One Runner At Exeter

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Exeter and Newcastle as well as an all-weather flat meeting from Southwell.  The stable has one runner this afternoon, Great Choice (pictured above) ridden by stable jockey Tom Scudamore.  The Racing Post have our runner forecast as favourite at odds of around 7/4.  On his reappearance run at Cheltenham where he finished an excellent second he would have a leading chance, although he has been creeping up the weights subsequently.  He will handle the ground and this step up in trip could also prove beneficial.

Talking of Tom Scu, his long trip to Fakenham paid off yesterday when his sole ride of the day, De Kerry Man won well - I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him follow-up.

It is Sir Peter O'Sulleven's 97th birthday today.  'The Voice of Racing' will be at home for his birthday and we wish the legend all the very best.  I know that Martin keeps in touch with him and he still likes to know what our fancies are.  Meanwhile it is former snooker player/impressionist turned commentator John Virgo's 69th birthday today - John was one of my old mates from holiday camp days...now he could tell a story or two!

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There is a great local derby on tonight between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.  Villa desperately need to start picking up some points and new manager Tim Sherwood needs to get his players fired up.  The trouble is they cannot score goals at the moment and that is a fairly big problem for any football team.  I am always surprised that Tony Pulis never seems to be connected with any of the big jobs that come up - he's a top manager in my opinion.

Why on earth is Alan Pardew moaning?  His player Mile Jadinak elbowed Diafra Sakho - if the FA implemented replay technology the referee would have sent him off.  What is he moaning for?  His team won, not that I am bitter.

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Golfer Padraig Harrington won the Honda Classic and I bet a lot of you didn't even know the Irishman was still playing .  He won a play-off at the second extra hole, securing his first success since 2008.  Meanwhile Ian Poulter put five balls into the water and blew a three shot lead.  I wonder how many balls did the diver found in the lake?!

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Shop worker Natalie Eckert took nineteen hours to stomp 51 miles in three inch heels on a treadmill in Asda in Meir, Staffs.  She completed the walk for charity and was then given the boot!  Have a nice day...