Bumper Day At Newton

                       ***UPDATE***
                    ONEONECHOP N/R
                       Newton Abbot

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Ludlow, Newton Abbot and Carlisle, whilst there is an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton.  The good news is that after a precautionary inspection, Newton Abbot gets the go ahead to race, although conditions will be very testing with the ground currently described as heavy.  We had 35mm of rain overnight and 21mm the day previous.  The winter ground has definitely arrived at Newton Abbot, although at Ludlow the going is officially good (and watered!).

David has five runners today at Newton Abbot; Do Ya Feel Lucky, Paricolor, Itacare, Oneonechop and Dellaway.  Do Ya Feel Lucky (pictured above) contests the 3m2½f mares' handicap hurdle at 1.38pm.  A winner last time out at Worcester, she has some form on soft ground in Ireland and shapes as though the trip should suit.  She looks to have each-way claims under Tom Scudamore.

Paricolor runs in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle at 2.13pm.  A multiple winner over hurdles, he remains 11lbs higher than his last success in handicap company and therein lies the problem.  Trip and ground should suit and he will give his running, but the suspicion remains that he needs some help from the handicapper.  Fergus Gillard keeps the ride.

Itacare contests the 2m5f handicap chase at 3.23pm.  A winner on very soft ground over fences at Auteuil earlier in the season, he finished third on his British debut at Fontwell, shaping better than the bare result, having taken on the favourite from a long way out.  Conditions should suit and he is 5lbs lower in the weights today.  He looks to have place claims with Tom Scudamore in the saddle.

Ononechop runs in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 3.58pm.  A multiple winner in France, he has been placed over course and distance, including from a 7lbs higher mark.  He needs to improve on most recent outings to figure here however.

Our final runner is Dellaway, who runs in the concluding bumper at 5.05pm.  A well-related gelding out of a half-sister to the stable's popular Dell' Arca, he goes nicely at home.  It is difficult to assess his chances as there is little form to go on and conditions will be very testing by this time.  Tom Scudamore takes the ride.

*****

Manchester United completed an incredible comeback to beat Atalanta 3-2 in their Champions' League match last night having trailed by 2-0 at halftime, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winner just nine minutes from time.  Chelsea were also successful, handing a convincing 4-0 beating to Malmo FF.

It is the turn of West Ham tonight as they are in Europa Cup action against Belgian side, Genk.

*****

To the person who stole my glasses...I will find you, I have contacts!