Jumping & Flat

                Buddy Bolero

David has nine runners today, at three meetings under both codes so a busy day for the yard.  I am pleased to pass onthe news that Leicester goes ahead.  They actually cancelled their 7.45am inspection after only 5mm of rain overnight, their going is heavy, soft in places.  David has four runners there, Buddy Bolero and Franklin Roosevelt who will be partnered by AP McCoy and Basil Fawlty and Sir Frank who are ridden by Kieron Edgar.  Tom Scu is unfortunately banned today which is why he is not riding.  We also have four runners at Ludlow starting off with Quinte Du Chatelet then Royal Rationale, High Ville and Centasia.  Tom Bellamy, Jamie Bargary and Conor O'Farrell and are in action in the saddle here.  Purple 'N Gold also runs today on the flat at Kempton.  He finished fourth over 1m4f at the course last week and the drop back to 1m2f today should suit.  Willie Twiston-Davies rides again and claims a valuable five pounds off his back.  It comes as no great surprise but the going at both jumps meetings this afternoon is very testing!  It is great to have some jumps action back on however and fingers crossed for all of the stable runners.  Check back here tomorrow for news of how they all get on.

I see that AP has said that all-weather bumpers are boring and would not want to ride in them everyday.  Maybe it was just beacuse he did not ride a winner!  I think they are a good idea as otherwise there would have been hardly any racing over the last couple of weeks because of the weather and at least if a trainer has been wanting to give their horse a good blow out then this has been the perfect opportunity.  It is great to have some proper action back on today though!

I cannot believe that Tiger Woods is now favourite to win the Masters.  I know he won the other day but he hit some loose shots and it was not what I call a top class field.  In fact he played the last 5 holes at 5 over par.  He is just 5/4 to win of this years Majors, too short for me.

In the football, Aston Villa are in free fall.  They lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle last night and they now fall into the bottom three.  They look to have some hard games coming up, Everton, West Ham, Arsenal and Man City so it is not looking too good for them.  How did Man City get so much money for Balotelli?!  They got nearly £20 million for the striker.  I would make sure he gets to AC Milan!  The managers job will be a lot less stressful now!

I tried to catch some fog but I mist!!