Seven Runners Today

It looks like being a busy day for the yard with no less than six runners at this evening's meeting at Newton Abbot - Presenting Ace, Vertige Dore, Shoegazer, Shallow Bay, Dandyvic and Lahib The Fifth.  Shoegazer (pictured above) is turned out again quickly having finished third over hurdles at Southwell and now reverts back to fences this evening.  He has proven to be most versatile, winning three chases already this term.  Meanwhile, we will also have a runner at York as Ashbrittle takes in the 2m handicap - he is partnered by former jump jockey Graham Lee.

Obviously all eyes will be on York where the mighty Frankel steps up in trip to 1m2f for the first time.  He doesn't look like he is stopping at the end of a mile to me and he shapes as though this extra distance will pose no problem.  He has his pacemaker Bullet Train in the race, while Ballydoyle have a couple of front runners for St Nicholas Abbey - connections obviously believe that Frankel will get the trip, otherwise why would they need a pacemaker?

*****

Champion jump jockey A P McCoy continues to demonstrate why he is peerless in the saddle with a great ride aboard Red Not Blue in the novices' chase at Worcester yesterday...I am not sure that there are too many othe jockeys that would have managed to get the nine year old home in front.

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I am looking forward to watching the Premiership action this evening between Chelsea and Reading.  Not very original I know, but Chelsea look by far the most likely winners - I think that Reading will just be trying to put up a good performance and keep the score down.  If you fancy buying some money, have a good bet on Chelsea at 2/7.

Meanwhile in the Championship, I reckon that evens looks like a good price about Blackburn to beat Hull.  If Blackburn are to return to the top flight immediately, they need to be beating teams like Hull...I will certainly be having a bit of the even money.