Eden Wins At Ffos Las

                         ***UPDATE***
                         Wolverhampton
                       Ocean Heights N/R

It was a good weekend for the yard with five of our six runners reaching the frame, with Eden du Houx (pictured above) running out a game winner of the 2m novices' handicap chase at Ffos Las yesterday afternoon.  On Saturday Remastered ran very well to finish a close third in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier, being headed only close home.  Meanwhile, over at Aintree Via Dolorosa ran a cracking race to finish fourth in the Grand Sefton handicap chase over the Grand National fences, leading until approaching the last on his British debut.  He gave David Noonan a real thrill and looks sure to be winning races on these shores on this basis.

Yesterday at Ffos Las, Eden du Houx managed the drop back to the minimum trip without issue as he stayed on well to record a brave success in an eventful race.  He was last seen in action running in the 3m6f NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and his stamina certainly came to the fore here under Tom Scudamore.  Poker Play also ran creditably to finish runner-up in the 3m handicap hurdle at the Welsh track, whilst Gwencily Berbas was third in the veteran's handicap chase at Sandown.

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Carlisle and Kempton and all-weather flat cards from Wolverhampton and Newcastle.  David has one runner today on the flat as Ocean Heights contests the 1m1½f maiden at 3.20pm at Wolverhampton.  A bumper winner over two miles, he ran extremely well when runner-up last time at Kempton behind a hot favourite and a reproduction of that would give him a good chance under Dougie Costello, although the shorter trip could be a concern.

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Manchester City moved up to second in the Premier League after beating local rivals Manchester United 2-0 on Saturday.  Meanwhile, West Ham moved up to third with an exciting 3-2 win over Liverpool yesterday afternoon.  The Hammers are flying at present, not just at home, but also in the Europa League.

There is T20 cricket action this afternoon between India and Namibia, although it counts for little with both sides officially out of the competition.  New Zealand and Pakistan both won over the weekend with the former playing England (who lost to South Africa on Saturday) in the semi-finals, whilst Pakistan will play Australia.

Max Verstappen ran out a facile winner of the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, beating Lewis Hamilton by over 16 seconds to stretch his title advantage to 19 points with just four races left.  Mexico was expected to suit the Red Bull car and despite Mercedes securing the front row of the grid, Verstappen was far too good in the race.  The next race at Brazil is also likely to suit the Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton's chances of winning an eighth championship are beginning to look slim.

Neil Robertson lifted the Steve Davis trophy for the English Open snooker yesterday in Milton Keynes after staging a great comeback to beat John Higgins 9-8 having trailed 8-6.  The same fate befell Higgins just three weeks ago when he was two frames ahead with three to play in the Northern Ireland Open.

Finally, time for the Monday morning moan...my beloved Minnesota Vikings played very well against a good Baltimore Ravens side on the road, although sadly the result was much the same.  The Vikes were much the better team for considerable parts of the match and should have put the game to bed having led by 11 points in the second half.  However, as is their want, they blew the lead and lost in overtime.  They remain the most frustrating side in the NFL, capable of beating anyone, but capable of losing to anyone too!

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How does a penguin build a house?  Igloos it together!