Donny, Wolver Runners

A cold start to the day with another white frost on the ground and temperatures just below freezing.  There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Doncaster and Huntingdon and all-weather flat cards from Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  David has two runners today; Heure de Gloire who runs at Doncaster and Trusty Scout at Wolverhampton.  Heure de Gloire runs in the 3m handicap hurdle at 4.00pm.  She was a winner in France, but is yet to score in this country, albeit in some very competitive races over two miles.  She has dropped 5lbs since last time and whilst she needs to improve to figure, this new trip could bring about some improvement.  Philip Armson takes the ride and claims 7lbs off her back.

Trusty Scout contests the 1m4f claimer at 5.45pm.  He ran well to finish third in a handicap at this track on his penultimate start and was not beaten at all far last time.  He has a bit to do on official figures, although ratings in contests such as these can be misleading.  He is in good order, Laura Pearson gets on with him and he is not without a chance, although with only seven runners, the bookmakers only pay two places.

Major Robinson ran a solid race to finish third in the 3m novices' handicap hurdle at Wetherby yesterday, beaten only a shade over four lengths.  You couldn't say that he didn't stay the trip here - he travels really well throughout his races but just struggles once under pressure.  He has run a number of decent races now and seems versatile with regard to trip.  A race of this nature should come his way.

A couple of ante-post favourites for the Cheltenham Festival were deposed yesterday.  Klassical Dream was beaten into fourth at 1/3 in the Galmoy Hurdle and is now out to 6/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle in March, whilst Ferny Hollow, favourite for the Arkle has met with a setback and will miss the festival altogether.

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Rafa Nadal continues to roll back the years in the Australian Open, reaching the final courtesy of a four sets victory over Matteo Berrettini.  He will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Daniil Medvedev in the final.  Meanwhile, in the womens' final, local hero Ash Barty looks a warm favourite to beat Danielle Collins to the title.

Judd Trump and Mark Selby looked to be in good order as they whitewashed their opponents in the German Open snooker.  Kyren Wilson had to work hard to beat Craig Steadman 5-4.  There should be a cracking match in store this afternoon with Yan Bingtao taking on Mark Selby.  Coverage is on Eurosport.

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Which hotel do mice stay in?  The Stilton