Two Runners At Exeter

Despite not attracting huge fields it looks like a high quality card at our local track Exeter this afternoon with the feature being the Haldon Gold Cup Limited Handicap Chase.  I would suggest that if you are going along to the Devon track you should get dressed up in something warm - there was quite a frost at the yard this morning and it is very exposed at the top of Telegraph Hill.  The stable has two runners this afternoon - E Street Boy who makes his chasing debut following a layoff and staying chaser Shaking Hands (pictured above) who returns to timber for the handicap hurdle.  Tom Scudamore rides them both.

There are three other meetings taking place on the level after Redcar passed a 7.30am inspection - Wolverhampton and Southwell host all-weather cards.

I thought that bumper winner Barney Cool ran a blinder at Kempton yesterday on his hurdling debut.  He was only beaten 1/2 length and the first two home came ten lengths clear of the third - this was only the homebred's fourth career start and he still looked a little green but he showed distinct promise and looks a ready made winner waiting to happen.

It is always nice to get off of the cold trainers list and Zoe Davidson did it in style yesterday when Just Beware won the handicap hurdle at Plumpton.  She had gone 151 days without a winner but managed to score here with her daughter Gemma in the saddle - a real family affair...what is more, the jockey looked more pleased than her mother!

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I was very amused to read former England striker come football pundit Gary Lineker's tweet about Luis Suarez "Oh I say, he may be an irritating sod at times, but boy can Suarez play!" - it's just his diving that gets up my nose!

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On the golfing front, Lee Westwood could not win the World Golfing Championship in China.  Ian Poulter landed the £737,600 first prize, but at least Westwood gained some compensation when his four year old Golden Hoof won the novices' hurdle at Kempton - having said that it was only scant compensation as the first prize for that was £3,898.  I'm sure Lee's caddy wouldn't carry his bags around for that sort of money!