One Newton Runner

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Leicester, Thirsk, Windsor and Ayr while there is jumps action from one of our local tracks, Newton Abbot.  David runs French import Magie du Ma in the 3.10pm race, a 2m2 1/2f handicap hurdle.  She was one of the best juvenile fillies in France, winning twice and ran with credit in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.  With the weekend rain, the ground is easing quite a lot which should suit her and Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.  Meanwhile Tom and David Noonan have picked up some decent looking outside rides so hopefully they will be among the winners.

Dell' Arca ran well on Saturday to finish a close fourth in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Worcester.  It was a decent performance under top weight of 11-12, especially as the winner had only 9-11 after his riders' claim.  Our eight year old is currently weighted to the hilt although he continues to run well.

The bookmakers had a field day on Saturday with Wings Of Eagles flying home (pardon the pun!) at 40/1.  The first four finished very close together so I am not sure it was a vintage renewal and I wouldn't be at all surprised if John Gosden's Cracksman turned out to be the best of the lot in the longer term.  I had never heard of winning rider Padraig Beggy - I wonder if he will need to be 'beggy' for more rides?!

I can't believe that David 'Dandy' Nicholls has passed away at the age of just 61?  I used to have some great laughs with him and Martin at the Newmarket Sales - he used to tell some great stories and was a fantastic trainer, particularly of sprinters.  He wasn't a bad jockey in his day either, partnering Soba.  Dandy will be missed.

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I hope a few of you followed me over the weekend and had a bit on Real Madrid.  You wouldn't have had too many anxious moments with the final scoreline of 4-1, although it did flatter them a bit.

Italy's Renato Paratore won the Nordea Golf Masters.  He was a 150/1 chance at the start of the tournament and it was his first European tour title.  I wonder if anyone has a wager at these sort of prices?  I once backed a winner at 50/1 which returned at 66's...I am talking about 1981 Triumph Hurdle winner Baron Blakeney of course!

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The other day I sent my wife a huge pile of snow, then I rang her up and said, "Did you get my drift?!"  Have a nice day...

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