Monday Round Up

 Vision De Maine runs in the Sussex National

It is a damp start to the new week at Pond House this morning and pretty chilly to!  There are two jumps meetings today and we have runners at each.  Micronormous and Yggdrasil run at Catterick while Vision De Main heads to Plumpton to run in the Sussex National at 3.45pm.  He ran well at the track last time even though it is probably not his ideal course but I think he will enjoy the extra distance today and off the same mark and a light weight I think he has a great each way chance.  He re- opposes the horses that just finished in front of him that day and I think the same horses could be fighting out the finish again this afternoon but hopefully we might finish in a different order!  We are about 5/1 in the betting.

Micronormous runs in the 2.30pm mares handicap chase at Catterick and David Noonan rides.  She unfortunately slipped up on the bend at Fakenham on her latest start which wasn't her fault but she has recovered from that well and is in good form at home.  This will be her fourth start over fences and she carries top weight in this.  She will enjoy the better going at Catterick that they have at plenty of places at the moment and I am a little surprised she is the outsider of the field.  I think she has a good each way chance.

Yggdrasil runs in the 3.30pm handicap chase over 2m3f and David Noonan rides.  He ran well on his comeback run from injury at Wincanton but was never at the races at Taunton last time.  Hopefully the trip at the track was just too sharp and there may have been a 'bounce factor' as well but we need better today.  He has become well treated now and he shows enough at home that he retains all of his old ability.  He is a three times chase winner and hopefully he can add to that total this afternoon.  He is about 9/1 in the betting.

There is no jumps racing in Ireland today but there is one flat meeting this evening at Wolverhampton.

It was a good day for the team at the local Chipley Park point to point on Saturday with a double for us and the first ever double for young jockey Rian Corcoran.  African Lady ran well to be third on her first try in the pointing field over fences.  Martin McIntyre gave her a lovely patient ride and she looks sure to win a maiden next time, maybe on slightly better ground.  There were only two runners in the Open race and Fighter Allen dead heated with his sole rival.  The small field was probably not to his advantage but it was great to get another 1st beside his name.  Royal Defender finished second in the Restricted behind a useful looking rival while Sidi Ismael looked to win the novice riders race but he judge called another dead heat!  

It was a great sporting weekend all round and especially well done to England who got a great result in the rugby against France while Plymouth were 1-0 winners against Liverpool in the FA Cup.  There is one FA Cup Fourth round match this evening with Doncaster Rovers at home to Crystal Palace at 7.45pm.

In a safety meeting at work they asked me what steps I'd take in a fire.

Apparently " Really big and fast ones" was the wrong answer!

Happy Monday!