Tuesday Thoughts

There are two jumps meetings today at Market Rasen and Newton Abbot but the stable does not have any runners.  Rian Corcoran is in action at Newton Abbot and Jack Tudor is also supposed to be riding but I am not sure if he is today or not just yet.  He is pretty sore after two falls at the weekend and did not ride again yesterday and missed out on a winner at Fakenham which was partnered by Sean Bowen.  He went for some scans which thankfully came back clear so I guess he will just be seeing how he is feeling this morning before deciding if he rides or not.  Taking a fall at anytime is never nice but with the ground a bit drier at the moment they have to hurt a bit more!  These jockeys are made of tough stuff.

Turf flat action returns to Newmarket today while there is also action on the all-weather at Lingfield.  In Ireland they have one jumps meeting at Clonmel.  There is possibly one star on show at Newmarket today, Godolphin's 2,000 Guineas second favourite, Talk of New York returns to action in the 7F Conditions stakes at 2.25pm.  The Charlie Appleby trained colt is looking to gain more experience ahead of the 2,000 Guineas for which he is a 6/1 chance.

Constitution Hill has been entered at Newbury on Saturday as planned in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes over 1m4f.  This would be his first flat start on the turf but he is not a definite runner as Nicky Henderson is a little worried about the ground.  The Berkshire track is described as being good to firm at the moment and while they are watering there is little chance of rain helping from above in the coming days.  Constitution Hill has never ran on ground quicker than good in his career and Henderson plans to walk the course on Wednesday morning.  He reports his star to be in good form and even if he lines up it will be a proper test of his unbeaten flat record with some proven flat horses holding entries.  William Hill opened up the betting for the race with Constitution Hill at 10/1 but those prices were soon snapped up and I believe he is now down to about 9-2 with most firms.  I would love to see him tackle this race so we get a proper idea of his flat ability but I would think his participation is quite doubtful but what do I know!

Manchester United lost 2-1 at home to Leeds last night.  They did have a player sent off for pulling hair which is described as violent conduct and a straight red these days.  While this did not help they were already 2-0 at this point and played poorly.  They did get better with 10 men and pulled a goal back but ran out of time to get an equaliser.  Champions League quarter final action returns this evening and Liverpool have a tough ask to try to overcome a 2-0 deficit to Paris St Germain from the first leg.  They are at home this evening which will be an advantage but it will be a tough ask.  Barcelona are also looking to overturn a 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid to make the semi-finals.

Some people say the grass doesn't get wet in the morning...

But it dew.

Have a good Tuesday!