Runners Both Codes

      Royal Mer runs at Lingfield Today

There are two jumps meetings today at Ayr and Plumpton and one meeting on the flat at Wolverhampton this evening.  We have one runner at Lingfield this afternoon and two on the flat tonight.  Royal Mer runs in the 4.02pm handicap chase over 2m4f and Jack Tudor rides.  He won five races last season but has taken a little while to find his form this time around, partly due however to his much increased handicap rating!  His last run to be third at Uttoxeter was his best run of the season so far and Fergus Gillard who rode him that day felt the ground was not soft enough.  Today, we have heavy ground at Lingfield and this should be to his liking.  There are only six runners and it is competitive little field but handicapper has given him a little more help and I would like to think we have a good chance.

Things might be a little more difficult for us on the flat this evening.  Kolisi runs in the 1m6f handicap at 6.30pm and Rob Hornby rides.  Kolisi has been struggling to recapture his form of old since returning from a long injury absence but the soft ground over hurdles has not been helping his cause.  He should enjoy his spin on the all-weather this evening but it looks tough for him on paper.  Similar comments can be said for Ocean Heights.  He runs in the 8.30pm handicap over 1m4f and Taylor Fisher rides.  He was in great form last winter but has not got back to that level in his latest starts.  He returns from a little holiday this evening and with a little more help from the handicapper I am sure he can return to form.

Yesterday at Plumpton, Vision De Maine ran well to be fourth in the Sussex National.  He led approaching two out and kept galloping to the line but Jack felt the track does not really play to his strengths and the rain softened ground was a little against him.  He stayed the extended trip and will be helped by a more galloping track.  Micornormous and Yggdrasil both ran okay at Catterick to finish fifth and fourth respectively but never really got involved with the principals.

Crystal Palace beat Doncaster Rovers 2-0 in their Fourth Round FA Cup match last night, while tonight, Exeter are at home to Premier League side Nottingham Forrest.  Champions League football action also returns.  There are four matches tonight, Manchester City are the only home side in action, they have a hard game at home to Real Madrid.  

Can February March?

No, but April May.

Have a good day!