Derby Day

          Dell'arca runs at Worcester

Today we have seven meetings, flat cards at Epsom, Musselburgh, Doncaster, Newcastle and Lingfield plus jumps cards at Hexham and Worcester.  David has two runners at Worcester, Dell'arca and Lady of Longstone.  Dell'arca runs in the 4.05pm 2m4f handicap hurdle.  Our eight year old was a good second at Aintree last time out and previous to that he won at Ascot on good ground.  It will be hard for him to give weight away to his nine opponents but he is a class horse on his day.  Tom Scu rides.  Lady of Longstone runs in the 5.00pm 2m7f handicap hurdle.  She carries top weight minus Michael Heard's five pound claim.  She has pulled up on her last two starts so a clear round is the order of the day but she is a six time winner and does love Worcester so it would be good to see her bounce back.

I did question if Rhododendron would stay the 1m4f trip in the Oaks yesterday.  I am not sure if she did stay in finishing second to and inspired Frankie Dettori on Enable although they did pull well clear of the third so maybe she was just beaten by a better horse on the day.  What about the thunder and lightening before the Oaks?  The American horse, Daddys Lil Darling bolted down the the start and jockey Olivier Peslier bailed out at 40mph!!  I am not sure how many jockeys would have jumped off at speed.  I fell off a horse once, it was barely moving and I broke my wrist!  Can John Gosden and Frankie Dettori win the Derby today with Cracksman?  I think they have a great chance.

I would like to wish Phil Smith a very happy birthday today, he is 68.  Phil is head of handicapping at the BHA.  That should help a bit!

It is the Champions League final this evening in Cardiff, Juventus v Real Madrid.  It is live on BT Sport at 7.45pm.  17-10 Real Madrid, who is going to stop Ronaldo?!  There is a good tennis game to look forward to today as well, Murray v Del Potro,  Murray beat him in the Olympic final but that was when he was at the top of his game.  It should be a good watch.

My wife asked me to come up with 11 jokes about Wimbledon.  I think tennis is enough!  Have a nice day.