Can Razzle Dazzle?

It's the start of Newton Abbot's big two day festival this afternoon and it features the big handicap hurdle that David has farmed in recent years.  He has four runners in the race, including 2009 and 2010 winner Raslan, who bids for the hat-trick this afternoon, although he has a 10lbs higher mark to deal with.  Vertige Dore, who was robbed of a chase in the steward's room at Worcester last time reverts to hurdles, as does Laustra Bad who won a couple of handicaps at the backend of last season, and Bathwick Man who won at the track last time.  David certainly appears to have a strong hand in his bid to win the race for the fourth consecutive year (remember he also won it in 2008 with Indian Pipe Dream).

Looking through the birthday list, I notice that it is Timmy Murphy's 37th birthday today...Timmy takes the ride aboard Vertige Dore for David in the big race and we would all be delighted if he could manage a birthday winner!

*****

Hayley Turner is once again the toast of British racing having won her second Group One race of the season.  Only last month she became only the second woman to win a Group One race on the flat in this country when steering Dream Ahead to victory in the July Cup at Newmarket (following Alex Greave's dead-heat in the Nunthorpe in 1997).  Yesterday she landed another Group One sprint aboard Margot Did for guv'nor Michael Bell at York.  It is a wonderful performance and she is a great ambassador for our sport.  Well done Hayley!

It is the final day of York's four day meeting this afternoon and it culminates with the Ebor - a fiercely competitive 1m6f handicap.  In the past it has often been something of a trial for three year old's to test their St Leger credentials, but I notice there is not a single representative from the Classic generation.  There are some interesting runners nonetheless, and at 7/1 the field it is as competitive as ever.