Busy Jumps Day

  
  Behind the Curtain runs at Taunton Tonight

Today we have four runners across two different meetings, three at Uttoxeter and one at Taunton.  Our trio of runners at Uttoxeter are Skin Full, Sizing Pottsie and Walkadina and they are all ridden by Jack Tudor.  Behind the Curtain is our most local runner and is ridden by amateur Martin McIntyre.  Both of these meetings are evening fixtures.

Skin Full runs in the 4.30pm maiden hurdle over two miles.  Placed in a Irish point to point he is yet to show much under rules in novice hurdles.  He will probably want further in time but the track and ground will be fine.  Sizing Pottsie runs in the 6.10pm handicap hurdle over 2m4f.  He ran well in first time blinkers at Ffos Las last time to be third and both horses that finished in front of him that day have run well again since.  He has not had many tries over this distance and shapes like he will appreciate the extra yardage.  The ground is still described as heavy which he loves and he has run well at the track earlier in the season.  He is about 10/1 in the betting and I would hope he has a good each way chance.  The anticipated favourite, Mr Bramley I hoped ran at Southwell yesterday but he was a non-runner so does run tonight and that one is probably the one the beat.

Walkadina runs in division one of the mares bumper at 7.20pm and she has been put up as favourite.  Placed in an Irish point to point she made a pleasing debut to be second in a bumper at Hereford in March.  She galloped on well to the line and I think she will appreciate the slightly stiffer track today.  The third horse behind her that day has won a bumper since and the form looks strong.  She is a mare we like a lot for the future and I anticipate a big run this evening.

Behind the Curtain runs at Taunton in the 7.00pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f and Martin McIntye rides again following the pairs win at Wincanton.  He did pull up at Exeter last time but he rather got stuck in the mud that day and ‘Fly’ said he hated the ground.  Returned to a better surface this evening I hope he can return to his previous winning form and if he does that he shouldn’t be far away.  The trip maybe a little of the short side but he is not slow.  He looks good each way value at 20/1 and remember he did win at odds of 50/1 so the horse doesn’t mind what the betting says!

There are actually four jumps meetings today and as well as Taunton and Uttoxeter there is also action at Ludlow and Perth.  On the flat they race at Catterick while in Ireland they have jumps racing at Bellewstown and a flat fixture at Gowran Park.  Another busy day of racing!

Both Man Again, Shot Boii and Royal Defender were very disappointing at Southwell yesterday and pulled up.  Man Again is no finishing his races while I think Shot Boii found Southwell too sharp on that ground.  Royal Defender travelled very well until a mistake at the third last and then he stopped very quickly.

Last night in the football Arsenal hammered Chelsea 5-0.  I watched a bit of it but Arsenal were so dominant it was a little embarrassing.  Tonight there are four Premiership games, Wolves are at home to Bournemouth at 7.45pm and there are three 8pm kick off matches, Crystal Palace v Newcastle, Man United v Sheffield United and a very important Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool.  Liverpool must win and put up a good performance after Arsenal's display last night.

I’m writing a book about hurricanes and tornadoes…

It’s only a draft at the moment!

Have a great day!