Stratford Duo of Runners

    Ocean Heights runs at Stratford Tonight

There is jumps racing this evening at Stratford and we have two runners, Pub Crawl and Ocean Heights.  The 2-mile handicap hurdle divided and Pub Crawl is in division one at 5.25pm, there are 16 runners in the race and Jack Tudor rides.  This is our five year olds first run in a handicap over jumps and he wears blinkers and a tongue strap following wind surgery so we are hoping he puts up an improved performance. 

He has been a little unlucky in his runs in novice’s hurdles, there have been a few incidents mid race, which have not helped his cause, but today he needs to put his best foot forward off a mark of 81.  He goes nicely at home but this has not really translated to the track as yet, fingers crossed this can change this evening!  The track and ground should suit and while it looks competitive I hope he has a good each way chance.   

Ocean Heights runs in division two of the two mile handicap hurdle, there are 15 runners and Jack Tudor rides.  Our seven year old has a good level of flat ability and ran well in his latest start at Newbury to be fourth on the level off a mark of 81.  You would say his hurdle rating of 91 should be well within his ability but it does not always work out!  He was fourth on his most recent start over hurdles at Ffos Las a while ago but I think he can build on that and he will run well this evening.  He is a bumper winner at the track in his younger days and I don’t think he will be far away at about 4/1 in the betting. 

There are three flat meetings today at Musselbrugh, Ripon and Lingfield while in Ireland they race on the flat at Bellewstown.

There is lots of football this evening as it is League Cup 2^nd round matches and there are more Champions League playoff games as well.  Some Premiership teams look to have tricky matches, probably none more so than Crystal Palace against Norwich which kicks off at 8pm. 

What is made of brass and sounds like Tom Jones?

Trombones!

Have a good Tuesday!