Two Newbury Runners

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Kelso, Doncaster and Newbury, whilst there is an all-weather flat fixture from Southwell.  David has two runners today; Panic Attack and Nordic Combined.  Panic Attack (pictured above) runs in the mares' handicap hurdle over two miles in Newbury's 12.20pm race.  She disappointed last time out in a hot race at Cheltenham but had previously won a soft ground Uttoxeter mares' maiden hurdle in decisive fashion and must go well here with conditions to suit.  She looks to be the one to beat under Tom Scudamore.

Our other runner is Nordic Combined who contests the 2m4½f handicap hurdle at 2.05pm.  He was in the process of running a very good race at Cheltenham earlier in the month when impeded by a faller at the last.  He had previously looked unlucky not to beat Calva d'Auge at Taunton on his previous start and is 3lbs better of this afternoon, yet is double the price.  His stamina at this trip is not assured, although he has always looked as though he will stay this far.  He has a nice racing weight of 10-4 less Fergus Gillard's 5lbs claim and has each-way claims once again.

There was a thrilling finish to the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown yesterday afternoon with A Plus Tard coming late to deny Kemboy in the dying strides, putting himself into Gold Cup contention.

The weather continues to play havoc with the fixture list with Haydock's card for tomorrow abandoned due to snow, whilst Uttoxeter on Thursday is waterlogged.  I hate to say it, but Cheltenham may be struggling ahead of their New Year's Day fixture too with parts of the track currently waterlogged.  Let's hope for a few drying days in the interim.

*****

There are a few Premiership football matches to look forward to today with the most interesting possibly the 8.00pm kick-off between Manchester United and Wolves.  United may not be winning pretty, but they are winning and victory here would put them behind only Liverpool in the standings.  In terms of sheer competitiveness, the Burnley versus Sheffield United games looks the tightest with both teams only scoring eight goals from their fifteen matches.  This should be another tight one.

*****

A cowboy walks into a saloon and orders a whisky.  As he starts drinking, he notices that the bar is empty.  "Where is everybody?" he asks the barman.

"They are all at the hanging" the bartender replies.

"Who are they hanging?" asks the cowboy.

"Paperbag Pete" the barman replies.

"What sort of name is Paperbag Pete?" the cowboy asks.

"Well, his hat, coat, shirt and trousers are all made out of brown paper bags, hence the name" says the barman.

"What is he being hung for?" asks the cowboy.

"Rustling!" replies the barman.

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