Herbert Worcester Winner!

It was a good afternoon for the stable yesterday with David enjoying a winner at Worcester yesterday when Herbert Park (pictured above) prevailed in a tight finish to the 2m7f handicap hurdle.  Tom Scudamore was seen at his very strongest in the saddle as our charge fended off Western Cape by a neck.  With ten lengths back to the third, let's hope that the assessor does not over-react!  Well done to Worcester who put up some excellent prize money for there last meeting of the season.  David says our winner could have one more run over timber before going novice chasing and he rates an exciting prospect.

I had to chuckle when I heard Matt Chapman comparing Tom Scu to his father Peter.  The orange presenter said that Tom was already more stylish than his illustrious father, although in fairness I was more stylish than Peter (and I only went up the gallops once before falling off!).

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with the jumps outnumbering the flat for the first time in a fair while.  The National Hunt fixtures come from Ludlow, Newton Abbot and Carlisle, while there is an all-weather flat card from Chelmsford City.  David has two runners today at Newton Abbot; Rathealy and Awesome Tunes in the 4.05pm - a 2m51/2f handicap hurdle.  Tom Scudamore is aboard Rathealy who is a 10/1 chance following a few below-par efforts but he shapes as though this trip could suit and he has dropped to a reasonable mark so he is not without a chance.  Irish point-to-point winner Awesome Tunes reverts to hurdles this afternoon and is another who should be suited by this distance and he has Michael Heard in the saddle and he takes a useful 5lbs off his back.

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Manchester City were absolutely destroyed by Barcelona 4-0 last night.  Lionel Messi scored his 37th hat-trick although it has to be said that City played like a bunch of clowns.  The biggest culprit was goalkeeper Claudio Bravo who was signed to replace Joe Hart - he was eventually sent off...I bet Hart was having a wry smile to himself!  City have a long way to go.  Meanwhile Arsenal won 6-0 against Ludogorets - it is 5 years since Arsenal last won their Champions' League group and are now top with PSG on 7 points.  I wouldn't get carried away just yet if I were an Arsenal fan (which I am most definitely not!) as I don't think Ludogorets are very good.

Manchester United are a best priced 6/10 tonight against Fenerbahce.  I must be mad as I will be have a little wager on United - it looks like buying money to me.

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Mrs Barnes would be a great success on the parole board...she never let's anyone finish a sentence!