2 Runners At Cheltenham

***Bella, Katkeau non-runners at Cheltenham***

There are four meetings taking place today with flat action from Newmarket, Ripon and Chelmsford City as well as the second day of Cheltenham's April fixture.  David has four runners at Cheltenham; Lady Of Longstone, Bella, Katkeau and Amigo.  Lady Of Longstone (picture above) has had a quite remarkable season winning five times, including a valuable handicap at Haydock last time out.  She is 8lbs higher again for that success but she should once again give a bold show.  Bella goes in the same race and she has also been a little money-spinner this term, while Amigo and Katkeau both look to hold sound claims in the staying handicap chase.

Batavir finished fifth at Cheltenham yesterday in the three mile handicap hurdle and he wasn't beaten far at all.  Even so, I am yet to be convinced that he truly gets this distance and perhaps a little step back in trip might be the order of the day next time?

I was looking through the entries for this year's Oaks and they are dominated by Aidan O'Brien who has sixteen entered at this stage.  It must be nice to think that you have sixteen fillies that good.  You may remember that he won the race last year with 50/1 chance Qualify and this year he has the first six in the betting with Minding leading the market at 6/1.  I wonder if they know which one is the best?  They certainly didn't last year!

*****

I don't really want to talk about the football, especially the FA Cup after West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United last night...at least Tony, Stuart and Gemma will be happy!  Meanwhile, I see that Aston Villa have decided to scrap their player of the year award.  I can't say that I am surprised given the way they have played this season, personally I would dedicate the award to the fans who turned up week in week out to watch that dross.

Apparently Maria Sharapova could yet escape a ban as the doping chiefs do not know how long meldonium can stay in the body.  The drug is used to treat angina and heart problems...I wonder which one Maria has?  I take meldonium but as yet I haven't noticed any great improvement in my tennis!

*****

Thought for the day...A man's got to do what a man's got to do.  A woman must do what he can't!

Tweet