Storm Incoming

     Itseemslikeit runs at Ffos Las Today

The weather continues to dominate racing talk but the good news is that we have our first jumps meetings of the week today at Taunton and Ffos Las.  Taunton was always set for today while Ffos Las is an additional meeting arranged only on Monday is light of all the recent abandonments.  There was also due to be a jumps card at Catterick as well but that failed a Wednesday inspection and there are upcoming inspections for a lot of meetings over the next few days.  Several hard nights of frost take several days to come out of the ground and now with Storm Goretti set to hit Britain later today it brings additional problems for everyone with large amounts of rain and snow predicted for a lot of the country.

I will start with the positives as we have four runners today, two at Ffos Las, Pachacuti and Itseemslikeit and two at Taunton, American Sniper and Best Night.  The ground at Ffos Las is soft with heavy rain anticipated throughout the day starting at 10am but both our horses will not mind if the ground changes to heavy at the Welsh venue.  Pachacuti is looking to get back on track after disappointing over fences at Wetherby last time.  He sports a first time visor back over hurdles today and he likes the track and ground.  He is now well handicapped and he is very capable if he is on a going day.  He runs in the 2.10pm handicap hurdle over 2m4f and Jack Tudor rides.  He is about 8/1 in the betting and has the ability to run well in this.  

Itseemslikeit runs in the following three mile handicap chase at 2.40pm with Jack Tudor in the saddle.  He made a winning seasonal chasing debut at Uttoxeter last time and even though he has gone up seven pounds I hope there is more to come.  He is a giant of a horse, probably the biggest we have in the yard and he was always going to be a nice chaser.  He has been a little tricky to train which is why he has only have five starts under rules but he is only a seven year old and because of his size should just becoming into his prime.  He was an easy winner last time and while today's oppositions looks a little stronger he will like the course and conditions and I think he will take all the beating.

American Sniper is our first runners at Taunton and he runs int he 3.00pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f and Rian Corcoran rides.  Although he has won over three miles in his career he ran well over track and distance last time to finish second.  The winner that day reopposes again today but we have slightly more favourable terms.  Rian's claim will be a big help and while I hope they don't get too much rain to get into the ground before his race, I think he has a good chance.  I see he his forecast 7/2 favourite in the betting but it looks a fairly open race.

Best Night runs in the 4.00pm mares handicap hurdle over two miles.  She carries top weight but Rian's claim will help and even though she is a big price I think she has a good each way chance.  She does have to bounce back from a couple of lesser efforts, but they were both at Exeter over a slightly longer trip which I am not sure suited.  I am told by her work rider she has plenty of speed so I think she will like Taunton and the drop back in trip today.  It is another competitive affair but I hope she won't be too far away.  There are lots of our Racing Club members going to Taunton today and thank you to the course who have been very helpful with tickets.  Hopefully Storm Goretti won't cause too much disruption later this afternoon and everyone can enjoy the good racing.

There is one flat all-weather meeting today at Chelmsford while in Ireland they have a jumps card at Clonmel.

Last night in the football, Manchester United were pretty poor away at Burnley and came away with a 1-1 draw.  Manchester City drew 1-1 at home to Brighton while Newcastle snatched a late winner at home in the 102nd minute to beat Leeds 4-3 to name just a few of the scores.  There is a big game tonight with Arsenal playing Liverpool and the Gunners have the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the Premiership with a win.

The England cricketers, as expected, lost the final Ashes Test in Sydney and lost the series 4-1.  While many fans probably didn't have high expectations, it was a pretty dismal display from England throughout and the Aussies well and truly put us in our place.

My Friend: "What do you call those things you blow and make a wish?"

Me: "Breathalyser?"

Have a good day.