KEMPTON PARK HORSE RACING 2021 - MEETING #10 WEDNESDAY 31st MARCH

Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse a season of evening meetings following the events on a Wednesday night on the all weather flat track under the lights. We will be blogging throughout 2021 till the end of the year. Started well this season and still ahead as March comes to a close. Looking ahead we can see the Aintree festival on the horizon and the official start of the flat turf season has begun with last weekend's Lincoln meeting at Doncaster, the feature race won by Haqeeqy trained by John Gosden and ridden by an exciting apprentice jockey Benoit D L Sayette. this year. Away from horse racing we have important games for AFC Wimbledon (won 1-0 vs Northampton Town) in our fight to survive in league one and loads of Easter Eggs to scoff next weekend. 

Returning to the horse racing all results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) we will be keeping a rolling record of profit/loss all the way through from January till the Boxing Day King George fixture in December. A successful opening first quarter in 2021 means we arrive here with a +33.43 profit and will continue to keep a record to SP throughout the season.

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 33/49 (67.34%). We reset the counters for 2021 and will be continuing this throughout the year again. Currently standing at 11/14 (78.6%) after the latest meeting and we shall see how things progress during the year ahead. 

This week will be our tenth Wednesday evening meeting of the year although sadly it's still being held behind closed doors as we remain locked down as a nation, schools went back and about to have Easter holidays, a roadmap to a more normal life is in progress though. Tonight's meeting we shall now be expecting a nine race card with six handicaps for us to review following the division of two of the original handicaps at the final declaration stage. Our action will now commence at 16:05 with a novice contest for 2yo fillies over five furlongs, then we should end the card around about 20:15 with our final handicap event just under one mile three furlongs. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is that it's getting warmer as Easter approaches some showers in the forecast but a higher temperature of around 20C tonight.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

17:10  Unibet Casino Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus Handicap (3yo) Div One
7f  [Class 6  12 runners]

Details and selections will begin to appear here from Monday afternoon. Our opening handicap for three year olds, had 30 runners at the five day declaration stage and is more likely to be divided into two divisions (which it indeed has).

PINBALL WIZARD [5th 7/2] having had three runs on the all weather in novice events gets in with a relatively lowly handicap mark to begin with, should go well over the seven furlong trip and a reasonable price expected. LHEBAYEB [3rd 80/1] is a filly with a similar profile to our other selection, 5th here on only 3rd start as a 2yo and could have something to offer with bit more experience now. Big price place !!

17:45  Unibet Casino Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus Handicap (3yo) Div Two
7f  [Class 6  11 runners]

The second division of our opening handicap for three year olds. SAY IT AS IT IS [8th 9/1] trained by PD Evans and ridden by Charles Bishop was sent off favourite last outing at Lingfield and while disappointed there this looks easier. BATINDI [7th 9/1] is running in her first handicap with Hollie Doyle booked to ride and was placed on her final run at Chepstow and is stepping up in trip but down in grade.

18:15  Join Racing TV Now Handicap (3yo) Div One

1m  [Class 6  10 runners]

Although yet to get her head in front a chance is being taken on WISPER [4th 5/1] over this trip, needs to be settled better earlier in her races, tends to be thereabouts but the final furlong needs to find a bit more drops from 67 to 55 now might bring about an improvement sooner or later. HESTERCOMBE [9th 33/1] might have been last at huge odds towards the end of her 2yo campaign, but moving up to 3yo handicapping for the first time at this low level I wouldn't be surprised if we see a different outcome this season. Nope. 

18:45  Join Racing TV Now Handicap (3yo) Div Two

1m  [Class 6  10 runners]

3yo filly AMAL [5th 18/1] might not have shown a huge amount in nurseries and only four runs as a 2yo wouldn't need to have improved much as a 3yo to start showing better form in handicaps, this is almost as low as you can go so an outside chance at a decent price for us. FINAL FANTASY [WON 5/2f] was only a head away at the end of her first attempt in a handicap and showed that she's got races in here, Rossa Ryan takes over in the saddle tonight.

19:45  Try Our New Super Boosts At Unibet (London Mile Series Qual) Handicap
1m  [Class 4  11 runners]

This race looks is likely to be the most competitive amongst our handicap races tonight and is a qualifier for the London Mile series. AHDAB [5th 4/1] stepped up and ran well last time out to suggest he's up to this, previously a winner at Lingfield before that run and James Doyle takes over in the saddle. While KONDRATIEV WAVE [7th 13/2] has begun to have his sights (also handicap mark) lowered a little now, 5lb lower than winning mark in conditions event last year, should be a good price with Hollie Doyle booked and an each way play.

