from Neon Moon last weekend.  He is still sore from that fall and literally taking it day by day but he we will not be ready in time for Cheltenham.  Sam Twiston-Davies will partner the Nicholls trained juvenile Minella Yoga.  Hopefully Harry won't be out of action for too long.

In the Champions League football action last night there were wins for Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool.  Tonight attention turns to the Europa League and Aston Villa and Nottingham Forrest are both in action.  I haven't mentioned anything about the tennis as yet but the Australian Open is well underway and Novak Djokovic was easily through to the third round. Jannick Sinner is in action this morning if you are able to tune in.  There is also golf action to watch as well with the Dubai Classic getting underway with a lot of the top players like Rory McIlory, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry all in action.  If only I didn't have to work!

"The issues with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are real."

- Abraham Lincoln

Have a good day!