One Runner At Newton

It is a quiet day for a Friday with just three cards taking place this afternoon.  There are flat cards from Newbury and Newcastle as well as a jumps card from Newton Abbot taking place.  David has one runner at our local track Newton Abbot as Bambi du Noyer contests the boys' handicap hurdle over 2m2½f at 4.10pm.  Our gelding has won five times in France and has reached the frame on each of his four starts for the stable to date - he deserves to go one better soon and will be partnered by David Noonan who takes 3lbs off his back.  Meanwhile, following the abandonment of Ayr yesterday due to waterlogging, officials have been left with little choice but to call off the second day of their fixture as well.

I was watching the fillies' maiden stakes at Yarmouth yesterday and was intrigued to see one of Sir Mark Prescott's runners, Connoisseur sent off at 100/1.  I am sure she will be placed to effect and will be winning at some point, although I doubt very much that she will be 100/1 when she does.

It is good to see that common sense has prevailed over the three jockeys who did not see a yellow flag waved to stop a race at Perth recently.  Under appeal, the jockeys' bans were reduced significantly from ten days to two days...a good call.  I reckon I would have made an excellent steward.

Back to Newton Abbot today and I see that the opening novices' chase has attracted just two runners and they are both from the Nicholls' yard.  If I were the sponsors Devondale Electrical I would be very disappointed - these sort of races do absolutely nothing for racing in this country.

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It seems that football clubs don't have any say in what their players want these days.  All the players need to do is go on strike, such as Diego Costa who will no doubt get his way and go to Atletico Madrid, while Chelsea will collect £60 million.  Furthermore, Atletico could parade their new signing before their match with Chelsea on Wednesday.  It is more like a pantomime these days.

In snooker David Gilbert knocked out favourite John Higgins in the World Open in China.  He beat Higgins 5-2 and this has to be a better way of making a living than working on his father's potato farm!

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Growing up as a kid in the East end of London my family were really poor.  I was made to walk the plank as we couldn't afford a dog!  Have a nice day...

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