Enfant_De_Lune__Quocotiep

It is good to be back at Taunton this afternoon, albeit belatedly after their first meeting of the season was moved to Chepstow on account of the unseasonably firm ground.  We have three runners this afternoon, Tigger and Arab League (who will be partnered by Tom Scudamore) and Bumblebee (Conor O'Farrell) and they look to have chances in open looking races.  Yesterday's runners at Exeter, including the immensely popular Lough Derg have all returned safe and well - I never cease to be amazed by the popularity of "Douglas"...he is a real people's champion and that was proven again when the racecourse presented him with a large box of mints.  I can't remember the last time that something like that happened to a horse just for turning up!

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Lough_Derg1_Fontwell_220209

It looks like a good day of action at Exeter this afternoon and the stable has three runners in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier including the return of people's champion Lough Derg, who as usual is burdened topweight.  High class ex-French chaser Or Noir de Somoza also lines up as well as Quinte du Chatelet who returns from a 614 day absence...one thing is for sure he will like the prevailing going!

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American Art couldn't complete the five-timer but still produced a decent effort at Southwell yesterday when finishing runner-up.  Our six year old found the task of trying to concede 12lbs to the winner Grand Art just too much...one thing is for sure - it was certainly a good day for art lovers with the forecast paying nearly £45!  Despite not winning yesterday he looks to be more than capable of scoring again especially in this grade.

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I thought that Kazlian ran a sound enough race on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen yesterday afternoon when finishing runner-up to Unkown Rebel.  The winner already had experience over hurdles and was no mean performer on the flat having scored on five occasions.  They came a mile clear of the third horse home so it was probably quite a decent contest by Market Rasen's standards.  With that experience under his belt I am sure that Kazlian will be winning races over hurdles before too long.  HMS Intrepid made a satisfactory racecourse debut when third in the concluding Ffos Las bumper, while Raslan was beaten less than four lengths in the competitive handicap hurdle

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Gallops_scene

Well, it's Bonfire Night tonight and we will be hoping for a few sparklers this afternoon!  There is plenty of good jumping action today and we have runners at Wincanton and Sandown.  Le Chasse Spleen makes his racecourse debut at Wincanton, where we will also be represented by Frosted Grape, Qulinton and Madison du Berlais.  Qulinton and Madison both compete in the wide open Badger Ales Chase and it is certainly good to see our former Hennessy winner back on the track.  Tom Scudamore takes the mount on all of our Wincanton runners apart from Qulinton who will be partnered by Hadden Frost.  Enfant de Lune and Clever Dick are our two runners at Sandown this afternoon and they will be ridden by Conor O'Farrell.

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By_Bienamado__Buddy_Bolero_gallops

We have three runners at Fontwell this afternoon and stamina looks sure to be at a premium following 20mm of rain overnight at the Sussex track changing the going to heavy (soft in places).  Trop Fort goes in the conditional jockeys novices' hurdle and will be partnered by Conor O'Farrell, while Tom Scudamore will be aboard the Malcolm Denmark owned pair Mr Chow (2m4f handicap hurdle) and Buddy Bolero (2m2 1/2f national hunt flat) who make their debuts for the yard this afternoon.

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Master_Overseer_Chepstow
                 Master Overseer

What a front running performance by Master Overseer and Tom Scu at Chepstow yesterday in the handicap hurdle.  Even when challenged over the last he battled on gamely to see off favourite Gossmoor Yank to record his first success over the smaller obstacles.  He is a real out and out staying chaser and Tom made sure the race was a real test of stamina.  When the mud is flying Master Overseer will always be seen at his best!  He has been a fantastic horse over the years and is the winner of a bumper, three chases and 2 point to points already.  He has had more than his fair of problems and yesterday was in fact his first run since 2nd January when he had finished runner up in the Sussex National.  His last run before that was in the Sussex National in January 2010!  I am pleased to report he seems fine this morning and has come out of the race well which is great news and fingers crossed we can look forward to seeing him in action again, over hurdles or fences in the very near future.

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