Gevrey Carlisle Cracker!

The saying goes that form is temporary but class is permanent - I don't know who said it, but they were proven correct by Gevrey Chambertin yesterday at Carlisle.  He made all to win by 13 lengths without ever looking to be in any danger despite top weight of 11-12.  I wonder what our old mate will think of that performance from a handicap mark of 140?!  As far as I am concerned it was another excellent bit of placement by the trainer.  Meanwhile, Baraka de Thaix finished second in the 2m3 1/2f handicap hurdle and on this evidence he will be winning before too long.

There are four meetings to look forward to this afternoon with three jumps cards from Ayr, Sandown and Leicester as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Chelmsford City.  David has just one runner today as Prideofthecastle runs in the 2m4f handicap chase at "Lucky Leicester".  Our runner has to shoulder top weight of 11-12 and will be partnered by stable jockey Tom Scudamore.  The ground is sure to be testing and while he disappointed on heavy ground here last time, he has won on soft and would have sound claims if returning to his best.

There is a great picture of Stratford in today's Racing Post and the course is completely submerged in water.  Stratford is not that far from Cheltenham (only a couple of inches on the map!) although the forecast for the Festival looks set fair while the temperatures look set to soar to a positively balmy 9 or 10°c - mind you it is always hot in our hospitality marquee due to all the winners we give!

In the latest in our series of pre-Cheltenham Festival interviews, broadcaster Mike Vince caught up with conditional jockey David Noonan and asked him about his book of rides for the week, including news of his intended mount in the Martin Pipe conditional jockeys handicap hurdle.  To see what he had to say, click on the photograph or link below...

David Noonan 2016 Cheltenham Festival Interview

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I hope you followed me yesterday as Liverpool duly beat an awful Manchester United side 2-0.  Even United stalwart Paul Scholes said how bad the side was and he doesn't usually have that much to say so that tells you all you need to know.  Meanwhile Spurs were hammered 3-0 by Dortmund , although they were playing seven players who did not participate in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

I still cannot believe all the fuss about lady tennis player Maria Sharapova.  She failed a drugs test and as far as I a concerned she needs to be banned.  There are a number of people who have come out in support of her, saying that at least she was honest - it would have come out anyway!  The facts are that she failed the test and there should be a zero tolerance policy...even Andy Murray agrees that she should be banned.

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I used to be a heavy gambler but now I just make mental bets...that is how I lost my mind!  Have a nice day...

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