Punchestown Day 2!

With the break from jump racing in Britain continued the stable has no runners today.

Day one of Punchestown took place yesterday and after a long patient winter with Banbridge, he rattled home to just chin Cheltenham festival's Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness in a thrilling finish to pick up the prize for the William Hill Champion Chase. It was also nice to see the British get off the mark over in Punchestown yesterday as trainer Tom Lacey's Tune In A Box knotched an impressive win for the team to win the Full Circle Series Final Handicap Hurdle. The trainer also trained the 3rd placed horse in the race too!

The festival continues and day 2 kicks off with Dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs bids for success in the Punchestown Gold Cup which takes place at 5:25pm having finished second last year, he’ll be looking to go one better. Corach Rambler represents Britain for Lucinda Russell after falling early in the Grand National this year.

On the flat today, Royal Ascot trials day takes place at Ascot with Pontefract and Wolverhampton completing the afternoon action, before Kempton and Brighton host an evening card.

Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot winning trainer Paul Webber has announced he will be handing in his license at the end of May after an almost 30 year career. The trainer enjoyed his first Grade 1 success in 1999 when Hoh Express won the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase under jockey Jamie Osborne before winning the race again in 2004. He’s set to join ex Nicky Henderson assistant trainer Billy Aprahamian's yard, situated 20 minutes from Webber, where a few of his horses will join them to build on his existing team.

Last night in the football Bayern Munich and Real Madrid played the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final and ended up with a 2-2 result, with defending champions Manchester City knocked out by Real Madrid in the Quarter-Finals, both of these teams will feel they can win the competition. The UEFA Champions League continues tonight and kicking off at 8pm is Borussia Dortmund and PSG.  

Do you want to hear a construction joke?

Sorry - I'm still working on it!

Happy Wednesday!