Trio of Runners

Racing returns to a little normality after a bumper bank holiday weekend but there are still two jumps meetings today and we have runners at both.  We have two runners at Ffos Las this afternoon, Penn Avenue and Mancero and one at Hereford this evening, American Sniper.  Penn Avenue runs in the opening contest on the Ffos Las card, the 2.48pm handicap hurdle over two miles and Rian Corcoran rides for the first time.  She has been consistent in all her runs for us over hurdles and will appreciate returning to a handicap today after running in a novice event at Ayr last time.  She is a tough individual with a good attitude and with Rian's claim an obvious help for the first time I do not think she will be too far away.  She is about 7/1 third best in the betting, the track and ground will be fine she has a first time tongue tie and hopefully she can get her first win.  One interesting bit of trivia involving the race...Penn Avenue finished third at this track for her previous trainer on the flat, beaten a neck by Berkshire Smudge who reopposes today! That was over 1m2f and we were giving our rival seven pounds that day, today, with Rian's claim he gives us six - we shall see!

Mancero runs in the 4.48pm handicap hurdle over 2m4f and Charlie Hammond rides.  Charlie has ridden our four year old before and with Jack at Hereford and Rian not being able to do the weight on this occasion, he was the obvious choice to ride.  Mancero has taken a while to find his feet in Britain but has ran his best two races in his last two starts, finishing fourth at Wincanton and then was runner up over course and distance last time.  The hurdles up the home straight were omitted due to low sun that day but they will be jumped this afternoon.  The winner from that day re-opposes today but we face him on better terms this afternoon and I hope this can be our geldings first win on this side of the Channel.  He is 5/1 second best in the betting.

American Sniper runs in the 7.17pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f at Hereford this evening with Jack Tudor on board.  This meeting was scheduled to be run at Worcester but with that track not ready in time, it was moved here.  Sniper carries top weight in this handicap but is back down to a mark that he can win off.  He has had a little break since he last ran in January but returns today in good form and he will like the track and ground.  I see he is drifting out a bit in the early betting but I wouldn't put anyone off having a little bet if you fancy his chances as I think he has a good chance! 

The flat action comes from Ayr and Wolverhampton today while in Ireland they have a flat card at Gowran Park.

Last night I enjoyed watching the football, it was a great match between Everton and Manchester City but probably not if you were a City fan!  The game was a bit of a rollercoaster with City leading comfortably before mistakes let Everton let them back into the match and take the lead before they did grab a late equaliser to rescue a much needed point but this result does put Arsenal back in the driving seat in the title race.  Nottingham Forrest easily beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to ease their relegation worries.  Tonight we have the return of Champions League football action and Arsenal play Atletico Madrid in the semi-final.  It is evenly poised after the first leg at 1-1 but Arsenal have home advantage and will be hoping to progress to the final.

I just learned there's a little island near Italy with 5 million Sicillion people.

That's officially the largest number I've ever heard in my life.

Have a good day!