Fourth On The Flat

Ranco ran a decent race at Wolverhampton yesterday evening, narrowly missing the placings in the 1m4f flat handicap but belying his odds of 40/1.  He was on the receiving end of some bumping and barging at the start and was forced to come wide into the straight but this was another step forward and he is clearly capable of winning something similar.  Sans Logique broke well and held a good position throughout but weakened in the straight.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Newcastle, Warwick and Fakenham as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton.  There are no runners from the Pond House team today with our next runners likely to be at Wetherby (and possibly Ffos Las) on Thursday.

The jockeys title is really tightening up now after Harry Skelton rode a four-timer at Stratford yesterday.  Harry Cobden is not entirely out of the equation yet as he rode a treble at Wincanton and trails leader Brian Hughes by eleven winners.  Despite Skelton's hot run of form, I am a little surprised that he is favourite.  He has had just 41 outside rides and will therefore be relying almost entirely on his brother during the closing weeks of the season, whilst Brian Hughes has the support of a wealth of different yards.

*****

Wales play the Czech Republic in their World Cup qualifier tonight and they look to have their hands full.  The Czechs won their opening match and then drew with Belgium who are the number one seeds in the group.  Although early days in the tournament, following defeat in their opening match, the Welsh will not be wanting to lose touch with the leaders and give themselves too much to do.

*****

I have just arrived back from a pleasure trip.  I took my mother-in-law to the airport!