What A Winner!

There was another good day for the stable yesterday when What A Moment ran out a thrilling winner of the amateur riders' handicap chase on the first day of Cheltenham's November meeting.  In so doing, our gelding was winning the race for the second year running under Richard Harding despite a 5lbs higher mark.  He looked likely to score by a wide margin turning for home, but he was idling in the straight as the others closed fast on the flat meaning he had ½ length in hand at the line.  The £13,000 prize money was certainly worth winning and it was a great way to start the meeting at which the stable has always done so well.  Meanwhile, Tom Scu was on the mark in the cross country chase for his brother so it was a good day all round - indeed, it was probably one of the best rides of Tom's career...not bad considering he says he doesn't like those races!

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps fixtures from Cheltenham (where it is BetVictor Gold Cup day), Uttoxeter and Wetherby, while there are flat cards from Wolverhampton and Lingfield - David has runners at Cheltenham and Uttoxeter today.  Starchitect contests the big race at 2.25pm and the 2m4½f trip should be right up his street.  He has always been a high class horse and is only 4lbs higher than when successful last time out at Stratford.  Tom Scu is in the saddle and a big run is expected.

Dell' Arca runs in the Listed staying handicap hurdle at 3.00pm.  He put up a career best effort when winning at Newbury last time and meets Thomas Campbell again (on the same terms as when he beat us on our penultimate start).  Despite top weight, our popular gelding should go well once again.  Poker Play is our final runner at the meeting when he contests the intermediate hurdle at 3.40pm.  It is a competitive race with 17 runners in the line-up and he would need to improve on what he has achieved so far, although that is not beyond the realms of possibility with a summer at grass to strengthen him up.

Over at Uttoxeter Eur Gone West runs in the bumper.  He had some decent form in point-to-points and goes nicely at home.  He runs in the bespoke colours of owner Jane Gerard-Pearse.  Tom Joule maybe making the headline for his colours but our very own Jane has produced a top set of bespoke silks to rival these as well.  Jane was also a winner of the BHA competition and her design picked and her colours were made and will be carried by her horse this afternoon at Uttoxeter.  David Noonan has been in early this morning and modelled the colours alongside David!  We love the colours and hope to see them in the winners enclosure later this afternoon!

*****

The Premier League football kicks off again this afternoon and it will be interesting to see how many of the players who pulled out of the friendly internationals last week are suddenly fit to play for their clubs.  The big match is between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur - if Spurs are to be serious contenders they are going to need to win matches like this.  I will be having a little wager on Bournemouth at 10/11 and Burnley at 23/20.

*****

I have mad a product that increases the size of your basement.  I am hoping it will be a big cellar!  Have a nice weekend...

Tweet