More New Talent

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Worcesterand flat fixtures from Haydock, Goodwood, Bath and Catterick.  David has one runner today as Meep Meep Mag (pictured above, nearside) contests the 2m7f novices' hurdle at Worcester at 7.40pm.  She produced a creditable reappearance effort at the track a fortnight ago on her first start in 497 days and is certainly entitled to have improved for the outing.  The winner of an Irish point-to-point, she is likely to benefit for the longer trip this evening and she has a tremendous attitude.  This is a trappy race with some useful rivals in opposition, including a couple of previous winners.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle and she looks sure to run another solid race.

Awesomedude was far from disgraced on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen yesterday.  Although, he finished fifth, he was beaten only a total of 3½ lengths on this first try over timber behind some decent (and more experienced) rivals.  His jumping was not as slick as it has been at home, but he will certainly have learned plenty for this experience and looks sure to be winning over hurdles before long.

David was busy at the sales at Doncaster yesterday afternoon, adding a further three purchases to the one from the previous day.   They are smart chaser; Romain de Senam, dual flat winner Seventeen O Four and Flammarion.  Romain de Senam has been a fixture in many of the best handicap chases, whilst Seventeen O Four has done really well since switching to the turf on the flat, winning his last two starts, including when bolting up by 7½ lengths last time.  Flammarion is a bumper winner and hails from a tremendous family.  David has some lovely horses currently for sale, so if you would like to get involved in ownership at the yard, please do get in touch.  With owners allowed back on track and prize money returning to pre-Covid levels, there have been few better times to buy.

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Despite the limitations imposed by Covid, I am sure there will be plenty of glitz and glamour on show this weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix takes place.  Practice always takes place a day earlier ta the Principality circuit and both Red Bull and Ferrari looked good, topping the respective sessions.  Mercedes are bang there as well of course and it should be interesting come qualifying.  With it being a tight street circuit, it is almost impossible to overtake so a front row position is vital if you have any aspirations to success.  McLaren will be sporting a special one-off 'Gulf' livery for the race which looks fantastic, although handsome is as handsome does.

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How can you tell if a tree is a dogwood tree?  By it's bark!