Robins Runs At Wetherby

There are three meetings taking place this weekend with a jumps card from Wetherby supported by a couple of all-weather flat cards from Southwell and Newcastle.  David has one runner today as Major Robinson (pictured above) makes the 267 mile journey to Wetherby to contest the 3m novices' handicap hurdle at 4.17pm.  The winner of a bumper in Ireland, he is yet to get his head in front over hurdles, although he has been running creditably of late and is now 4lbs lower than when beaten only 7 lengths at Exeter on his penultimate start, having looked the likeliest winner in the straight.  His stamina is not assured, but he travels well and has each-way claims under Tom Scudamore if getting home.

Over in Ireland, Klassical Dream, who is favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, continues his preparation for the Festival in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.  He produced a good performance on his seasonal reappearance to defeat reigning stayers' champion Flooring Porter and this looks a shoo-in on official figures.

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There were a few shocks in the first round of the German Open snooker yesterday with Mark Williams, Stephen Maguire and Neil Robertson all suffering defeats.  The action continues with Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Mark Allen among the big names in action today.

The Australian Open tennis continues today and it is ladies' semi-finals day with world number one Ash Barty in action in front of her home fans.  She looked good in the quarters, dropping only two games and seems the one to beat from here on in.

Did you know?...In Finland there is a wife-carrying competition.  That sounds like a tremendous sport where the winner receives his wife's weight in beer!

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Why should you never trust a pig with a secret?  Because it's bound to squeal.