Fontwell Runner

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Wetherby, Chepstow and Yarmouth while there are jumps fixtures from Southwell and Fontwell.  David has one runner today as Work contests the 5.50pm race at Fontwell, a conditional jockeys' mares' handicap hurdle over 2m5 1/2f.  The filly won a couple of times on the flat at distances of around two miles and could yet improve over timber.  David Noonan is able to ride in this race and claims a useful 3lbs off her back and she could go well.

Magie du Ma finished fourth at Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon.  She did get badly hampered when a couple fell in front of her, even so she picked up over £1,000 for finishing fourth and should drop a few pounds in the handicap.  She is certainly capable of winning races.

We are supposed to be at the height of the flat season yet the most valuable meeting of the day yesterday was at Newton Abbot.  A big pat on the back for my local track - I have said it before and will no doubt say it again, they are an excellent example of how a smaller track should be run.

There are some interesting prices for the Irish Derby...just look at Epsom hero Wings Of Eagles.  He was 40/1 when landing our Derby but is now only 5/2 to land the Irish equivalent.  Even so, I still think I would rather side with Epsom third Cracksman who showed distinct signs of inexperience yet still kept on really well to finish close up - he is also 5/2.  Cracksman can only improve - I just wonder who will be aboard Wings Of Eagles?

How can you name a horse 'Horsey Mchorseface'?  He won his first race at the weekend at Cessnock and has a big following in Australia.  Having said that, Martin once had a horse called Chester's Nap...I can still recall the commentator at Newton Abbot saying that Chester's Nap was tailed off.  Martin thought it was hilarious and so did most of the crowd!

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England's cricketers take on New Zealand this morning at 10.30am on Sky Sports.  England are too short to back at 1/2 and I think the sides are more evenly matched than that.  A small interest on New Zealand at 15/8 could be the call.

The England football team were on Woodbury Common at the Commando training centre.  It looks like a hard to course to negotiate and even harder in the winter when the lakes are frozen and the ground has a frost in it.  I have not been round it but have watched from my car with the heater on!

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Take my advice...I'm not using it!

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