Taunton Trio

     Way of Stars runs at Taunton Today

There are two jumps meetings today at Taunton and Leicester and the good news is that both meetings go ahead despite overnight rain.  We had another 9mm of rain overnight but Taunton only had 3mm so no problems there but both of today's jumps cards race on heavy ground.  We have three runners at Taunton, Way of Stars, Follow the Plan and Shot Boii.  Way of Stars and Follow the Plan both run in the opening race of the day at Taunton, a two mile novices hurdle.  Jack Tudor is on board Way of Stars while Rian Corcoran is on Follow the Plan.  Way of Stars has just had the one start over hurdles when finishing third at Exeter on the day perhaps racing should not have gone ahead and indeed it was abandoned mid-way through the card.

There was a small field that day and he was way to keen in conditions early in the race.  He wasn't beaten that far into third place and the winner has gone onto run well twice, winning last time and has a rating of 127.  A repeat of that run would give him a good chance in this and with more runners and a sharper track things are likely to suit him better and I think he will run well.  We have added a hood to help him settle early in the race and at about 6/1 I think he looks over priced.  Follow the Plan makes her hurdling debut in the same race having finished third in an Irish point to point last time.  She is a lovely type who has not been here that long and will want further in time but it will be good to get her on the track and see how she gets on.

Shot Boii completes our trio of runners and he runs in the 2.50pm handicap chase over 2m7f and Rian Corcoran rides.  It all went wrong at the first fence at Ludlow last time when he made a bad mistake, got left on his own and never got involved in the race and pulled up.  You can put a line through that run and if he repeats his run from Wincanton two starts ago then he would have an each way chance.  This looks a competitive race and it is probably not his ideal track but he is handicapped to run okay now and if he chooses to put his best foot forwards he would have a chance.  There are lots of members of the David Pipe Racing Club going today so I am sure they will all have a good afternoon.

There are two all-weather flat meetings today at Lingfield and Chelmsford and it is a blank racing day in Ireland.

Yesterday, Cynthia was disappointing at Kempton.  She was far too keen throughout the race to do herself justice come the end and weakened tamely.  She might not have truly stayed the two mile trip either but it is hard to tell when they pull to hard for much of the race.  Her jumping practice is coming along nicely and I am sure it might be a spin over hurdles next.

Last night, there was wins in the football for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Burnley and Liverpool.  Tonight Arsenal travel to Brentford who have proved tricky opponents for the Gunners in the past.

It was not to be for the British team of figure skaters last night in the Free Dance.  They went into last night in fourth place with a chance of winning a bronze but unfortunately from them and early mistake in the routine put them on the back foot and ultimately cost them three places on the leader board.  The French and American pairings won Gold and Silver and I enjoyed watching it all.  There is plenty more action throughout today with curling, skiing and snowboarding and I am looking forward to watching a bit of the speed skating this evening.

The England men's cricketers lost to the West Indies in the T20 World Cup yesterday by 30 runs.

I told my doctor I heard buzzing.

But she said it's just a bug that's going around.

Have a good day!