Winning Walkadina!

        Walkadina wins at Uttoxeter!
The weekend has come back around after a busy week and there are three jumps meetings providing plenty of action which are coming from Ayr, Wetherby and Ascot. Meanwhile, the flat action comes from Newmarket and Southwell on the all-weather. In Ireland, there is a jumps card at Down Royal and the Breeders Cup action continues at Del Mar.  

Walkadina made an impressive debut over hurdles at Uttoxeter under Tom Bellamy and won in good style. Her jumping was superb the whole way round and she always looked to be one who would appreciate the obstacles. She is a very nice mare and looks to be one who's capable of improving even more. African Lady ran a much better race yesterday, and just weakened gradually on the run in, but that is her best run for a while and it's shown that she is capable of more.

Today we head to Ascot with one runner, Neon Moon runs in the 3:45pm Handicap Chase over 3miles with Jack Tudor back in the saddle today. He won well at Chepstow on his return from a summers break a few weeks ago and put up a career-best, it's a competitive race today and he will need to improve further again, but he's run well at Ascot before and he'll like the ground and goes here in good form. 

Some sad news became known in the racing world yesterday, as one of racing’s greatest characters, the much loved and admired writer Alastair Down has passed away at the age of 68. He was an unmissable figure and if you did not see him, you were likely to hear him! He made a unique contribution to the sport and especially jump racing, which he was extremely passionate about. He had only last week made a trip to Cheltenham, as the racecourse’s pressroom was officially named after him in a ceremony on Friday. Some of his greatest work describing the action came from his local track and now feels the fitting tribute for him. 

City Of Troy for the O'Brien team is looking to bid for greatness in the Breeders Cup Classic at Del Mar, which is due off at 9:41pm and will be looking to end his career in glory on a new surface against some of the greatest rivals. There is also some high class jumps action coming from Wetherby with the Charlie Hall and Bravemansgame will be looking to rejuvenate his form in a field of just 6 runners. The Bet365 also takes place at Wetherby and some great action at Ascot today.

Why do jumpers always stick together? 

Because they're close-knit!

Have a lovely weekend!