Day 3 at Cheltenham

  Dell'arca & Count Danilo on the Gallops

It is the final day of the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham this afternoon so we have that to look forward to as well as racing at Fontwell.  As you would expect, it is a cracking card at Cheltenham and David has plenty of runners, nine in fact plus one runner, Alderluck at Fontwell.  The runners at Cheltenham include, Western Warhorse, Home Run, The Liquidator, My Brother Sylvest, His Excellency, Tanerko Emery, Dell'arca, Count Danilo and Red Sherlock.  I am particularly looking forward to seeing Punchestown bumper winner The Liquidator running over hurdles for the seconod time and Red Sherlock running in the Bumper.  The Liquidator made a promising start over hurdles at Carlisle and alhtough only a small but select field of four runners this afternoon he is a lovely young horse who we are very hopeful for.  Red Sherlock is two from two in bumpers.  Our four year old out of Lady Cricket has been quite impressive so far so it will be interesting to see how he gets on stepping up in class with Timmy Murphy on board.  The feauture race of the day is the Greatwood hurdle and we run Tanerko Emery and Dell'arca.  Tanerko Emery had a great season last year and ran very well on his seasonal debut over fences at Uttoxeter last time.  He was of course second in the Imperial cup and fifth in the county hurdle at the Festival so he does have an each way chance this afternoon.  Dell'arca is an unkown quantity having his first run in England.  His French form is good and it will will be interesting to see how he gets on in a very competitive race.

      The Liquidator after winning at Carlisle

Alderluck runs in the Southern National handicap chase at Fontwell.  There is some good prize money on offer and although he needs to step up on his recent run at Exeter, he stays well and Mikey Ennis takes a handy seven pounds off his back.  This combination were successful at Bangor last season so hopefully they can go well again today.

With the International football on this weekend unfortunately there is no proper football on!  Sorry if you are a league 1 or 2 supporter but I am only really interested in the Premiership!  Do you think these friendly International matches help anyone?  I am not sure it helps England anyway!  It was however a good start to the friendly matches for the Republic of ireland who beat Latvia 3-0.  The Martin O'Neill, Roy Keane partnership looks okay.  I really wonder why none of the big foreign owners of one of the Premier League sides has not put these two in charge of their team?  Good cop bad cop could work!  

In the Formula 1 I see that Sebastian Vettel is favourite to win the American Grand Prix today in Austin, Texas.  I think that if they even make him drive and austin he would still win!  He is going for a record eight consecutive victories.  I wish my car was as reliable?!