Cheltenham One

     Alternatif after winning at Fontwell

Today we have five meetings, flat cards at Doncaster, Newbury and Chelmsford plus two jumps cards at Cheltenham and Kelso.  David has the one runner, Alternatif in the 1.50pm at Cheltenham.  It is a 3m1f handicap chase and Tom Scu rides our six year old.  He is having his first run for 171 days.  He has some fair form and would not be without a chance. 

Tom has picked up some good outside rides which include Casino Markets in the 3.30, Solstice Star in the 4.40 and finally River Wylde in the 5.15.  There is great prize money on offer throughout the card and even the worst two races still have £10,000 up for grabs.  There is also a good flat card at Doncaster.  The 3.50 race is a Group 1 worth £200,000 in prize money.  Aidan O’Brien has three of the 10 runners and there has been money around all week for Yucatan with Ryan Moore in the saddle.

Cheltenham have re-sited their second last fence, they have moved it 8 metres nearer to the finish and so further away from the bend.  There were just three fallers in the three chases held there yesterday and yes you guessed it they were all at this new sited fence!  It will be interesting to see what happens today.

Spurs are 21/20 to win at Bournemouth and West Ham 8/11 to beat Sunderland – a double for me!  In the Championship Aston Villa 23/20 and Newcastle 4/9.

The cricket between Bangladesh and England looks interesting.  England are building up a good looking lead in their second innings and I don’t think they will need a lot of runs.  The pitch will get worse and I think it will break up.  I see that Gareth Batty took a wicket.  The last time he took one was 11 years, 139 days ago.  The longest between taking a wicket was Len Hutton, 15 years, 194 days.  I am sure some of you will remember Len Hutton?!

Marriage means commitment, so does insanity.  Coincidence?!  Have a nice day.