No Let Up!

   Katkeau runs in the Midlands National

There is no let up in the jumping action today as we have four jumps cards at Uttoxeter, Newcastle, Kempton and Fontwell plus a flat card at Wolverhampton.  David has runners at three of the jumps meetings, running Abracadabra Sivola, Katkeau, Standing Ovation, Brook and Mr Big Shot at Uttoxeter.  David also runs Purple N Gold at Kempton and Heath Hunter at Newcastle.  Abracadabra Sivola won last time out, his stable debut at Leicester.  This is tougher but we are hopeful of another big run with Tom Scu on board.  Katkeau has to carry top weight in the Midlands National but he seems in good form as I watched him do a nice piece of work on the gallops during the week.  Standing Ovation has had a mini winter break and also runs in the Midlands National with Conor O'Farrell in the saddle coming here fresh having not run since October.  He has been a great servant to the yard and although the distance is a bit of an unknown we think her should run well.

Both of our runners at Cheltenham performed well yesterday.  Starchitect finished fifth in the County hurdle and was only beaten about 6 lengths having not got the best of runs from 2 out.  We can look forward to Aintree with him.  Champers on Ice also ran a cracker to finish third in the Albert Bartlett only just beaten under 3 lengths, he is going to be a smashing chaser in time.  

MCP with the Hales Family following the success of Ibis Du Rheu

It was a great Gold Cup win for Gordon Elliott and Don Cossack and he is one of the very few trainers to have trained both a Gold Cup and Grand National winner so many congratulations to him.  Victoria Pendleton finished fifth in the Foxhunters and I have to say for someone who has only been riding a year it was a good performance.  I still think the riders should have more experience but I have to admit she did very well.  The Martin Pipe race was won by Paul Nicholls again with Ibis Du Rheu who is owned by the Hales family.  MCP is pictured with them in the Winning Connections Box.

What a great win from England over South Africa in the cricket.  South Africa posted a record score of 229/4 but England past this total with two balls to spare.  What a knock from Joe Root who got 83.  It was really exciting cricket.

Leicester play away to Crystal Palace today and I would love to see Leicester win the Premiership.  I think it would do the world of good for football and just shows you do not need billions of pounds to win.  At the moment they are getting three points without playing their best which is the sign of a good team and things going well.  There is a bottom of the table clash between WBA and Norwich with both teams struggling.  My bets are Swansea 7/10 and Spurs 4/7.

I am afraid I am out of figs, would anyone like a date?  Have a nice day.