Seven Runners

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Ascot, Haydock and Taunton and all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  David has seven runners today with Remastered contesting the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and Kingofthewest, Kalzari, Leoncavallo, Nordic Combined, Ramses de Teillee and Miss M running at Taunton.

Remastered contests the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock at 2.35pm.  He was going very well when falling four out in the Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury in November and again ran well when second in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock last time over course and distance.  The weights are compressed by Royal Pagaille which means that Remastered only has 10-7 to carry and he looks to have leading claims under Tom Scudamore.

Kingofthewest makes his debut for the stable in the 2m3f maiden hurdle at 12.58pm.  He showed a good deal of promise when runner-up in an Irish point-to-point, form that has been franked since.  He has schooled well at home and looks to have each-way prospects with Fergus Gillard taking 3lbs off his back.

Kalzari contests the 2m½f handicap hurdle at 1.33pm.  She was not beaten at all far over 2m3f at the track last time and this shorter trip could help.  She is 2lbs lower this afternoon and is another with each-way claims with David Noonan in the saddle.

We are doubly represented in the seniors’ handicap hurdle over 2m3f at 2.43pmp.  Leoncavallo has finished in the frame in all five of his starts this season, including over course and distance and this admirable type should be bang there again with Fergus Gillard in the saddle.  Our other runner is Nordic Combined and it would be no surprise to see him go well either.  His last two successes (including at this track) have been from higher marks and whilst quirky, he has the ability to get involved with Philip Armson claiming a further 7lbs.

Ramses de Teillee (pictured above) runs in the Portman Cup, a 3m4½f handicap chase at 3.15pm.  He has a little bit to find on official figures but is a tough horse to pass on his day and a thorough test of stamina like this will suit him well.  David Noonan rides.

Our final runner is Miss M, who contests the 2m3f handicap hurdle at 3.53pm.  A dual-winner over hurdles, she would need to improve on what she has shown so far this season, but she has dropped to a reasonable looking mark.  Philip Armson takes 7lbs off her back.

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There are five Premiership matches taking place this afternoon with the pick looking to be Manchester United versus West Ham.  Both teams are vying for the all-important final place in Europe, but I fancy United just to edge it with home field advantage.

British interest in the singles event at the Australian Open tennis came to an end when Dan Evans was spanked 6-4 6-1 6-1 by ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

*****

Why did the journalist go to the ice cream shop?  Because she wanted a good scoop.