Runners At Three Fixtures

There is another busy day in prospect with five meetings taking place.  There is jumping action from Newbury, Kelso and Uttoxeter as well as flat fixtures from Doncaster on the turf and Kempton on the all-weather.  The stable has runners at all three of the National Hunt cards; Nice Thoughts and Ballywilliam compete at Uttoxeter, Top Wood (pictured above) makes the long trip up north to Kelso and Drama King makes his racecourse debut at Newbury.  Nice Thoughts ran an encouraging first race over hurdles at Taunton last time, although he needs to improve further to figure, while Ballywilliam has been consistent and looks to have sound prospects returning from a little break.

Top Wood was in the process of running a big race when coming to grief 4 out in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last time out and he is back over hurdles this afternoon.  Conor O'Farrell is on board and I think he should go well.  Meanwhile, over at Newbury Drama King sets foot on a racecourse for the first time today and he will certainly appreciate the experience.  He is a well-bred type who works well at home, although we will know a bit more about him after today.  He is partnered by in-form conditional jockey David Noonan.

It is the start of the flat season proper today with turf action from Doncaster with the two year old's lining up for the Brocklesby and the older horses taking in the Lincoln.  The Lincoln is the usual lottery - a 22 runner cavalry charge in which the bookies go 9/2 the field.  Lord Of The Land is the 9/2 jolly and has been well-backed in the ante-post markets and money usually does talk in these types of races.

I see that it is bloodstock agent Tom Malone's 34th birthday today.  Although he is Irish, Tom could talk for England...he could sell ice creams to the Eskimo's too!

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What it is to be sought after!  I see that Nigeria want my old mate 'Arry Redknapp to be the next manager of their national side.  Their sports minister Solomon Dalung says that Nigerians cannot accept failure for any reason.  With a name like Solomon you would have thought he would have been wise to this!  I wonder if Harry would need an interpreter?

It looks like it is going to be another busy day in front of the television with Liverpool versus Spurs the obvious highlight at 5.30pm.  I will be having a cheeky little double with Liverpool at 8/5 and Norwich at 13/10.

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Finally, a Ronnie Corbett special to sign off with...There was a fire at the Inland Revenue in London today.  Unfortunately it was brought under control before any serious good was done!  Have a nice weekend...

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