Arca Abbot Bound

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Chester and Wolverhampton and jumps fixtures from Kelso, Fontwell and Newton Abbot.  There are still plenty of holiday makers around in Devon following the Bank Holiday weekend so I would imagine that there will be a decent crowd for the meeting at Newton Abbot this afternoon, especially if the weather remains fair.  David has one runner there today as Dell' Arca (pictured above) runs in the 3m2f handicap chase at 4.55pm.  He proved his stamina for this trip last time at Exeter and this good ground should be right up his street.  He has to defy top weight but looks to have decent claims in a trappy little race.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.

There is a good flat card from Chester today where the Group 3 Chester Vase is the highlight of the meeting and I have a fancy for Bold Rascal.  It is only the beginning of May - it is quite amazing that the first two Classics are behind us and the Derby trials are taking place.  Aiden O'Brien has some runners but such is the competitive nature of the card, I wouldn't be surprised to see him leave empty-handed...now there is a bold statement!  Chester is always worth a visit, if only to do a bit of sightseeing.  You should go into the middle of the course and seeing most of the poseurs with their bottles of champagne - most of them seem to be Premier League footballers.

There were only three runners from the stable at Exeter last night after Orchard Thieves was withdrawn on account of the quickening ground.  Mrs Miggins fared best when a promising third in the mares' novices hurdle.  She looked at home on the ground and will be suited by more of a test of stamina in time.  Friday Night Light travelled well in the 2m7f handicap hurdle before seemingly not getting home on his first try at the trip.  He looks as though he will appreciate dropping back in distance, while he has also been on the go for some time.

*****

Leicester take on Arsenal tonight.  Surely Arsenal will beat Leicester?  Even my beloved West Ham managed to beat them 2-0 and the Gunners can be backed at 21/20 and that looks a decent bet.  The remainder of the matches see long odds-on shots for the home teams.

Talking of football, I see that John Motson will commentate on his last match on Sunday when Crystal Palace take on West Brom.  It will certainly mark the end of an era when he brings the end to a fabulous fifty year career.

I think Tony Bellew has been too near David Haye!  Bellew says that he will knock out Tyson Fury.  He is six inches smaller than Fury and it sounds to me like he is trying to add some hype and pick up as much money as he can get.  I know Tyson Fury has not been busy of late, but has he really gone back that far?

I love Facebook - it is the only place you can talk to a wall and not look like an idiot!

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