Under Both Codes

   American Sniper runs at Kempton Today

Today we have two runners, one on the flat and one over hurdles.  Talap runs at Windsor on the level over 1m2f with Tom Queally on board at 4.55pm. This handicap divided and we look to have a good chance at about four best in the betting in the field of nine.  We were unlucky in running at Lingfield last week and Cieren Fallon thought he would have won had he not got badly hampered inside the final furlong.  He wouldn’t have been far away but for that trouble and a repeat of that performance would see him go close as this represents a slight drop in class.  My only hope is they do not get too much rain but fingers crossed he will handle it okay.

American Sniper runs over hurdles at Kempton in the 5.20pm novices event with Jack Tudor in the saddle.  He is had a good season, winning twice and being places several times as well.  I see he just heads the market for favouritism in this race and he should run well.  He does have to bounce back from a below par effort at Exeter last time but I would put a line through that run as too bad to be true and I think he will like the track and conditions today and he has an excellent chance.  He has had a little break since that Exeter run and he is in good form at home.

Alongside racing at Windsor and Kempton today they have plenty of runners up at Hexham for their jumps fixture while they also race at Pontefract on the flat.  In Ireland they race on the level at Naas.  We are also on the eve of the Punchestown Festival which kicks off tomorrow.  While we don’t have any runners over in Ireland this year it is always a meeting I enjoy watching.  I was lucky enough to be there last year but will be tuning into the TV this time around.

Yesterday Shot Boii did not run at Plumpton, he set off for the races but turned around mid-journey after David made him a non-runner because of the ground.  The track received a deluge of rain, 24mm in the past 24 hours and officials were forced to call an inspection due to standing water on the track.  The course did pass it’s 11.30am check but it is always a worry about false ground after this much rain in such a short space of time and David decided we would wait for another day.

In the football Manchester United beat Brighton on penalties to go through to the FA Cup Final.  The game was not that exciting and finished goalless after extra time, each team scored their first five penalties and it then went to sudden death.  Brighton were first to go in the shoot out and unfortunately Solly March was first to miss.  Lindelof then scored for Manchester United and put them through 7-6.  United will now face Man City in the final back at Wembley and while it is great to be in the final I am already worried how we might get on!  United are playing better at the moment but I think we are still a long way behind City's level but it is progress throughout the season and you never know, anything can happen!  There are no Premiership Football matches this evening.

I didn’t play too badly in my golf competition yesterday and made the top ten finishing in ninth out of 27.  I played to my handicap mark so now I just have to try and improve my game a little more!  I didn’t make it to the point to point yesterday but am looking forward to my first trip to Windsor this afternoon.

What did Delaware?  Maybe a New Jersey?  I don’t know, but Alaska! Happy Monday!