20:15  Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Fillies' Handicap

1m 2f 219y  [Class 4  8 runners]

Our finale only has eight declared, AU CLAIR DE LUNE [WON 7/4f] heads them and has the talented apprentice Benoit De La Sayette taking off 7lb he's proved his worth winning last weekend's Lincoln! A light 3yo campaign weakening in the final furlong at Goodwood and this trip/going should be more suitable. GHUMAMA [4th 9/2] creeps in with the lightest weight here, also only had four runs last season, now stepped up in trip and doesn't have to face heavy going this time. Trainer Mark Johnston the ideal man in charge for getting 4yo+ over middle distance trips.

Staked -- 12 points.       Returns -- 6.25 points.
Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. All results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. Our winning start to 2021 continues and these first few months have proved to be successful our overall profit stands at +33.43 pts after meeting #9. We will update tonight's meeting #10 during the course of this evening. Just two winners tonight, so dropped -5.75 points tonight sadly, leaves us on +27.68 points.

Lays -- 11/14 We had a good season last year again with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps.

Tonight's Lays;

19:15 - Troll Peninsula [1m Novice Stakes]. Won (boo) 5/4f

Our next midweek floodlit meeting here will be held on Wednesday 14th April so keep well and hopefully we can have a successful 2021.

AFC WIMBLEDON v NORTHAMPTON TOWN -- 20/21 LEAGUE ONE - PLOUGH LANE 27th MARCH 2021

Saturday 27th March 2021 3:00pm
AFC Wimbledon will 'host' their next home game back in Wimbledon against Northampton Town at the Plough Lane Stadium. I doubt we'll see a game this season with fans not due back till May and some 'test' events to be organised first. Seen some pictures taken at the recent Charlton game of the new stadium and while still a few things to be completed on the perimeter of the stands it does look like the main stand is ready for action. The Dons saw their midweek fixture against Rochdale rescheduled till April, while our opponents today Northampton moved out of the League One relegation zone midweek with a vital 1-0 victory over Oxford. Sam Hoskins scored the only goal of the game early in the second half as the Cobblers claimed their third win from four home games to move two points above the bottom four.  The Dons latest draw with Charlton last weekend kept us in the bottom four, a run of 'home' games needs to begin to produce a victory or two if we are to climb out of the relegation places, and we might even leapfrog Northampton if we manage that win today. 

Onto today's game itself this Saturday in League One and our opponents today, Northampton, have managed to move themselves out of the bottom four with a 1-0 win against Oxford, and are now on 36 points, so a victory today would be more than useful for both sides efforts to stay out of the drop zone. Having lost at Crewe last weekend that important win against Oxford on Tuesday night gives them some momentum with only 10 games left to rescue the season under caretaker manager Jon Brady, who stepped up from U18s coach when Keith Curle departed the club in February (and is now manager at Oldham).

Most Recent League Games
AFC Wimbledon 2 - 2 Charlton Athletic

Northampton Town 1 - 0 Oxford United

Head to Head
Our head to head form against Northampton is very poor since our return to the Football League in 2011, played fifteen times, only winning once back in 2017, seven draws and seven defeats so time to buck the trend and get another win today.

Starting XI's [Confirmed]

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 8/5 [William Hill]

Tzanev (Gk),  O'Neill,  Heneghan,  Nightingale,  Alexander,  Dobson,  Oksanen,  Longman,  🟨Woodyard (c),  Rudoni,  Pigott

SUBS - Cox (Gk), 🟨Palmer,  Chislett,  Assal,  Guinness-Walker,  McLoughlin,  Osew

Northampton Town

Win Odds - 15/8 [William Hill]
Mitchell (Gk),  Kioso,  Jones,  Horsfall,  Mills,  Morris,  McWilliams,  Watson,  Marshall,  Rose,  Hoskins

SUBS - Berry (Gk),  Bolger (c),  Jones,  Korboa,  Ashley-Seal,  Edmondson,  Sheehan

Selected Bets On This Match;

• Over 1.5 goals in 1st half @5/2.
• Ryan Longman to score first @6/1.
• Penalty to be awarded and scored @7/2.
• Over 3.5 goals in match @7/2.

