2 Warwick Runners

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Warwick and Exeter as well as all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  It has been cold in this neck of the woods overnight with temperatures as low as -5ºc so unsurprisingly Exeter have called an early morning inspection.  With temperatures due to stay low all day they will be doing well to get the go ahead - fingers crossed for some good news!  The stable has two runners at Warwick this afternoon with Dell' Arca (pictured above) contesting the 2m4f handicap chase at 3.30pm and The Draconian who goes in the hands and heels handicap hurdle at 4.05pm.  Dell' Arca has his first start over fences for over two years, but he has some smart chasing form including when chasing home Coneygree and More Of That (form which looks quite handy now!) - he has been in good form over timber this season and it will be interesting to see how he fares under David Noonan.  Amateur jockey Rex Dingle takes the ride aboard The Draconian and he takes a handy 5lbs off his mount's back - hopefully the step-up in trip will help him improve.

The Racing Post today have run a large feature about the coverage racing is getting now that it has moved to ITV.  Personally I don't have a problem with their broadcasting - the presenters are generally a good mix with Ed Chamberlain, Luke Harvey and Sir Anthony McCoy the jewels in the crown (don't tell Luke or AP I said that!).  Even so, you can't please all of the people all of the time and Mrs Barnes still longs for the days of John McCririck and John Francome.  She says that McCririck used to stir things up, while I think she just fancies Francome!

*****

Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Ostersunds yesterday but did get through 4-2 on aggregate.  The home fans certainly looked a little worried when their side were 2-0 down!  If you turn out a weak looking side, what do you expect?  By the way, Ostersunds are a Swedish side - Wenger has plenty of work to do!

Tiger Woods shot a level par round of 70 in his latest golf appearance.  It was a fair effort but I still think it will be very hard for him to ever win again...I hope I am wrong.  All sports need their superstars and Woods has been magnificent down the years but they should always know when the time is right to walk away.

*****

I text my mate the other day to ask him who his favourite composer was.  I was very surprised when he didn't text bach!  Keep smiling...

Tweet