Monday at Hereford

     Neon Moon after his win on Saturday!
It's been an action filled weekend with the season opener's meeting at Chepstow and Ffos Las holding their Welsh Champion Hurdle meeting. Today there is a jumps card at Hereford while the flat action comes from Musselburgh, Windsor, Wolverhampton and Kempton. In Ireland, there is no jumps racing today just flat action to watch at Roscommon. 

We head to Hereford today with two runners. Lock Out runs in the 2:00pm Handicap Chase over 2miles 5f with Gearoid Harney in the saddle, he goes here after winning nicely on Friday at Chepstow, he goes into this effectively 5 pounds lower and providing the race on Friday hasn't taken much out of him he should be with a chance. We also have Ben Lilly running in the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club, he runs in the 4:00pm Handicap Hurdle over 3miles 1f with Gearoid Harney in the saddle, he ran on the flat last time out after some time off and the ground was a little softer than ideal, but that run should've put him spot on for going back hurdling and the ground will be more to his liking today. 

It was a busy weekend for the stable with plenty of runners on Saturday. American Sniper ran in the Silver Trophy, he was handy all the way and just started to weaken 3 out, this was his first run back after a break and was a very competitive race. Neon Moon provided us with a surprising win after winning the Native River chase, which was extra special as he won in the colours of Brocade Racing, owners of Native River. It was a brilliant, patient ride by Jack Tudor and he always goes well fresh but it was nice to see him back up the good form from the end of last season.

Harry Junior also ran in the silks of Brocade Racing and he ran a lovely race in the bumper finishing fifth and he looks to be a nice type going hurdling in the future. Bashful Boy ran in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and ran well finishing midfield, he galloped all the way to the line and was not beaten by far in the end. 

The Welsh Champion Hurdle was the main feature at Ffos Las on Sunday and provided Dai Walters and Sam Thomas the first and second in the race. Dai founded the course in 2009 and had two runners representing as the race is set to move to Chepstow racecourse next year which he described as being disappointing, but it was great to see him at a racecourse after recovered from life-threatening injuries from a helicopter crash in 2022. 

Last night in the football, England recovered from their UEFA Nations League loss to Greece and won their match against Finland 3-1, they were still not completely convincing but they would've been glad to get a win. 

What did the left eye say to the right eye?

Between me and you, something smells!

Happy Monday!