⚽Half Time Score - 0 - 0    

First Half Comments;

The Dons kick off this afternoon at Plough Lane and we are underway this afternoon, an important three points up for grabs as the final ten matches will decide our season. The opening quarter of an hour having passed it's fairly even still waiting on the first effort on target though, probably some nerves out there, need to settle down quickly and create some chances. Will Nightingale does have a header but misses, seems a nervous start here, the game fails to ignite in the opening half and we go in level 0-0 at the break, hopefully it will improve in the second half.

⚽Full Time Score - 1 - 0    [Pigott 88']

Match Summary;
A goal 2 minutes from full time by Joe Pigott seems to have won the game for Wimbledon and moved them up to 21st place in League One with ten games left, level on points with Northampton and separated by one goal on goal difference. With Swindon and Burton also in sight, there is a chance of continuing this form under Mark Robinson to escape the drop.

HOWEVER - 5+ mins into stoppage time Northampton are awarded a penalty but it's SAVED by Nik Tzanev and the points are won phew.  

My Men of the Match - Joe Pigott for the goal, and Nik Tzanev for the stoppage time penalty save .

Attendance - Sadly still no one for the time being. Maybe sometime later this year would be nice, after all we've a new stadium to celebrate in 2021.

Today's Referee - Our match referee for this afternoon will be Mr Ben Toner from Blackburn, Lancashire, very experienced official but hasn't take a game for us since last season (2-1 loss to them), will be assisted on the touchlines by Daniel Cook and Justin Amey. While our fourth official today is Kevin Howick.

Dons next league match:
Good Friday 2nd April vs Plymouth Argyle (Away)
League One Kick off 3.00pm

FA CUP QUARTER FINALS WEEKEND - 20th / 21st MARCH 2021

  

FA CUP SIXTH ROUND
This year's FA Cup has reached it's 1/4 Final stage, all the games will feature on live TV either BT Sport or BBC One, one Championship side still in the competition, Bournemouth, will open the fixtures and as we move closer to the end of the season there is a chance of some fans being allowed back in soon, the Final itself is expected to have up to 20,000 spectators under the current Government guidance. 

SATURDAY 20th MARCH

AFC Bournemouth 0 - 3 Southampton [12:15]
Live on BT Sport
First cup tie live on Saturday lunchtime sees a battle on the south coast as Championship side Bournemouth fight it out against Premier League Southampton for a place in the semi finals of this most famous competition. Quite fancy Bournemouth here as Southampton have been struggling in the latter part of their Premier league season and much will depend on the strength of the sides put out.

Bournemouth should be fancied having beaten high flying Swansea 3-0 in midweek, Dominic Solanke is the main goal threat, while Southampton were beaten at home against Brighton last weekend Che Adams has scored in his last three games and James Ward-Prowse is always a danger from set pieces.

Selected Bets - Probably a low scoring game so 1-0 either side for us.

Result - A comfortable win for the Saints, could have been a more emphatic success as VAR reversed a couple of goals.

Everton 0 - 2 Manchester City [17:30]
Live on BT Sport
A big test for Everton and manager Carlos Ancelotti, up against the runaway league leaders and although the cup can be a great leveller they will have to be on their absolute best to come through this tie. Pep Guardiola has a wealth of talent to call upon for the cup games, I hope that Phil Foden will start, and more goal threat from the likes of Raheem Sterling as well as Sergio Aguero who's City future is still uncertain. City still trying to win four trophies this season, will be facing Tottenham in final of League Cup (April), won 2-0 in their Champions League midweek tie against Borussia Mönchengladbach (4-0 on aggregate) and well ahead in the Premier League.

Everton have a decent front line, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison while waiting on news to see if James Rodríguez is fit enough to even sit on the substitutes bench this evening while Jordan Pickford will miss Everton's FA Cup tie this weekend and three World Cup qualifiers this month after sustaining an abdominal muscle injury against Burnley.

Selected Bets - Over 1.5 goals in first half @7/4. 
Penalty awarded and scored @2/1.

Result - Not the most thrilling of games, and Everton nearly held out but conceded in the final few minutes to an Ilkay Gundogan goal closely followed by one from Kevin De Bruyne for the win.

