Choice At Towcester

Today we have four meetings with jumps fixtures from Market Rasen, Musselburgh and Towcester supported by an all-weather flat card from Chelmsford City.  David has one runner this afternoon, Great Choice who runs in the handicap hurdle at Towcester.  He has run eight times without winning although he is extremely consistent and has some very good placed form to his name, including at Cheltenham.  Kieron Edgar is on board and takes a handy 3lbs off his back.  He certainly deserves to win a race.

The stable's runners continue to perform well without quite getting their heads in front.  For 'N' Against finished third yesterday at Warwick and looks as though he would be worth trying over a slightly shorter trip, while Ballywilliam finished third in what looked a very competitive novices' hurdle and he can certainly win races over this sort of trip.

I see that it is the legend Lester Piggott's 80th birthday today.  He said, "People ask me why I ride with my bottom in the air, well I have to put it somewhere!"  I once went into Barney Curley's kitchen and Lester was sat at the table with Barney.  They were clearly plotting something...I bet the pair of them could tell some great tales!  Anyway, many happy returns Lester - we hope you have a great day.

Former flat champion jockey Richard Hughes sent out his first winner as a trainer yesterday when Duchess Of Marmite won at Kempton - it was his twelfth runner.  Well done to him - it is the first of many I am sure.

I can't believe that the BHA have rejected calls to centralise the Stewards.  I have been on about this for years - at least if there was one core body of professional Stewards you would get some continuity and consistent decisions.  Looking back to the Melbourne Cup and Frankie Dettori's one month ban, the Stewards over there cited the interference caused and the magnitude of the race in which it occurred - I find that quite extraordinary...it shouldn't matter if it is a selling hurdle or Cheltenham Gold Cup - any punishment should be totally consistent.

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Arsenal had an evening to forget last night as they were thumped 5-1 by Bayern Munich.  I am not sure our teams are the best in the world or that our Premier League is the best league in the world.  Bayern, Real Madrid or Barcelona would all win out Premiership.  I think we have the most exciting league but sadly not the best sides.  There was a good result for Chelsea last night as they beat Dynamo Kiev 2-1, a result that should take the pressure off of Mourinho...at least for now!

Tonight Spurs are 3/4 to beat Anderlecht and I will be having a cheeky little double with FK Frasnodad at 5/6.

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Over in America Reinaldo Rivera is charged with killing a pal who ate the last piece of their chicken dinner in Houston, Texas.  No doubt he will do a bit of bird...

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It is your penultimate chance to see Kieron Edgar's recent interview with Mike Vince and find out which horse it is that has him particularly excited for the season ahead...

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