Wincanton Winner!

               Manuelito wins at Wincanton!
It was great to get our 45th winner of the season yesterday at Wincanton with Manuelito winning division two of the maiden hurdle over 2 miles. He had shown plenty of promise in two previous hurdle runs and put that experience to good use yesterday.

He travelled and jumped well towards the head of the field and quickened clear of his rivals from two out. He made his worst jump at the last hurdle landing on all fours a little, but soon regained his momentum to win relatively cosily. He is a lovely big individual and you can see why he wasn’t seen to best effect on the flat previously, he has really grown into his frame over the winter. He is a horse we have liked a lot at home all along and he seemed to enjoy the better underfoot conditions yesterday and while I’m unsure of exact plans, there is plenty more to come from him going forward and I wouldn’t be surprised if we was to be improved on the flat, if we go back down this route.

Shot boii was a non-runner yesterday, as David felt the ground was plenty quick enough for him.  He is declared again for Southwell on Tuesday so just had a Sunday day out yesterday!

Today we just have one runner at Ffos Las, Heure De Gloire ridden by Jack Tudor. She runs in the 3:12 pm handicap hurdle over 2 mile 4 furlongs. She loves the track and won there earlier this season. She is now back down to just one pound off her last winning mark and she is about 10/1 in the betting. Her last win here was over 2 miles, so she stepped up in distance today but I don’t really see that being a problem, she has placed form over 3 miles in the past. the ground may not be soft enough but it is the softest ground around at present. She is a quirky mare, but I think coming back to this track could be key and I hope she can outrun her odds and has a good each way chance.

Today’s meeting at Ffos Las was an extra one put on, so there are now three jumps meetings today as they also race at Hexham and Kempton. There are two flat meetings at Pontefract and Windsor, while in Ireland they have a jumps fixture at Tramore.

Willie Mullins now leads the trainers championship after a great Saturday up in Ayr. He won the Scottish national with McDermott, and he was just one of a few for this stable on the day. He also picked up plenty of place money in the big race and before racing yesterday had over a £180,000 lead over Dan Skelton. While I’m sure he won’t give up the chase this week, things do look rather difficult.

It will be an old Manchester FA Cup final with Manchester City against my team United. City beat Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, while Man United scraped past Coventry on penalties yesterday. You don’t want a dodgy heart watching my team at the moment. Meanwhile, in the Premiership Liverpool and Arsenal both won their matches, putting the heat back on city.

The England women’s rugby team beat Ireland easily on Saturday Scotland ladies beat Italy. Exeter lost at home to Bath.

There is all to play for in the final day of the county cricket match between Somerset and Nottinghamshire.

What is the worst thing about having a job at the unemployment office?

If you get fired, you still have to show up the next day!

Happy Monday!