Hereford & Wetherby Runners

       Lock Out Runs at Hereford Today

There are two jumps meetings today at Wetherby and Hereford and we have representatives at each.  American Sniper travels back to Wetherby where he finished third on Boxing today under today's jockey, Callum Pritchard.  He did travel to Doncaster last week which was called off when we got there but fingers crossed there will be no problems today.  He runs in the 4.13pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f.  You could argue he may appreciate a slightly greater test of stamina but he will be fine over this trip.  Callum takes off a handy five pounds and I think he has a good each way chance at about 8/1.

Nini Star makes her hurdling and stable debut in the 1.43pm fillies juvenile maiden hurdle at Hereford an Jack Tudor rides.  She has shown a good level of ability on the flat in France and the UK.  She arrived with us in the autumn, had a little holiday and has shown a good attitude and taken to jumping well at home.  There is a short priced favourite in the race who has been placed in France and we are next best 6/1 in the betting.  I would hope we would give the favourite something to think about at the very least.  Lock Out runs in the 2.18pm handicap chase with Jack on board.  He has not quite shown the same level of form in his runs since his win at Chepstow but one of those runs was over hurdles and last time he did not enjoy the very testing conditions at Exeter.  He ran well enough at this track over a shorter trip earlier this season and will enjoy the very slightly better ground here than many other places have at the moment.  He is about fourth best in the betting and once again I hope he has a good each way chance.

There are two all-weather flat meetings alongside the jumps action today with racing at Kempton and Southwell.  In Ireland they have flat action at Dundalk.

Yesterday, Royal Mer ran well to be second at Lingfield.  I thought it was his best run of the season so far and he jumped well and galloped all the way to the line.  The winner is unexposed and put in a nice performance.  Hopefully, Royal Mer can get a deserved victory next time out.  Kolisi and Ocean Heights ran as their prices suggested last night, neither were beaten very far and ran okay so there will be easier opportunities for them.

It was heart-break for Exeter City in the FA Cup Fourth round last night as they lost to Nottingham Forest 4-2 on penalties.  They played well and held the visitors to a 2-2 draw after extra time but unfortunately lost out from the penalty spot.  Manchester City lost 3-2 at home to Real Madrid in their Champions League match and they look a team struggling for confidence.  There are four more Champions League matches this evening but there are no British teams in action.  There is however a good Premiership match, a Merseyside Derby with Everton at home to Liverpool, 7.30pm kick off.  Both teams are in good form at the moment so it should be a good watch.

In 3,025 years, life will be really good or really bad.

It's 5050.

Happy Wednesday!