Trials Day

Un Temps Pour Tout runs in the Cleeve Hurdle

There are five meetings today, jumps cards at Cheltenham, Doncaster and Uttoxeter plus flat cards at Kempton and Lingfield.  The biggest racing is of course from Cheltenham and David has four runners there, Champers On Ice, Ballynagour, Un Temps Pour Tout and Max do Brazil.  This looks like a Cheltenham festival card!  Champers on Ices runs in the 12.35pm 2m5f novice handicap chase.  There are 14 runners and it looks a very competitive field.  He was second over three miles last time out, only his second chase start.  The drop back in trip is a slight concern but we have had a nice drop of rain overnight and it could be a test of stamina this afternoon.  I think he has each way claims.  

Ballynagour runs in the 1.10pm 2m5f handicap chase and he is a 33/1 chance.  He has pulled up the last twice and so needs to improve but he usually is a bit better in the spring so fingers crossed he might show some of his old sparkle.  I think Aso trained by Venetia Williams could be the one in this race.  Un Temps Pour Tout runs in the Cleeve hurdle at 4.00pm, a 3 mile hurdle.  He is a 11/1 chance in the Racing Post.  He was a good third last time out behind Unowhatimeanharry at Ascot so we will need to improve to turn the form around with him.  Max Do Brazil runs in the last race of the day at 4.35pm, a 2m1f handicap hurdle.  This is his Pond House debut, he does have some solid form in France and has won on soft ground.  With only 10st 7lb on his back we hope he can make a pleasing British debut.  Tom Scu rides all four of David's runners.

Tom also obviously rides Thistlecrack in the 2.15pm Cotswold Chase.  I know he is really excited about riding him again.  I think a clear round of jumping and he is home and hosed.  David's horses ran okay at Taunton yesterday without winning.  Vincent's Forever was third and Celestial Path fourth in the opening novice hurdle.  Tom got some stick on the TV about his ride of Celestial Path but as I said yesterday there is a doubt about whether this horse actually stays 2 miles.  I thought he rode it okay.  Ramses De Teille finished third, beaten about four lengths and this Irish point to point winner should win soon.

Away from Cheltenham today there is a cracking card up at Doncaster.  Mr Mullins and Mr Elliott both bring horses over from Ireland and it should be a great watch.

Arsene Wenger has been fined £25,000 and a four match touchline ban.  The money will be a push over for the Arsenal manager and the only way you will stop this type of behaviour is to deduct the team points in my view.  I bet this would stop their behaviour pretty quickly!  There are some good football matches today, Crystal Palace play Man City and Southampton versus Arsenal.  There looks to be some short priced ones to roll up - Chelsea, Liverpool, Middlesborough and Tottenham.  They won't make you rich but you will have a bit of interest.

My wife said to me yesterday, "I wish I had a pound for every time you've called me fat, I said you have!"  Have a nice day.