Warwick & Worcester

    Jack Pipe & Little Chiefy in Action Today

It is Derby day today but more importantly we have a runner at Worcester and a pony runner at Warwick! Captain Boudet makes his stable debut in the 2.20pm handicap chase at Worcester over 2m7f and Rian Corcoran rides.  Our seven year old is a two-time chase winner from 14 starts and will like the track and ground.  You could argue his form is a little in and out but he has pleased us at home and we are hopeful of a good run.  He runs in a first time visor having won in blinkers before and I have a feeling fresh could be best for him so I wouldn't put anyone off having a few pennies on him.  It looks a competitive enough race and we carry 12 stone but Rian's five pounds off will be a big help.  

Jack Pipe is riding his pony at Warwick today in a 148cm race over a mile.  The racecourse pony racing series was put on hold recently because of the worry of equine flu but it is great they have been able to put on this fixture at short notice and they have four races on the card.  The pony racing was stopped because they didn't want ponies being on the racecourse the same time as the racehorses.  This is an extra special day just for the ponies and I am sure they will try and put another one or two of these on until things can resume normally again.  Jack is up against some familiar names again and this time they have to carry a four pound penalty for their win at Bangor so life will be harder.  It will also be tough as the race is only over a mile when Little Chiefy would probably prefer a bit further but we thought we had to take the chance when we can as we don't know what may come next or what we can target.  The main aim is to get the start right, try their best and see what happens!  We will let you know how they get on on Monday.

Joseph O'Brien won the Oaks at Epsom yesterday with the very impressive Thundering Rock while the favourite Amelia Earhart was disappointing and finished out of the placings.  Today, it is the turn of the boys in the Derby at 4.00pm.  Benvenuto Cellini is a short priced favourite for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore once again and second favourite is Item for Andrew Balding and Colin Keane.  I was very impressed by the latter up at York and he is my tentative selection for the race.

There is good racing at Epsom today throughout the card and I am looking forward to watching Calandagan run in the Coronation Cup a little earlier in the afternoon at 2.40pm.  They also race on the flat at Musselburgh, Doncaster and Lingfield today while there is also jumps racing up at Hexham as well.  In Ireland they have jumps action at Punchestown.  

Away from the racing we have the Women's French Open Tennis final at Roland Garros starting at 2pm while the Test cricket between England and New Zealand continues at Lords.  Exeter Chiefs have an important rugby Premiership game at home to Saracens at 3.15pm today, it is the final league matches of the season.  There is also Vitality Blast cricket action this evening and some golf which I have not mentioned if you are not all sported out before then! 

If two vegetarians get in an argument, is it still called Beef?! 

Enjoy all the action and have a good day!