Cracking Monday

It maybe Monday and the stable does not have any runners, but what a cracking day of racing there is to look forward to.  There are three jumps meetings in Britain at Exeter, Plumpton and Leicester while flat racing returns at Newcastle.   In Ireland, we have the re-arranged Navan card from Saturday and there are some high class horses in action on both sides of the Irish sea.  Jack Tudor goes to Plumpton to ride in the Brocade Racing silks which were successful in the Greatwood hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday.  Jack rides Siam Park in the 1.50pm handicap chase and he he looks to have a good chance.

Today is a day bursting with quality on the field and in Ireland we have the return of Kopek Des Bordes, The Yellow Clay and Dinoblue at Navan while last season's top ranked juvenile, Lulamba reappears at Exeter and goes chasing for the first time.  The beginners chase is at 2pm and while Lulamba is 2/5 favourite and should win there is some good rivals in opposition who could capitalise if he is not fully tuned up for his return.  The key races in Ireland are at 2.10pm, 2.45pm and 3.20pm should you be able to keep and eye on all of the action this afternoon!

On Saturday, Jurancon was disappointing at Cheltenham.  To my eyes, he never really looked very happy from the start, perhaps he didn't like the ground?  My thoughts and not anyone else's and he has won on heavy before but I just though he wasn't enjoying it and jumping like he can.  The only good thing from this result is that we know the run is too bad to be true and he is a million times better than he showed here.  He seems to have come out of the race well so we will monitor him in the coming days and see how he is but I haven't lost faith.  He is hugely talented and will bounce back.  Bras D'or ran a nice race on hurdling debut at Cheltenham yesterday to be fifth in the novices hurdle.  He travelled and jumped well and kept galloping one pace up the hill.  His future lies over fences in the long term but he is a lovely big individual who will be making his mark over hurdles this season as well.  Lady Balko found her race a little too hot but this will have blow away a few cobwebs and with a little help from the handicapper she will be winning again in the right grade.

Rory McIlroy lost out in a play off in the Dubai golf championships to Matt Fitzpatrick yesterday but still won his seventh race to Dubai title.  England won their final World Cup qualifier beating Albania 2-0 yesterday while the Republic of Ireland got a late goal to beat Hungary 3-2 and are now in the play offs for the World Cup.  Northern Ireland are in action this evening at home to Luxemburg.  

Scotland were well in control of their rugby match against Argentina yesterday but ultimately lost 33-24 while England beat New Zealand on Saturday and Ireland beat Australia.

A bus station is where a bus stops.  A train station is where a train stops.

On my desk, I have a work station.

Happy Monday!