One Runner At Windsor

It's another bumper day of action with six meetings taking place on the level at Newcastle, Newmarket, Windsor, Chester, Doncaster and Lingfield, while over in Ireland we have the Irish Derby at the Curragh to look forward to.  Mind you the Irish race starts at 6.30pm and I would love to know who thought that one up...I know the Dubai World Cup takes place in the evening, but that is because of the time difference - I don't think that is an issue at the Curragh!  I don't suppose Aidan O'Brien will mind, so long as he can keep up his amazing record in the race - the Ballydoyle trainer is bidding for his eleventh Irish Derby success (and his eighth consecutive one).

Over on these shores the big race of the day is the Northumberland Plate or 'Pitmen's Derby', a race that Martin won twice in the 90's with Tamarpour and Far Cry (who posted the fastest time of the last 25 years).  The Newcastle crowds turn out in force for the big race and they will see a spectacular contest today with twenty runners competing over two miles.  The jumps trainers have a good record in the race and last year it was won by the Donald McCain trained Ile de Re.  It is a really competitive contest with the bookies going 7/1 the field.

The stable has one runner at Windsor this afternoon.  Togiak makes his first start for 616 days in a competitive handicap and he will be ridden by Martin Dwyer.  He looks reasonably treated but has a long absence to overcome.

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The Tour de France starts in Corsica today.  I am not sure I would ever leave my bike unattended in Corsica...you could come back and it would be gone!  There are still a few bandits about I understand.

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Those greedy bookies are trying to steal our cash again.  Following her victory over a no-hoper at Wimbledon yesterday, the layers shortened up British number one Laura Robson to 40/1.  They obviously think that we will be tempted into a sentimental wager.  Serena Wiliams is a 1/4 chance and the next lady in the betting is P Kvitova at 14/1 - that just about sums up the ladies' championship.  The mens is much tighter with Djokovic at evens and Andy Murray at 11/8.  Murray looks to have improved and he can consider himself very unlucky to be born in an era where he has to face three of the greatest players of modern times.  Still, maybe this is his year?