SUNDAY 21st MARCH

Chelsea 2 - 0 Sheffield United [13:30]
Live on BBC One
Chelsea have shrugged off the disappointment of losing last years final and also seeing manager Frank Lampard replaced by Thomas Tuchel to find themselves close to another chance of silverware this season. They remain in the Champions League places in the Premier League and on Wednesday they overcome Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of this years UCL competition. All signs point to a home win here, as Sheffield United have also parted company with Chris Wilder and sit bottom of the league. They have installed the former Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom as Chris Wilder's replacement until the end of the season, he might be hopeful of once again turning his temporary position into a long-term gig. Suspect Chelsea will rotate players and still have enough to win this, hopefully they will give the likes of Pulisic, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi a chance to start having been on the bench midweek. 

Selected Bets - Over 1.5 goals in the first half @13/8.

Olivier Giroud to score first @3/1.

Result -  2-0 A poor game in all truth, but Chelsea managed to get through thanks to a lucky own goal and a clinical finish in stoppage time to secure their place in the semi finals.

Leicester City 3 - 1 Manchester United [17:00]

Live on BBC One

Our final 1/4 tie features a top four battle which should be interesting to see who wants this most and if they both put out strong teams, hopefully it will be a proper cup tie, Leicester played Sheffield United last weekend in a thumping 5-0 home win, while Manchester had a midweek Europa League tie away at AC Milan. 

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a hat trick in that 5-0 win and together with Jamie Vardy will be a dangerous partnership. Depending on how Manchester United get on during Thursday night might dictate their priorities for this game. The made it through with a Paul Pogba goal 1-0, and appears that Dean Henderson now has the No1 spot in goal. Hopefully it's a high intensity game with plenty of action.

Selected Bets - Jamie Vardy to score anytime @13/8.

Penalty awarded and scored @3/1.

Result - .

FA Cup Semi Final Draw;
Leicester City  vs  Southampton.
Chelsea   vs  Manchester City

This year's semi-finals will take place at Wembley over the weekend of 17th / 18th April 2021.  While this year's final should be then be held on Saturday 15th May 2021 and the possibility of fans in the stadium even if it's only a max of 20,000 at this stage, details will emerge and be updated in the future. 

AFC WIMBLEDON v CHARLTON ATHLETIC -- 20/21 LEAGUE ONE - PLOUGH LANE 20th MARCH 2021

Saturday 20th March 2021 3:00pm

AFC Wimbledon will 'host' their next home game back in Wimbledon against Charlton Athletic at the Plough Lane Stadium. I doubt we'll see a game this season with fans not due back till May and some 'test' events to be organised first. The Dons managed a midweek 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic to at least move us off the bottom rung, while Charlton also had a midweek game at home against Bristol Rovers where they won 3-2. A win this afternoon for the Dons would hopefully get us out of the bottom four relegation places. It's beginning to look like any four from seven with a gap opening up to the teams above. Plus our next fixture against Rochdale has also been moved till 27th April now.

Onto today's game itself this Saturday in League One and our opponents today, Charlton manager Lee Bowyer resigned in the past week which is unusual given they lofty position this season, still in with a shout of the play offs. Clearly plenty still going on behind the scenes at The Valley. Johnnie Jackson had taken caretaker charge in the meantime as Bowyer looks set to take the reins at Birmingham City, until Thursday when Nigel Adkins was given the reins. Charlton came from two goals down to edge a 3-2 League One victory over Bristol Rovers at The Valley, giving caretaker manager Johnnie Jackson three points in his only game moving the Addicks into the play-off places.

Most Recent League Games [Tuesday night]
AFC Wimbledon 1 - 1 Wigan Athletic

Charlton Athletic 3 - 2 Bristol Rovers

Head to Head
Our head to head form against Charlton Athletic is quite even, of our ten fixtures since 2016 we've won four, lost four and the other two have been drawn. Though sadly we got well beat last time 5-2 so improvement in this reverse fixture is essential.

