Welsh National Day

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Chepstow, Kempton and Wetherby as well as a flat card from Wolverhampton.  The Chepstow and Kempton cards look excellent and David has a runner at Chepstow in the Welsh Grand National.  Bonanza Boy's name popped up a couple of times last week and I can't believe that the second of his successes in the race came 27 years ago.  Anyway, back to today and the big one is at 2.40pm and has attracted 20 runners over the 3m5 1/2f trip.  Katkeau is the Pond House runner and he has 11-6 to carry.  He fell last time out at Newcastle but he is capable of smart form as he showed when winning a valuable Uttoxeter handicap from a mark of 143 in April.  He will be a big price but I have certainly backed worse outsiders than him.

What a fantastic performance from Thistlecrack yesterday to land the King George at Kempton.  He had them all in trouble from a long way out and I cannot see any of them turning the form around come March so long as he puts in a clear round.  He was foot perfect yesterday so his opponents could be grasping at straws.  As usual Tom switched on the water works and was very emotional - the last time I saw him cry was when he had to buy a round of drinks!  Tom's late grandfather Michael won the race in 1956 aboard Rose Park and Tom added, "For the first time in my life I'm pretty speechless!"...that is another first!  He went on, "Between myself, my dad and grandfather, we have had 3,000 winners and Thistlecrack is the best of the lot" - a bold statement, but who am I to disagree?  It will certainly take a good one to beat him come March.

Meanwhile, Dell' Arca ran a good race in the closing handicap hurdle at Kempton, looking to have nicked the race until a mistake at the last halted all momentum and he finished third.  Nonetheless, this was certainly a step back in the right direction so let's hope that he can build on this.

*****

Chelsea were impressive as they beat Bournemouth 3-0 to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League, while breaking a club record with 12 successive wins.  The goal of the day came from Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryans with his back-heel volley.  He was off-side but with skill like that, who cares?!  I certainly won't be gloating about West Ham's 4-1 victory over Swansea!

You know that tingly feeling you get when you like somebody?  Well, that's your common sense leaving your body!  Have a nice day...

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