Tradeskills » horse I really like and the step up to thre

PHOENIX - The St. Louis Cardinals never made it easy on themselves, labouring through injuries and inconsistency, unable to get into the NL Central race until around the All-Star break.Even after they surged into the lead, the Cardinals had a hard time finishing it off, limping to the finish while allowing Pittsburgh to hang around for a chance at the division title.It all came down to game No. 162 and it ended up being the easiest win of the season a€” even if they didnt need it.The Cardinals clinched their second straight NL Central title before the first pitch Sunday and finished off the regular season with a get-to-the-celebration 1-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.Next up: The Dodgers in the NL division series Friday in Los Angeles.Fortunately, we weathered the storm and the guys just put their nose down, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. Im real proud of the guys.The Cardinals were assured of a playoff spot entering the day. What that spot would be depended on whether they could beat the Diamondbacks or Cincinnati knocked off Pittsburgh.The Reds took care of business for the Cardinals by beating the Pirates 4-1, a victory that was announced about 10 minutes before St. Louis game against Arizona.The Cardinals celebrated in the dugout, then it did it again after the final out against the Diamondbacks, wildly spraying each other with champagne and beer after an oh-so-sweet finish to their second straight 90-win season.We know Pittsburgh had a good run, but we had a better one, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said.Once Sundays game started, both teams seemed to go through the motions, the only run coming on Kolten Wongs groundout in the sixth inning off Josh Collmenter (11-9).The Cardinals scratched scheduled starter Adam Wainwright just before the start, using five relievers instead. Justin Masterson (3-3) pitched two scoreless innings and Carlos Martinez got the final two outs for his first save.Arizona went down meekly, managing two hits to finish 64-98, worst in the majors and second-worst record in team history.We had higher expectations coming out of the spring, Arizona reliever Brad Ziegler said. Whether you look at the injuries or the pure lack of execution on the field, this is not how we wanted to finish. We definitely dont feel like we are the worse team in baseball, even though the record says we were this year.The Cardinals went to the World Series last season, yet have seemed to make it hard on themselves this season, taking the NL Central race down to the final game after limping to the finish.St. Louis had a chance to wrap up the division title Saturday night, but couldnt put away the Diamondbacks, losing 5-2 after Mark Trumbo hit a pair of homers.Cincinnati eliminated the drama for St. Louis with a win that sent the Pirates to the wild-card game and St. Louis into the division series. The result was announced at Chase Field about 10 minutes before first pitch and the Cardinals celebrated with a round of high-fives and hugs in the dugout.I think I threw a pitch without looking because I was watching the scoreboard, Wainwright said. It was a great feeling.Matheny said Wainwright would start the season finale regardless of what happened with the Pirates, but he was replaced by Nick Greenwood just before the game.With nothing to play for on either side, the Cardinals and Diamondbacks breezed through a brisk, free-swinging game that was more like spring training than a season finale.COLLMENTERS OUTINGCollmenter was Arizonas best starter down the stretch of the season and turned in another solid outing the finale, even if he didnt get much support. The right-hander allowed three hits in eight innings, dropping his ERA to 1.26 over his final seven starts.I just wanted to finish the season strong, Collmenter said.NUMBERSThe Cardinals notched their 23rd shutout of the season, third-most in team history. The 1968 team had 30 and the 1944 team 26. ... Arizonas Ender Inciarte went 0 for 4 to end a 15-game hitting streak. ... Masterson earned his first win as a reliever since July 5, 2009, against Seattle.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: LF Matt Holliday was out of the lineup after leaving in the sixth inning Saturday night due to flu-like symptoms.UP NEXT:Cardinals: Wainright will start against NL Cy Young Award favourite Clayton Kershaw in the division series opener against the Dodgers. New England Patriots Jerseys . The Redblacks host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-9) Friday night in their last home game of the year and as of Thursday afternoon, the team was anticipating a ninth consecutive sellout. You can watch all the action on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5 beginning at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Brandon Bolden Jersey . Jagr had a goal and two assists, Andy Greene scored 43 seconds into overtime and Marek Zidlicky had two goals as the Devils rallied past the Washington Capitals 5-4 Saturday night. http://www.officialnewenglandpatriotsfoo...t-jersey-womens. Like a magic trick, the puck popped out behind Stalock in the San Jose net. While Sharks coach Todd McLellan decried the legality of the tiebreaking goal, the Los Angeles Kings celebrated their latest, greatest escape yet. Adrian Clayborn Jersey . Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season. JaWhaun Bentley Jersey . -- Jimmie Johnson has a sixth NASCAR championship in hand and two legends within reach.Sky Sports News HQs Alex Hammond provides a race-by-race guide to Friday at the Cheltenham Festival. 1.30 JCB TRIUMPH HURDLEI was always a fan of Aidan OBriens Ivanovich Gorbatov and felt he deserved another chance after his defeat at Leopardstown. However, there are one or two that have raised their heads over the parapet and, if the better ground doesnt bring about an improvement, he could be vulnerable. I tipped up Paul Nicholls Zubayr before he ran in the Adonis at Kempton and he is a serious contender. He has improvement to find to emulate Zarkandar, who took the same route for the stable but, as he cost connections 380,000 euros, he needs to win this and then go on to win the Champion Hurdle next year to recoup his massive purchase price. Another horse that has been given positive mentions is Sceau Royal, who is progressing with every start for Alan King and brings more experience than some into the race. Its Zubayr for me as he will have improved significantly for his hurdle debut. Alex thinks Zubayr has bright prospects in the Triumph Hurdle 2.10 VINCENT OBRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLEGreat