Cheltenham Runners

    Jurancon runs at Cheltenham Today

It was going to a big day for the team today as we had two fancied runners at Cheltenham but while the good news is that is passed its morning inspection and racing goes ahead, Parchment will not be running.  At Pond House yesterday and at Cheltenham, there was a deluge of rain which left officials with no choice but to call a precautionary check this morning.  The ground at Cheltenham is now officially described as heavy, soft in places and David has decided we will wait for another day with Parchment.  While it says the ground was very soft when he won in France, having spoken with jockey James Reveley who rode him that day, he said it was not that soft at all.  He shows plenty of speed at home and while he might well be fine on the ground, for his first run we do not need to test that.  

Jurancon is now our sole representatiive and he runs in the 3.30pm Intermediate handicap hurdle over 2m5f and Jack Tudor rides.  He heads the market but it looks a tough race.  He is a horse we hold in very high regard and he has barely put a foot wrong in all his runs for us and has never finished out of the first two.  He steps up in trip for the first time which should suit and we think he has scope for improvement off his rating of 132.  He is a lovely horse whatever happens today and I certainly wouldn’t put anyone having a few pennies on him.

Yesterday at Cheltenham, Walkadina was given a lovely ride by Rian Corcoran and she travelled and jumped well before cruising into contention travelling well two out.  Unfortunately for us, she started to weaken just before the final hurdle and perhaps did not stay the trip up the Cheltenham hill and she weakened to finish fifth.  She is fine this morning which is the main thing and she showed more than enough to be winning more races, perhaps dropping back in trip slightly.

Alongside Cheltenham today, there is also jumps racing at Uttoxeter and Wetherby.  Uttoxeter had to pass an early morning inspection like Cheltenham while there were no problems at Wetherby despite them also having quite a lot of rain.  There is also a very could meeting in Ireland at Navan which also had to pass a morning inspection.

The World Cup qualifiers continue today and Scotland are in action away to Greece this evening and Wales are away to Liechtesnstein at tea time.  Last night, Northern Ireland lost their match but can still qualify for the World Cup Finals.  The autumn international rugby matches also continue today and there is a cracker between England and the All Blacks at 3.10pm.  Wales play Japan at 5.40pm and Ireland play Australia at 8.10pm this evening.

When people criticise you for being short, they’re really just saying the worst thing about you is that there isn’t more of you!

Have a great sporting Saturday!