Fools at Fontwell

    Only Fools runs at Fontwell this Evening

We were due to have runners at both Newton Abbot and Fontwell today but unfortunately the former lost yet another meeting after it was forced to abandoned yesterday with heavy ground and false patches the reason for it being called off.  We are now just left with one runner today, Only Fools at Fontwell this evening.

Only Fools runs in the 5.10pm conditional jockeys handicap hurdle over 2m5f and Fergus Gillard rides.  It is great to team up with Fergus again as he rode the very first winner for the David Pipe Racing Club a few years ago!  Although no longer based with us, he still comes and rides out when he can so it is nice for him to ride on the track again for us.  He has made a great start to the new season and has already ridden three winners, hopefully he can make it four today!  Only Fools has a great season last season term and was admirably consistent throughout being placed lots and winning twice at Ludlow and at Fontwell.  She is versatile with regards the ground and likes the track so I think she has a great chance and she is favourite in the betting.

Today on the flat we have the first day of Chester, a meeting I very much enjoy watching and all-weather action at Kempton.  In Ireland they have flat action at Gowran Park.  The Chester Vase is the feature at Chester, a Group 3 contest for Colts and Geldings over 1m4f.  Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore team up and have the favourite, Grosvenor Square, but the 2000 Guineas winning team, Charlie Appleby and William Buick have the second favourite Hidden Law and they would be my choice as winners of the race.

Yesterday at Fakenham, Man Again found things happening all too fast despite wearing first time blinkers.  Chemical Warfare ran well on stable debut, a costly error two out not helping his chance but he kept galloping all the way to the line to be fourth.  He will probably improve a little bit for the run having been off the track for quite a while and will be sharper next time. Pub Crawl was very novicey with his jumping early in the race on his hurdles debut which put him on the back foot from an early stage.  He actually ran better than the bare result suggests come the finish but he is a character and we have to unlock his potential as he does possess a fair amount of ability!

Last night in the football PSG were knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund, losing 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate.   The second Champions League semi-final takes place this evening and it promises to be a good one.  Real Madrid are home to Bayern Munich, 8pm kick off.  The first leg in Germany finished 2-2 so it is all to play for this evening. 

The person who invented the ferris wheel never met the person who invented the merry go round.

They travelled in different circles.

Have a good day!