Sizing Gold!

           Gevrey Chambertin runs
           in the Midlands National

What a Festival has just finished at Cheltenham, especially if you are Irish!  Why don't they just move it to Ireland it would save a lot of travelling!  I suppose they do have Punchestown so the English will have to try and nick a few back although it will be tough!  Sizing John won the Gold Cup in good style for Jessica Harrington.  He was runner up 12 months ago in the Arkle to Douvan!  He is only seven and could still have some improvement to come.  Paul Nicholls won the Foxhunters but it is something that i think should not be allowed - professional trainers entering horses in this race, surely it should be for amateur's?  It was however great for Bryony Frost to win on Pacha Du Polder and brilliant tos ee her dad Jimmy and brother Hadden running up the Cheltenham hill behind her!  I thought she gave him a great ride and her dad and brother were very proud.

The Martin Pipe race was won by Champagne Classic trained by Gordon Elliott.  Remember Gordon learnt most of his trade here at Pond House.  With the results he has been getting he must have taken everything in that Martin said!  The Irish beat Britain 19-9 and Gordon finished top trainer at the Festival.  Top jockey was again Ruby Walsh.  It looks like a white wash to Ireland!

David has four runners today at three different meetings.  Poisoned Berry runs in the 4.35pm at Fontwell with David Noonan on board.  She has won twice this season and both her wins have come on good ground.  The drying ground and first time blinkers could help.  Gevrey Chambertin runs in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter at 3.35pm.  He unseated last time in the Eider at Newcastle when still going well.  If he see's the trip out okay he has the class to be in the shake up with Tom Scu in the saddle.  Tom also partners our bumper runner, Midnight Magic in the 5.50pm.  He should have learnt a lot from his first experience and it would be no surprise if he was a bit more streetwise this afternoon.  Mango Cap is David's fourth runner of the day at Kempton and Michael Heard takes the ride.  This is his third run over fences.  He ran well at Taunton on his chasing debut to finish third but was slightly disappointing at Ayr last time.  The return to a sharper track and better ground will help and although carrying top weight Michael takes off a handy five pounds.

I have had a quick look at the football.  Crystal Palace are 19/20 to beat Watford.  Everton 1/2 to beat Hull, Sunderland 8/5 to beat Burnley and West Ham 11/8 to beat Leicester.

Talking about Ireland at Cheltenham, surely they can't beat England in the rugby later?!  That game kicks off at 5pm on ITV.

American golfer Cody Cribble touched an alligator's tail to get it back into the water at Bay Hill in Florida.  I think I would have just played another ball!

I saw a bulrush in a library.  I thought that looks a good reed.  Have a nice day!