End of the Year

      Herbert Park runs at Uttoxeter

There are four meetings today, jumps cards at Newbury, Uttoxeter and Warwick plus a flat card at Lingfield.  Tom Scu is dues to be riding and Warwick and Uttoxeter although at this early stage the weather could put pay to his plans with the fog meaning he cannot fly.  Fingers crossed it will lift.  The stable runs Saint John Henry at Warwick in the 2.10pm race.  Our six year old carries top weight of 11st 12lb less David Noonan's three pound claim.  He would have to improve on recent form but he has run well on this track last season so hopefully he can run well at an each way price.  David has two runners at Uttoxeter, Shotavodka in the 1.40pm 2m4f handicap hurdle.  He is a 10/1 chance in the Racing Post.  Herbert Park runs in the 2.15pm, a 2m4f novice limited handicap chase.  He is an 8/1 chance in the paper on his chasing debut.  He won first time out this season at Worcester over 2m7f so he stays well and is another who could run into the frame.

Mango Cap finished third at Taunton yesterday and I think he he had not made a mistake at the second last he would have been closer.  It was a good chasing debut and hopefully he can build on this.  It is the first time for a long time that there is no racing on normal TV.  I thought ITV would have started straight away with a good Newbury card but I suppose they know what they are doing!  They will be on air for the first time tomorrow from Cheltenham.

Happy Birthday to Bob Wheatley who gave Martin his first Cheltenham winner with Baron Blakeney - now that is a long time ago!  It is a shame that Richard Fahey was left on 198 winners for the year after drawing a blank at Newcastle yesterday.  Mark Johnston was just behind him having trained 194 in 2016.

I was watching the darts yesterday and the crowd seems to be getting more noisy and more colourful!  The big game in the football today is Liverpool versus Man City.  Liverpool are 13/10.  Arsenal, Burnley, Chelsea and Man United are all home wins for me.

My wife Jane says I am too lazy to even think for myself.  What does she mean?!  Have a nice day.