Pieces Perfect At Abbot!

Pick Up The Pieces (pictured above) provided the stable with another winner yesterday when landing the bumper at Newton Abbot in very good style.  Making all the running under a positive ride from Tom Scudamore, he showed a willing attitude in the straight when challenged and was always doing enough to hold off the runner-up who had already shown ability on its previous start.  He was conceding 10lbs to the second and the pair were well clear of the remainder so this was clearly a promising start from our six year old. He was bred by his owner William Harrison-Allan and he was giving us our seventh success of the new campaign and it is good to see the horses continue in good form.

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Newton Abbot and flat fixtures from Ayr, Brighton, Beverley and Newbury.  David runs Percy Street in the amateur riders' 2m1f handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot at 7.15pm.  He has dropped to a reasonable mark 8lbs lower than his last winning rating and 4lbs lower than when beaten only 3½ lengths on his penultimate hurdles outing.  He is partnered by the very experienced Martin McIntyre and he has gone well at the track in the past.  He probably wouldn't want the ground easing any further but he is capable of outrunning his odds.  Meanwhile, Lady Reset is a non-runner at Newbury this afternoon.

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There is the small matter of the England versus Czech Republic European Cup football match tonight to decide who finishes top of their group.  England qualify no matter what the result of the game, although the winner of the group will get the runner-up in the group containing France, Germany and Portugal in the last sixteen.  Looking at those names, I'm not sure that it is much of an advantage.  I will be cheering for the three lions nonetheless.  Meanwhile Scotland take on Croatia tonight and they need a win to get through to the knockout stages.

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What kind of exercise do lazy people do?  Diddly squats!