3 Chepstow Runners

There is a busy day of action ahead as you would normally expect of a Bank Holiday Monday with jumps cards from Chepstow, Market Rasen, Plumpton, Fakenham and Huntingdon while there are flat cards from Wolverhampton and Redcar. David has three runners at Chepstow today with David Noonan aboard Sweettoothtommy, Purple 'N' Gold and Prospera Pascha.  Sweettoothtommy contests the 3m novices' handicap chase and although he would need to improve on his most recent performances he has slipped to an attractive mark.  Purple 'N Gold should be suited by the trip and quicker ground although this is a competitive little race despite the five runners.  Prospera Pascha has had just the one run when finishing fifth at Huntingdon and should know a lot more about the game today as she takes in the mares' bumper.

I thought that Arkadios looked unlucky at Newton Abbot on Saturday.  He fell at the second last when looking like he had the race at his mercy and should be capable of winning from this sort of handicap mark judging by this effort.

The big race of the day is the Irish Grand National from Fairyhouse.  There are 31 runners for the 3m5f handicap which is worth £270,000 to the winner.  Gordon Elliott has no fewer than ten of the field while Willie Mullins has three, while Jessica Harrington saddles the favourite Our Duke.  Can you believe that Gigginstown are responsible for almost half of the field with 14 runners - I wonder if they know which is the best of them?

The good/firm ground at Plumpton means that they have only drawn small fields which could be good news for stable jockey Tom Scudamore who looks to have picked up some nice outside rides on the card.

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Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-0 last yesterday and that has made the Premier League a lot more open with Chelsea now only 4 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.  Chelsea certainly can't afford too many more slip-up's as Spurs are playing really well.  Middlesbro take on Arsenal tonight at 8pm on Sky Sports One and the Gunners are a best priced 6/10.  Middlesbro don't score too many goals and this looks like a game Arsenal have to win - I hope I don't regret saying that!

Can you believe that Tyson Fury was spotted drinking in a pub in my home town of Brixham?  There are pictures of him doing the rounds on social media - shame I wasn't out and about as I would have loved to have met him!

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Mrs Barnes is a magician...she can turn anything into an argument!

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