Star Shines Bright at Taunton

        Way of Stars Winner at Taunton

It was great to get a first win over hurdles with Way Of Stars at Taunton yesterday in the colours of Jopla Racing.  I thought he would run well and I am glad that he did!  He travelled and jumped well and from a prominent position throughout he took up the lead with a good jump at the second last hurdle.  He then battled on well to the line just holding off the favourite who was closing close home.  This was just his third start over hurdles and he has improved on each run and seemed to enjoy the quicker ground conditions underfoot this time.  He has a great attitude and there is plenty more fun to be had with him going forwards.

I am not sure Mancero stayed the 2m7f trip having travelled well for a long way while Final Entry looked a bit ring rusty with his jumping and looked like he will appreciate a step up in trip going forward.

We have reached the first day of the Cheltenham Festival and I cannot wait for the action to get underway.  The Supreme and the Cheltenham roar will get us underway at 1.20pm and I am in the camp of Old Park Star in this one.  He beat our own Kingston Queen back before Christmas and has looked fantastic since.  There is a strong Irish challenge but I think the Henderson trained runner can get the Brits off to a good start.

The Arkle follows at 2.00pm and it is a tough call for me between the two favourites, Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba and I may just favour the latter.  Things are a little trickier in the Fred Winter but I quite like the look of Saratoga while in the Ultima all the money looks to be for Jagwar but on the good ground my tentative selection is Hyland, again for Nicky Henderson.   I am a big Lossiemouth fan and I think she will win the Champion hurdle while things are trickier in the Plate at 4.40pm.  Maybe the second favourite, McLaurey could be one for J P McManus and Ireland in this.  Iceberg Theory is my pick in the lucky last and good luck to everyone in finding the winners today!

Away from Cheltenham, there is jumping action up at Sedgefield and there are two all-weather flat cards this evening at Wolverhampton and Southwell.  There is no racing in Ireland today.  

There is UEFA Champions League football action this evening and Liverpool are away to Galatasary at 5.45pm.  Spurs are away to Atletico Madrid and Newcastle are at home to Barcelona at 8pm.  

My son's birthday was today.  When he came to see me, I didn't recognise him at first.

I had never seen him be four!

Have a good day!