Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Aintree and Ffos Las.  David has runners at both meetings with Grangeclare Glory and If The Cap Fits on duty at Aintree and Colony Queen, Abaya du Mathan and Bumpy Johnson running at Ffos Las.  Grangeclare Glory (pictured above) is the first of those as he contests the 3m½f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Aintree at 1.30pm.  He is 5lbs higher than when successful at Ffos Las on his penultimate start in April and has had a little break.  This is a wide-open contest and unfortunately, with the non-runner there are only three places for betting purposes.  He has each-way claims under Fergus Gillard.

If The Cap Fits is the Pond House runner in the 3m1f Vieux Lion Rouge veteran's handicap chase at 2.05pm.  A Grade 1 winner over hurdles in his younger days, he joined the team from the Doncaster Sales in May.  He looks to be on a fair mark compared with his hurdles form, so let's hope that he can replicate that sort of ability returned to the larger obstacles.  Philip Armson rides and takes 3lbs off his back.

Over at Ffos Las, Colony Queen runs in the mares' novices' hurdle at 1.45pm.  A multiple winner on the flat, she was unfortunate to unseat early on her hurdling debut at Uttoxeter earlier in the month.  She has schooled well at home since and would have each-way prospects with a clear round.  Tom Scudamore takes the ride.

Abaya du Mathan runs in the 2m3½f handicap chase at 2.18pm.  He wasn't disgraced when third from this mark at Plumpton earlier in the week, but would need to improve on that effort to feature here.  The stiffer track should suit and could help him do just that under Tom Scu.

Our final runner is Bumpy Johnson, who contests the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 3.30pm.  The impressive winner of a Fontwell bumper, he also has some decent placed form over hurdles.  Conditions should suit and he has each-way claims once again under Tom Scudamore.  It's a competitive day's racing, so let's hope that we can enjoy a winner.

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There are five Premiership matches taking place this afternoon with Tottenham against Newcastle looking to be the most competitive of them.  Newcastle have a good record against Spurs away from home and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if they were able to get something from this match.

The US Grand Prix takes place tonight, along with the Northern Ireland snooker final, so there is plenty for me to watch.  Mind you, I won't be bothering with the NFL this week...I can go to bed safe in the knowledge that the Vikings will emerge from their bye week still at the top of the NFC North division regardless of whether the Packers, Bears or Lions win, lose or draw.  I haven't been able to say that often over the last few years!

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I have decided to go into the tree surgery business.  I plan to start small and then branch out.