Starting XI's [Confirmed]

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 12/5 [William Hill]

Tzanev (Gk),  O'Neill,  Heneghan,  Nightingale,  🟨Oksanen,  Woodyard (c),  Dobson,  Assal,  Alexander,  ⚽x2 Longman,  Pigott

SUBS - Cox (Gk), Osew,  Rudoni,  Guinness-Walker,  Chislett,  McLoughlin,  Palmer

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Win Odds - 6/5 [William Hill]

Amos (Gk),  Gunter,  Famewo,  Pearce (c),  Maatsen,  Forster-Caskey,  Morgan,  Millar,  Shinnie,  ⚽Stockley,  Washington  

SUBS - Maynard-Brewer (Gk),  Oshilaja,  ⚽Jaiyesimi,  🟨Aneke,  Pratley,  Watson,  Schwartz

Selected Bets On This Match;

• Over 1.5 goals in 1st half @2/1. YES!
• Joe Pigott to score first @5/1.
• Penalty Awarded @5/2.
• Red Card shown @5/1.
• Over 3.5 goals in match @5/2. YES!

⚽Half Time Score - 1 - 2   [Longman 15']   [Stockley 10' Jaiyesimi 21']

First Half Comments;

The Dons kick off and get us underway at Plough Lane, desperate to turn recent draws into victories I hope we start well on the front foot. We win the first corner, and Joe Pigott has his shot blocked early on so positive signs to begin with. Sadly 10 minutes on the clock and we go behind to a Jason Stockley header and we've a long hard road ahead once more. Thankfully didn't have to wait long and it's 1-1 again, Ryan Longman crashes a shot from centre of the goal. This is now a goal fest with one every five minutes or so as substitute Diallang Jaiyesimi puts the Addicks 1-2 ahead with barely twenty minutes on the clock. Game settles down as we pass the half hour with no more goals, Dons still in the game and even possession we just cannot afford to concede again realistically, so grateful to Nik Tzanev in the Dons goal who makes too good saves in the latter part of the half but we go in at the break 1-2 behind.

⚽Full Time Score - 2 - 2    [Longman 65']

Match Summary;
A point won, having been behind twice, still in the bottom four with other results not helping our position and we really need a win soon. Still think that was a decent performance against a side who are looking at promotion, Nik Tzanev also making some good saves. If only Pigott's free kick had gone in... 

My Man of the Match - Ryan Longman - two goals coming from behind twice, important point and display against a top six side.

Attendance - Sadly still no one for the time being. Maybe sometime later this year would be nice, after all we've a new stadium to celebrate in 2021.

Today's Referee - Today's match officials for this weekend will be referee Mr Charles Breakspear from Surrey, a busy official averages about four bookings a game and not afraid to show a red too, lot of penalties in his matches as well so will be looking to play in those markets. The Assistant Referees will be Joseph Stokes and Michael Chard while our Fourth Official is Stephen Brown.

Dons next league match:
Saturday 27th March vs Northampton Town (Home)
League One Kick off 3:00pm

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2021 FRIDAY 19th MARCH [GOLD CUP DAY]

Would usually be expecting a full house of 70,000 racegoers on Gold Cup Day but not this year ! The final day of The 2021 Cheltenham Festival as history could be made in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup as Al Boum Photo goes for a hat trick of wins last achieved by the legendary Best Mate. Plenty of high quality action to end this years meeting though, hope you have enjoyed the week safely at home. Meeting is shown live on ITV channel in Uk.

 
Day Four - 19th March 2021
Weather - A settled day, cloudy with occasional light rain and becoming milder max temp 10C.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Good to soft (Good in places).  

13:20  JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
2m 179y  [8 runners]
The final day traditionally gets underway with three hurdle events before the Gold Cup, the Triumph is always competitive won last year by Burning Victory after Goshen unseated Jamie Moore at the last flight with the race at his mercy. A field of eight 4yo's line up for this latest renewal, Adagio [David Pipe] still finding improvement and should prove hard to peg back, while Haut En Couleurs has now joined Willie Mullins and is the stable selection (also runs Tax for Max). Tritonic has long been fancied for this impressed when winning at Kempton and with Zanahair head the market but I am siding with the wonderful Rachael Blackmore ride Quilixios from the successful Henry De Bromhead stable.

Result - 1st : (4) Quilixios @2/1 [Rachael Blackmore].

13:55  McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
2m 179y  [26 runners]
The County hurdle is a huge field and big betting heat usually, 26 runners will need some luck in running as this 2m event usually run at a fast and furious pace. Field led by 10yo Petit Mouchoir who's jockey will take off a useful 7lbs and this one is likely to be up there from the front early. Very consistent but likely to find something better handicapped today. 

