Plumpton, Catterick Runners

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Plumpton and Catterick as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton.  The stable has a runner at both National Hunt fixtures with Tom Scudamore travelling to Catterick to ride Batavir in the 3m1f novices' limited handicap chase at 3.10pm, while Work contests the 2m conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at Plumpton at 4.30pm.  This looks to be a drop in class for Batavir who was a winner over hurdles from a mark of 125 - he resumes over fences from a rating of 121 and with a clear round of jumping he should be in the shake-up.  Work finished third at the track last time out and will be partnered by David Noonan who's claim reduces her weight to 10-13 - she would not need to improve much to be involved.

I thought that Taws ran a very good race at Exeter yesterday afternoon when she gamely chased home 1/16 favourite Finian's Oscar in the Listed novices' hurdle.  The winner already has a mark of 149 so on this evidence, Taws looks a good thing to win over hurdles.  Meanwhile on the same card Mr Clarkson was pulled up in the opening contest after the bit slipped through his mouth so you can safely forget this run...I just wish my bookmaker would forget it too!  I went to Exeter yesterday for the first time in a while and I can't remember the last time I felt so cold and I never left the bar!

The Cheltenham Festival Preview nights all start up soon and Exeter will host theirs on 7th March - featuring on their panel are David, Philip Hobbs and Luke Harvey so there are at least two experts in attendance!  I will leave you to work out who the experts may be.

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I was watching the football between Leicester and Swansea yesterday and the defending champions clearly have big problems.  It looks like time they dropped some of their so-called star players as they are not performing anymore.  Talking of football, I find it incredible that the FA tests so few players for drugs...maybe they don't want to know the results.  It is about time they pulled their fingers out.

There is a good match on tonight between Bournemouth and Manchester City on Sky Sports at 8pm and City are a best price 6/13 - this looks a good opportunity for City to draw a bit closer to Chelsea who could only draw over the weekend.

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I was on a train the other day and told the conductor that I did not think much of the bunk beds.  He kindly pointed out that I was lying in the luggage rack!  Have a nice day...

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