Dell Bids For Hat-Trick

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Newbury, Ludlow and Sedgefield and an all-weather flat fixture from Chelmsford City.  David has two runners today as Bumpy Johnson and Dell' Arca (pictured above) compete at Newbury.  Paricolor, who was due to run at Ludlow, is a non-runner.

Bumpy Johnson is our first runner as he contests the 2m½f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 12.20pm.  The impressive winner of a Fontwell bumper last season, he produced a couple of good efforts over timber thereafter and makes his handicap debut today.  Fergus Gillard is good value for his 3lbs allowance and he looks to have decent claims.

Our other runner is ever popular veteran, Dell' Arca, who contests the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier at Newbury at 2.30pm.  He won this race in 2017 and 2020, so clearly loves the prevailing conditions.  He is another year older and 3lbs higher than last year, but should give a good account once again.

Last Quarter was far from disgraced in the bumper at Chepstow yesterday.  In what looked to be a useful contest, he finished seventh trying to concede weight all round.  The winner of a 2m4f bumper in Ireland on heavy ground, he already looks to want more of a test of stamina and remains a nice prospect for the future.

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There was a good night in Europe for British teams last night as Manchester City beat Bruges 4-1, whilst Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0.  City sit atop their group and need just one more point to qualify for the last 16 of the competition, whilst Liverpool have already secured their place in the knockout rounds with two games still to play.

It is the turn of the Europa League tonight and British interest is represented by Leicester, West Ham, Rangers and Celtic.  The Hammers lead their group and are looking strong as they face bottom placed Genk.  Things are tougher for the other three sides who are all sitting in third place in their respective groups and desperate for results tonight.

New Zealand and India both recorded comfortable wins in the T20 cricket world cup yesterday and the competition continues today with Australia favourites to beat Bangladesh, although the other match between West Indies and Sri Lanka could be an exciting affair.

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I went to the doctor's the other day because I kept hearing buzzing in my ears.  She told me not to worry as it was just a bug that was going around.