Runners At Newton, Fontwell

                 ***UPDATE***
Heure de Gloire N/R Fontwell 5.00pm

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Newton Abbot, Kelso and Fontwell, a flat card from Chester and an all-weather flat fixture from Kempton.  David has three runners today; Romain de Senam at Newton Abbot and Heure de Gloire and Ben Lillly at Fontwell.  Romain de Senam runs in the 3m2f handicap chase at 4.00pm and he finished an excellent runner-up in a similar contest at Uttoxeter on Saturday and is 4lbs 'well-in' compared to future handicaps.  David Noonan retains the ride and he looks to have a good chance if this race does not come too soon.

Over at Fontwell, Heure de Gloire contests the 2m3f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 5.00pm.  She was a brave winner last time at Ffos Las but she is 7lbs higher this afternoon.  She stays this longer trip and should be thereabouts again and has each-way claims in an open-looking contest with Philip Armson in the saddle.

Ben Lilly runs in the maiden hurdle at 5.35pm for the David Pipe Racing Club.  A multiple winner at staying trips on the flat, he showed ability over hurdles when placed at Taunton and Newbury before disappointing last time.  Cheek pieces are applied for the first time and if he can reproduce the promise of his first couple of efforts, he should have decent each-way prospects under Tom Scudamore.

There is an interesting card from Chester today with the Cheshire Vase, traditionally a useful trial for the Derby taking place.  There are only four runners and it looks far from a vintage renewal, although there are a couple of very promising types involved.

Red Happy ran a great race to finish second in the Norfolk National at Fakenham yesterday, being beaten only a couple of lengths under topweight.  He would probably be better over a slightly shorter trip and reverting to a right-handed track, but there was no disgrace in this effort, trying to concede weight to the entire field.  Our other runner, Abaya du Mathan pulled up and would certainly benefit from dropping in trip.

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Liverpool survived a scare last night in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal.  Their two goal advantage from the home leg was wiped out before half-time, although the status-quo was maintained in the second half with three goals from the visitors, who won 5-2 on aggregate.

Manchester City are in action tonight and they face a tough task away to Real Madrid.  City carry a one goal advantage into the tie having won the home tie 4-3, although those three away goals may be problematic for them.  If they were to succeed, it would set up an all-English final for the second consecutive year.

I see reports have emerged that two of VW's most prestigious brands are set to enter Formula One.  Porsche are expected to form an alliance with Red Bull at some point, whilst Audi could potentially buy out an existing team, with the likes of Alfa Romeo likely to be amongst the favourites to sell.  Their inclusion should only increase the competitiveness of the sport and can only be considered good news.

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What was Beethoven's favourite fruit?  A ba-na-na-naaaaaa.