One Runner At Worcester

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Thirsk and Worcester, an all-weather flat card from Kempton and a jumps meeting from Worcester.  David has one runner today as Story Of Friends (pictured above) contests the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Worcester at 4.00pm.  A good second on his seasonal reappearance, a wind operation will hopefully aid his finishing effort.  All of his wins under rules have come on good ground so conditions should be ideal for him and he has each-way claims under Fergus Gillard.  It is a very competitive race with seven of the eight runner field with odds between 7/2 and 15/2.

Godolphin could well have another superstar on their hands following the victory of Native Trail in the National Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.  In giving the previously unbeaten Point Lonsdale a thorough drubbing, he was providing probably the best piece of two year old form seen this season.

Things weren't quite so conclusive in France, where the Prix Neil, one of the most important Arc Trials, produced a bunch finish that will likely have little impact on the ante-post market.

We welcomed members of the David Pipe Racing Club to Pond House yesterday for their annual stable visit and we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day to entertain our guests.  It was a terrific day and we have had some great feedback.  The club offers a lot of fun for members at a value price.  You can find more information on how to join here...

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Liverpool were impressive in dismantling Leeds 3-0 yesterday afternoon and in so doing, joining Manchester United and Chelsea at the top of the table.  Obviously, it is still very early days, but the signs are that it is going to be a competitive season with some good looking sides.

There was drama in the Italian Grand Prix yesterday with Max Verstappen parking his car on top of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.  The double retirement meant that the status quo was maintained in the championship, although it did leave the door open for Daniel Ricciardo to lead home a McLaren 1-2 - the first victory for the great marque for almost a decade.

It looks like another season of woe if you are a Minnesota Vikings fan.  In what should probably have been one of the easiest games on their schedule this season, they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  Trailing 21-7 early due to a raft of ill-disciplined penalties, they did well to force the game into overtime at 24-24 with the final kick of the game.  After getting themselves into a winning position, they literally threw the game away with a fumble from Dalvin Cook with less than two minutes to play.

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What do you call a large African mammal with long hair and sandals? A hippie-potamus.