Newton Abbot Runners

American Sniper runs at Newton Abbot Today

Temperatures are not supposed to be quite as high here in the west country today which will be nice for everyone at Newton Abbot this afternoon though it still will be pretty hot, just not as hot as yesterday!  We have two runners at Newton Abbot, Ocean Heights and American Sniper and both are partnered by Rian Corcoran.  Ocean Heights runs in the 4.23pm novices handicap hurdle over 2m3f and it will be his first start over hurdles since last summer where he finished third on his only start at Stratford.  He has been running well enough on the all-weather for the last few months without winning and we thought it was worth another go over obstacles.  He enjoys quick ground and is starting to look well treated off his mark, especially when you factor in Rian's claim.  It is a competitive little race however but I do think he has a good each way chance.  I expect him to travel well and hold every chance turning for home but it will then be just what he finds off the bridle.  He has not always been the strongest of finishers over hurdles but hopefully today can be the day and he can get his first win in this sphere.

American Sniper runs in the 4.56pm handicap hurdle over 2m5f and carries top weight minus Rian's claim.  He is now at a rating he can win off but he does have to take a step forward on his run at Hereford last time.  He was returning from a break that day so it is possible he will improve for that run and this is certainly one of the easier assignments he has contested in recent times.  He is a thoroughly likeable individual who is consistent and wins in his turn, hopefully that will be today! 

Newton Abbot will have a big holiday crowd today as will the other jumps meeting up at Cartmel.  There are three flat meetings at Hamilton, Beverley and at Kempton on the all-weather.  In Ireland they have a jumps meeting at Wexford.

Today, myself and Jack Pipe are in Newmarket for a stable staff golf competition.  Hopefully we will get on okay but a lot of the players will have home advantage so it will be tough!

It is the UEFA Conference League final this evening and hopefully Crystal Palace can continue the good run of form in Europe for the Premier League teams.  They play Rayo Vallecano (who I have never heard of!) kick off at 8pm.  

The Somerset women's cricket team are in Vitality Blast action today at home to Yorkshire at 2.30pm.

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are safely through to round two of the French Open Tennis, but British men's number one Cameron Norrie was forced to retire during his match because of injury.  Novak Djokovic (seeded 3) and Alexander Zverev (seeded 2) are both in action today and what is also a very hot Paris!

I just watched a documentary on how ships are built.

It was riveting!

Have a good day!