Field represents Willie Mullins. This will be his handicap debut after one run for Mullins, where he won impressively over 2m 2f despite being too keen. But that was his first run for around 16 months so he may settle better with the freshness out of him and, dropping in trip, they will go much quicker here. Blue Hell won on his debut for Alan Fleming and was raised 22lbs for that success. I imagine they havent dare run him again for fear of a further rise in the weights. Dan Skeltons Superb Story was raised 9lbs for finishing runner up to Old Guard in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and hasnt run since. He won on debut for the stable and there looks to be more improvement to come. A Hare Breath could be well-handicapped in the County Hurdle 2.50 ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES HURDLESpeaking of Ben Pauling, he has a chance of a quick double with Barters Hill in the following race. This horse keeps getting the job done, but gives the impression of being a bit quirky. Hes got a proper engine though and seems as tough as teak. He had to pull out all the stops to win at Doncaster last time and hell hopefully have learned from that. This will be a real test of his ability to race prominently and keep finding more over three miles round here though. As a result, Ill be taking him on with Neil Mulhollands Shantou Village. He is a horse I really like and the step up to three miles shouldnt cause him any problems. By running here he avoids a re-match with Yanworth, who beat him at Cheltenham on his last outing. He was unbeaten prior to that and has a likeable attitude. He must have good ground though. Willie Mullins has Gangster towards the head of the market. The horse has no stamina doubts as he won convincingly over this trip at Fairyhouse in December. That was on heavy but he handles better ground too. Shantou Village looks to have a good chance in the Albert Bartlett 3.30 TIMICO CHELTENHAM GOLD CUPIve changed my mind like the weather in the run-up to the Festival regarding this race. One thing I know is I wont be backing Cue Card, because he wont stay. Don Cossack is the glamour horse in this, hes Barcelona FC, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Sir Ian Botham, Johnny Wilkinson, the Leicester City of the race! Ive backed Djakadam, but that was before he hit the deck in the trial in January. Last years runner-up looked like another season on his back would help him go one better, but hes got it to prove now. It would be a fairytale for owner Jean Bishop if Cue Card could add to his Haydock and King George wins and pick up the £1m bonus. How is he going to stay up the hill though, and over an extended three and a quarter miles? Cue Card would be a popular winner - but will he stay the trip? The more I look at the race, the more I fancy Don Poli.dddddddddddd He has all the attributes of a Gold Cup winner. He is lazy, slow (ish) and keeps a bit for himself. Only joking of course, but he stays and Im not sure we have got to the bottom of him yet. He has the ideal temperament for a Gold Cup too, as he isnt highly strung and should take it all in his stride. An added bonus is the fact he has already won twice at the Cheltenham Festival. Smad Place will evoke memories of Desert Orchid if he can win for Alan King. Id have said he had no chance after the Hennessy and his run in the King George would confirm that. However, his trailblazing win in the trial, with his great attitude to boot, gives connections a glimmer of hope. I dont think Many Clouds was at his best that day though, so it may not be as strong as it looked on paper. He surely cant beat a couple of these can he? This blog is taking so much time, as I keep stopping to have a bet! Its definitely Don Poli in the Gold Cup.4.10 ST JAMESS PLACE FOXHUNTER CHASE CHALLENGE CUPThe same course and distance as the Gold Cup, but there the comparison ends. The race that allows the professional jockeys a chance to celebrate/commiserate after the Gold Cup. There are of course a handful of very experienced amateurs and they are usually worth their weight in gold. Im hoping for a clear round for Victoria Pendleton on Pacha Du Polder who has done magnificently to get to the level required to ride in this race. I take my hat off to her. Victoria Pendleton will be in action in the Foxhunter Chase 4.50 MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS HANDICAP HURDLEThis often throws up a really good performer and trainers tend to send some smart horses here, so dont be afraid of a horse towards the head of the handicap. There are not too many of Gordon Elliotts horses that the bookies are taking any chances with and Squouateur is one of the Elliott horses with a great shout. Talented conditional Jack Kennedy will ride. Hes a progressive horse with just five starts to his name. Qualando is trained by Paul Nicholls and was ridden by Harry Cobden at Taunton last time out in a getting to know you mission. He won the Fred Winter at last years Festival and should be competitive off 139 here. Better ground than he has experienced of late will suit. Qualando will bid for a second Cheltenham Festival win in as many years Qualando will bid for a second Cheltenham Festival win in as many years 5.30 JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE CUPThe getting out stakes! Next Sensation is bidding for back to back wins in this for Michael Scudamore and he is just 1lb higher in his bid to repeat the win. Jessie Harrington trains Rock The World who won a novice chase at this track back in October and hasnt run since. He has been freshened up and would appear to prefer better ground. Velvet Maker is trained by Alan Fleming for owner Barry Connell and he has plenty to recommend him on his first ever run in a handicap. He won on his chasing debut back in November and has twice since come up against Douvan in Grade 1 company. This trip suits well as he has plenty of pace and I fancy his chances. Lough Kent is Nicky Hendersons only entry in the race named after his father. His mark of 138 is attractive and he hasnt had too much racing since winning his first race in the UK at Warwick back in May. It seems likely that his has been laid out for this race, which is obviously one Henderson likes to target, but its Velvet Maker for me in the last race of the week. Also See: Bet now at Cheltenham! Video replay library Full racing results First race of the day offer ￡10 free bet Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys discount uswnt jersey Wholesale AC Milan Jerseys Wholesale Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. 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