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Tanya's Blog - 24th November 2011

Dravid reaching 13,000 Test runs and Tendulkar walking to the crease to a reception which would make Saturday’s greeting to Kauto Star seem a whisper softened the blow of a late Racing Post delivery. In fact I have circumnavigated, by foot, the whole town to find one hidden away in the local supermarket to much relief, now that would have been 999-1 on the exchanges.

With Tendulkar in at his favourite ground in Mumbai all eyes will be looking for the 100 hundreds. Pakistan were brilliant last night in winning their series against Sri Lanka, 4-1 and I shouldn’t think it long before the ‘Baggy Greens’ will be back in action against South Africa and don’t worry I am counting down the days to the Kiwis' return.

With all the cricket it shows there is no rain around the world but they are in climates where that is the norm. However a near drought for all our racecourses is leading to some unbelievable going descriptions for this time of the year and field sizes suffering.

All eyes will be on Grands Crus in Newbury’s 2.10 as he takes step two towards the RSA Chase in March. A horse like him is always exciting to watch and fingers tightly crossed for a clear round.

I haven’t really got any strong fancies at Newbury but I will be paying close attention to Psi in the 1.35 and Leading Contender in the 2.45, the latter is very talented when completing the course and too big a price too miss.

Checking the exchanges at Uttoxeter, HAYJACK (12.20) is a lot shorter than any betting synopsis expected, trading around 5-4 at the time of writing. He did well on his hurdling debut at Exeter just over three weeks ago and the stable are in top form. Hayjack wrapped up in a double with MILLY MALONE in Towcester’s 4.00 appeals. She ran well over the course on her second start of the season and is open to any amount of improvement on handicap debut.

Hope many of you caught sight of a star of the future at Wetherby yesterday in HAZY TOM or perhaps you had him jotted down in your notebooks already. He gave me the impression if he didn’t visit the winners enclosure at the Cheltenham Festival they’ll be making way for him at Aintree in April!

POINTERS

Paul Nicholls has won Newbury’s 2.10 four times in the last 10 years

Phillip Hobbs has won Newbury’s 3.20 four times in the last 10 years

Jim Best has had four winners from his last five runners

Nicky Henderson has had seven winners from his last 10 runners and has five at Newbury this afternoon

Barry Geraghty has had seven winners from his last 10 rides for Nicky Henderson and will be looking forward to his visit to Newbury today

Emma Lavelle’s last four runners have won and she has three at Newbury and two at Uttoxeter today

Brendan Powell has had five winners from his last 14 runners