Trainers Table

Today there is a jumps meeting at Hereford and two flat meetings a Newcastle and Kempton. They race in Ireland on the all-weather at Dundalk. The stable does not have any runners but David Noonan is in action with two rides at Hereford and is on board the favourite in the 2.30pm novices chance, Saint Segal for Jane Williams. He looks to have a good chance of having a winner.

Yesterday, entries closed for some of the first Cheltenham Festival races. There was none for us but we did give the Gold Cup serious consideration for Remastered but decided against it in the end. The handicapper has put him up six pounds for his win at Kempton over Christmas which has him on a rating of 152 over fences. I think there still could be more improvement to come from our ten year old but that still leaves him a few pounds short of the very top table. David discussed all the options with his owners, Garth and Anne and it was decided there are plenty of better opportunities for him. The Ultima handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a race we have done well in in the past is under consideration as is the Grand National. A run over hurdles next is also a possible and there are plenty of nice staying chases that could be options outside of the big Festivals.

I see that Shishkin received entries in the Ryanair chase and the Gold Cup but not the Champion Chase so he will definitely be stepping up in distance. Willie Mullins already has the three favourites for the races that closed yesterday. Energumene is 4/6 for the Champion Chase, Allaho 13/8 for the Ryanair and Galopin Des Champs 13/8 for the Gold Cup. A lot can happen between now and March but the Irish already look to be very strong in a lot of the races which you have come to expect.

Yesterday the Racing Post tweeted the GB jumps trainers championship as of the 3rd January. It is great we are currently in sixth place. With more winners than last season already and more prize money won we have had a great season so far and just need to keep it going.

I watched a bit of the Arsenal against Newcastle game last night. Arsenal looked good right from the start but Newcastle withstood the pressure and played some nice football if their own at times.  It finished 0-0 in the end and it looks to me like Arsenal need a clinical striker.  They play some good football but were just lacking the killer instinct at vital times.  I was impressed by Newcastle's energy and work rate right up until the final whistle.  It was also a good night for my team, Manchester United and they beat Bournemouth 3-0.  I was clicking between watching the football and the darts last night.  It was the World Championship Final and what a match between Van Gerwen and Michael Smith.  The experts are saying one of the legs of the match is one of the best of all-time, Van Gerwen had a chance to win it with nine darts but missed the final double, only for Smith to then come to the oche and win it with nine darts.  I am no darts expert but this does not really happen!  The game was fantastic and Smith went on to win the thrilling match and be crowned World Champion.  

There are another four Premier League games this evening. Nottingham Forrest visit Southampton, Leeds are at home to West Ham, there is a Midlands derby with Villa against Wolves and Crystal Palace are at home to Tottenham.

Dad: “what’s the lion and the witch doing in your wardrobe?”

Son: “it’s Narnia business”.

Have a nice day.