2 Cheltenham Runners

    Lady Balko runs at Cheltenham Today

We have two runners at Cheltenham today, the final day of the November meeting and they are Bras D'or and Lady Balko.  Bras D'or makes his hurdling debut in the opening maiden hurdle on the card at 1.15pm over two miles and Jack Tudor rides.  He is a lovely big horse who has just had the one start for us in a bumper at Fontwell last season where he finished second.  We were a little disappointed that day as he shows a lot at home but in hindsight, the winner has won first time out over hurdles this season impressively so perhaps it was not too bad a race.  I think he will have improved for another summer on his back and he is one to look forward to this winter.  It might be a tough starting point for him today with his opposition including high class flat recruit Ambiente Friendly who finished runner up in the 2024 Derby!  I'm not sure that one will like the soft conditions at Cheltenham today but it should be an interesting watch! I think however Bras D'or runs today, he is one for the future, especially over fences later down the line.

Lady Balko runs in the 2.55pm staying chase over 3m3f and Paddy Hanlon has his first ride for us, claiming a handy five pounds off of bottom weight.  The high class Protektorat heads the weights keeping several, like us just out of the handicap which is why why are using Paddy to ride and it is a bit too light a weight for Rian claiming his ten!  Lady Balko had a terrific season last time winning three on the bounce over fences and seeing her rating rise to 137.  Life was then tough and she didn't quite sparkle in her last couple of runs but she has summered well again at home and is in good form.  It will be a tough assignment for her and she could do with a bit of help from the handicapper.  While I wouldn't be surprised to see her run well today at a big price, there will be easier opportunities for her later down the line.  The Greatwood hurdle race is the feature of the day at Cheltenham at 3.30pm.

 They also race over jumps at Fontwell today with their feature race being the Southern National at 2.05pm and this looks an open looking betting affair.  While Navan was abandoned yesterday they have a good card to look forward to there today (providing it passes a morning inspection but they are quite hopeful) and plan to run their Saturday card tomorrow which is is great thinking and re-arranging.  

The World Cup qualifying football matches continue today and England are back in action, away to Albania at 5pm.  The Republic of Ireland are looking to back up there good win against Portugal the other day and are away to Hungary at 2pm.  There is one International rugby match today, Scotland play Argentina at Murrayfield at 3.10pm.  We also have the final round of the DP Golf Championships in Dubai where it is very tight at the top and any number of the top players are in contention to win, including Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Why is it annoying to eat next to basketball players?

Because they dribble all the time!

Happy Sunday!