Newbury Runners

I was a little surprised to wake to such cold temperatures this morning, yesterday it was 11c and this morning -3c!  I knew it was going to be colder but not that cold, I do often wondered what the horses must think!  You do your best to put what rugs you think are most suitable for them at the time but when there is such a temperature shift overnight it is a bit barmy!  My Alexa told me this morning that there is an amber weather warning for rain in this area tomorrow, it's a little difficult to wrap your head around it sometimes!

Today, we have two runners at Newbury, the only jumps meeting of the day.  Hopefully the meeting will go ahead as they have now announced at 10am inspection.  They say they are currently raceable but with temperatures falling to sub zero early this morning they thought they better have another look to confirm racing can go ahead, I am confident it will!  Harley's Pride and Gold in the Rivers are our two runners today and Jack Tudor rides both.  Harley's Pride runs in the opening contest on the card, a novices hurdle over 2 miles at 12.25pm and we have it all to do to win and she will be seen to better effect in handicaps after this run.  She has been a little disappointing in both of her hurdle start this season but she is not without ability.  She is a quirky character and the ability is there but she does have to focus all of her attention.  Hopefully she will have a nice clear round today and give us something to build on going forwards.  Sober Glory is the very short priced favourite for this contest and while he does have to bounce back from a poor effort last time, I expect him to do so and win.

Gold In The Rivers runs in the 2.05pm handicap chase over 2m7f.  He made an encouraging chasing debut on his first start this season to be second at Lingfield but did not really build on that on his second start but there were excuses for him that day and I am looking forward to seeing him go back up in distance this afternoon.  He has had wind surgery since that last run and he wears first time blinkers today.  He has more ability than perhaps we have always seen on the racecourse in Britain and I hope he can put it all together today.  I think he is better treated by the handicapper than he was and the first time blinkers will hopefully help him travel a little better early in the race.  He is about 8/1 in the betting and I hope he has a good each way chance in what looks a competitive race.

In Ireland they have a good jumps card at Fairyhouse while there are two all-weather flat fixtures at Lingfield and Kempton.  

Manchester City beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James Park last night in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final and so it will be a difficult task for Newcastle back at the Emirates next week.  The second semi-final takes place this evening with Chelsea against Arsenal at 8pm.  

RIP to a friend of mine.  His wife sent him out to get some sewing thread but he ended up in the bar all day.

Gone but not for cotton!

Have a Good Day!