Vaticane Victorious!

There was an excellent weight carrying performance from La Vaticane at Doncaster yesterday as she carried 12-2 to victory in the three mile handicap chase under a well judged ride from Tom Scudamore.  She jumped well once again and stayed on well for a comfortable success.  She saw the trip out well to record her first success over three miles and this should certainly open up a few more opportunities for her.  Our other two runners on the day, Work and The Two Amigos both finished fourth and showed enough to suggest that they should be up to winning races.

With the abandonment of Haydock this afternoon we are left with just one jumps card from our local track at Taunton as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Newcastle.  The temperatures were a little colder than expected around the yard overnight, but even so there are no problems anticipated ahead of Taunton's meeting where David has four runners; Citrus, Carqalin, Mango Cap and Abracadabra Sivola.  Now that he does not head north, stable jockey Tom Scudamore will be taking the rides aboard Mango and Abracadabra.

We are two-handed in the opening conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 1.00pm with Citrus and Carqalin partnered by David Noonan and Michael Heard respectively - they are both likely to start at big prices and need to improve on their most recent starts, although they are still only youngsters and less exposed than most.  Top weight Beau du Brizais looks to be the one they all have to beat.

Mango Cap contests the 2m7f novices' handicap chase at 2.30pm - this looks to be a hot little race with over £11,000 up for grabs.  He is a winner this term over hurdles and a return to that sort of form would see him go okay.  Our final runner of the day is Abracadabra Sivola who runs in the staying handicap chase at 3.30pm - he has the ability to be involved if putting his best foot forward.

Donald McCain completed a notable achievement yesterday when Kelso victor Lough Derg Jewel provided him with his 1,000th winner as a trainer.  I still fondly recall the time I met his father's legendary Grand National winner Red Rum in the ballroom at Pontins in Southport!

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The football tonight is between Everton and Hull.  Hull have been playing okay of late and have been a little unlucky - they can be backed at 10/3 and might be worth an interest.

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I always refuse to cut corners, which is why I lost my job as a carpenter!

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