Edwardstone looks a little overpriced at 20/1 for Alan King, ran well recently in a huge field when placed at Newbury, Champagne Gold is another to make note of for the all conquering De Bromhead / R Blackmore combination this week. While Strong Glance just gets into the handicap with a low weight and 25/1 another I would want to back in the place markets in this since the ground has come back nearer 'Good' rather than the heavy ground encountered last time.

Result - 1st : (26) Belfast Banter @33/1 [KC Sexton].

14:30  Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle)
2m 7f 213y  [17 runners]

Tricky hurdle event now as 17 runners face a near 3m trip, where Barbados Buck's (Paul Nicholls) in the same famous colours worn by the likes of Big Bucks so any similarity to him should be very close over this trip having won his last three starts over hurdles. 

Alaphillppe is another ex Irish pointer who has taken well to the smaller obstacles here too, eased to win by 14L last time and will have plenty of support. The Irish challenge appears to rest with the likes of Stattler (W Mullins) and Torygraph (D Foster).

Result - 1st : (17) Vanillier @14/1 [M P Walsh].

AL BOUM PHOTO Winner of the 2019 / 2020 Gold Cups

15:05  WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
3m 2f 70y  [12 runners]
Time for the feature event of the day and indeed for many the entire week, last years winner Al Boum Photo returns again having had a similar preparation and must be taken seriously though there are several here with strong chances too. Frodon is likely to have his supporters but this is a step up in class really and the King George winner might well try and make all but will be a target for all the principals. Champ is another that is stepping up again on all known form, also liable to make mistakes and you cannot afford to do so in this. 

Native River (winner in 2018) and Santini usually battle out things together, chances in what really is quite an open Gold Cup though something usually comes along to test the water and that could well be Royale Pagaille this year, Venetia Williams 7yo winner of three races this year, clearly on the up and if there are any chinks in the armour in the market leaders wouldn't be far away.

All that said I cannot really see past Al Boum Photo making it three Gold Cups.

Result - 1st : (9) Minella Indo @9/1 [JW Kennedy].

15:40  St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
3m 2f 70y  [18 runners].
Usually known as the 'Amateur's Gold Cup' but with the BHA announcing that no amateur riders will be at this years festival it will be interesting to learn what happens with this today. Paul Nicholls has saddled winners of this in the recent past so his Bob And Co a winner of his last three Hunter Chases has to be the one to beat. While there are winners from last couple of seasons to consider 2020 winner It Came To Pass hasn't been in great form this term but could still have a say while 2019 champion Hazel Hill is now 13yo and expected to find a few too strong here. 

JP McManus has two runners in his famous colours, Staker Wallace / Stand Up And Fight both trained by E Bolger could have been prepped for a crack at the festival their double figure odds make some appeal in an open renewal.

Result - 1st : (11) Porlock Bay @16/1 [Lorcan Williams].

16:15  Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2)
2m 4f 127y  [11 runners]

A field of 11 for the penultimate contest in this years festival, headed by four from Willie Mullins yard and Colreevy has won her last three so looks the no1 pick with Paul Townend taking the ride. Elimay (MP Walsh), Salsaretta (B Hayes) and Cabaret Queen (R Blackmore) make up that quartet.

Lively Outsider - Cut The Mustard (Paul Nicholls) 33/1 shot.

Result - 1st : (1) Colreevy @9/4 [Paul Townend].

16:50  Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
2m 4f 56y  [24 runners]
And so we finish off 2021 Cheltenham with a conditional jockeys handicap was hoping for a run from one of my friends horses Calva D'Auge, but hasn't appeared in the final declarations today sadly. One that has crept in though is Langer Dan (Dan Skelton) who won the Imperial Cup last weekend at Sandown and therefore comes here to try and pick up the £50,000 bonus on offer by Paddy Power, good luck to all connections. - just missed out on the bonus finishing 2nd.

Elsewhere in the field we like the chances of Fire Attack for his well heeled owners and connections while David Pipe must be desperate to win a race named after this father and has three entries here Leoncavallo (was a late non runner in the Imperial Cup), First Lord de Cuet (Wincanton winner) and Martinhal the 6yo gets in with a lightweight and may well be the most dangerous of the trio.

Result - 1st : (5) Galopin Des Champs @8/1 [SF O'Keeffe].

And sadly that's the lot for this years 2021 Cheltenham Festival, we will update results later today when I can. More racing throughout the season of course virus' and political cancellations permitting naturally, including the Grand National meeting at Aintree, plus the beginning of the turf flat season.