Weekend Jottings

It really is a case of the calm before the storm with two jumps cards taking place at Warwick and Market Rasen and the yard being represented by just The Wealerdealer at Market Rasen in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle.  He ran respectably when third at Wincanton last time out and can hopefully build on that in the hands of Matt Griffiths.  I bet there will be a few Irish punters at the track ahead of the Cheltenham Festival - they seem to take the entire week off of work to pay homage to Cheltenham.  I see the first race is sponsored by Lincs Loos - I hope your bets don't go down the pan!  It's probably a little early to be doing those kind of jokes.

Looking through the statistics I see there are still quite a few big yards that are looking for their first Cheltenham Festival success.  Among them are Tim Vaughan who has gone 106 Festival runners without a winner - just imagine how he will feel if he manages to break his duck.  It is a very nervous time for jockeys too - you don't want to be riding a horse with lots of F's in his form in the weeks leading up to the Festival!  You certainly don't want to be picking up injuries at this time of year and you have to feel for the likes of poor Kieron Edgar who will have to sit the meeting out.

It seems that the Cheltenham preview nights in Ireland are throwing up a common theme - they all seem to be putting up Briar Hill in the Albert Bartlett.  It looks like a tricky race with our Kings Palace in opposition.  My only bet so far has been on Annie Power in the World Hurdle - I was on early doors so could always trade out of it if I get cold feet!

Don't forget to check out David's blog tomorrow when he will bring you the final instalment of our Cheltenham Festival video interviews conducted by Mike Vince.  David chats about his novice hurdlers so it should definitely be worth a view.

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I see that ladies tennis ace Maria Sharapova says that men's Grand Slam matches should be played over three sets just like the women.  I guess it is because they have been lobbying for equal rights and pay - perhaps the ladies should play their matches over five sets?  I don't suppose Sharapova would be able to grunt for five sets!

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There are three Cup football quarter-finals taking place this afternoon.  Hull take on Sunderland, Manchester City play Wigan and Sheffield United face Charlton - they look like three home wins to me.  Have a nice weekend!

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