Fontwell Off!

We were due to have one runner today at Fontwell Worldwide Fury in the Bumper, but unfortunately the meeting was abandoned yesterday after more rainfall left the course un-raceable.  This is their second meeting in a row that Fontwell have lost, so they will be hoping for a drier spell, as does our horse as his last two intended engagements have been called off!  He holds an entry at Stratford on Monday so hopefully it will be third time lucky for our five year old!

There is just the one jumps meeting left today up at Catterick, while there is also one race meeting on the all-weather at Kempton as well.  There is no racing in Ireland today. 

Yesterday there was a ‘scratching’ stage for the Aintree Grand National and the most notable horses taken out of the big race were Fakir D’Oudairies, Le Milos and Dusart.  They were all guaranteed a run in the big race and their defections means horses now moved into the top 34 spots are Mac Tottie, Chemical Energy and Adamantly Chosen who are all set to carry 10st 5lb.  Le Milos and Dusart were representatives from British stables and with them now absent the race has even more of Irish dominance.  Corach Rambler, Nassalam, Threeunderthrufive, Eldorado Allen and Latenightpass are the only current British trained runners guaranteed a run at this stage.  I am Maximus and Vanillier head the market for the big race at 10/1 while Corach Rambler is a 12/1 next best.

Today is the confirmation stage for the first day of Cheltenham Festival.  By lunchtime today we will start to get more of an idea of how some of the races are shaping up for next Tuesday – not long now!

Last night David did a Cheltenham Preview evening in Bath, alongside Tom Scudamore, Evan Williams, Brendan Powell Senior and Nick Scholfield.  He has another to do on Thursday a bit closer to home at Tiverton Golf Club and an Online Zoom one on Saturday.  Busy times!

Champions League football action continues this evening with the second leg matches of the last 16 games.  Last night Bayern Munich Vs Lazio ended in a 3-0 victory for Munich and the other game on last night was Real Sociedad Vs Paris Saint-Germain which fell into the hands of Paris Saint-Germain to win 2-1.  Tonight Manchester City are at home to FC Copenhagen and have a 3-1 lead from the first leg, so it will be very difficult for the visitors.  Real Madrid holds a 1-0 lead over their opponents RB Leipzig, who also look to have it all to do.  Both games kick off at 8pm. 

A truck loaded with Vicks Vaporub overturned on the highway.

Amazingly, there was no congestion for eight hours.

Have a good day!