Stratford, Uttoxeter Runners

It's the first day of the flat season on turf this afternoon and that means it is Lincoln day at Doncaster.  With the rain softened ground, conditions could certainly find out one or two of the runners, so my advice is make sure any selection that you back will handle a bit of cut.  Meanwhile there is also action on the all-weather at Kempton, while for National Hunt fanatics we can look forward to Stratford and Uttoxeter.  The stable has five runners this afternoon - four at Uttoxeter (Shotavodka, Barton Stacey, Leader Of The Gang and newcomer Molo), while at Stratford we are represented by Red Seventy.  I thought that Shotavodka (pictured above) looked particularly interesting back on a left-handed course - he was the best of these over hurdles and prior to his success at Huntingdon, he had given subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Holywell a run for his money at Catterick.  Tom Scu is in the saddle.

Going back to the Lincoln, I don't know which would be easier - to find the winner of that or win the National Lottery!  22 runners over a mile on soft ground and no idea about which side is going to be favoured by the draw.  For what it is worth my pin landed on Consign at likely odds of around 14/1.  I normally have a go at the Brocklesby for two year old's, however with 19 unraced types on the prevailing going I will probably give it a miss this year.

I hope a few of you readers heeded my advice yesterday and had a few quid on Watt Broderick who bolted up at Wetherby yesterday.  He won with any amount in hand and I would imagine connections will be running him again shortly under a penalty.  He was 15lbs well-in yesterday and would still be well treated even with a penalty.

The forecast looks like we could expect some rain ahead of Aintree next week - it could prove beneficial in slowing down some of the runners on the way to the first in the big one.

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At last beleagured Manchester United manager David Moyes has come out and said what I have been suggesting for ages, that Sir Alex Ferguson left him with a load of OAP's.  As far as I can tell he needs at least six new players, while he could also do with getting rid of Fellani and Mata - I don't envy his task!

I see that Halifax winger Rob Worrincy has been banned for six months for betting on matches.  As long as you don't bet on matches you are involved in, I struggle to see what the problem is.

My little treble for the weekend will be Stoke at 5/4, Derby at 4/6 and QPR at 4/6...have a lovely weekend!

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