Two Runners Today

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon - two over the sticks at Chepstow and Fontwell and an all-weather flat card at Southwell.  The stable runs Virtuel d'Oudon at Fontwell and Mystical Flame at Chepstow.  Virtuel d'Oudon (pictured above) looks interesting having scored on his debut for the stable in a Plumpton bumper - he kept pulling out more that day and as a winning pointer, he looks sure to benefit from this longer trip on his first start over timber.  He clearly jumps and stays and he gets 6lbs from main danger Arthurs Oak - Conor O'Farrell takes the ride.

I thought that Keep The Cash ran an improved race at Taunton yesterday afternoon even though he eventually weakened to finish seventh although he was only beaten five lengths.  If he had jumped the last cleanly he could well have made the frame - there looks to be a similar contest in him at some point.  Meanwhile Western Diva finished fourth in the bumper at Towcester having taken quite a keen hold in the first time hood.  She certainly possesses ability and is another who should be capable of winning before long.

I had to listen to my whingeing mate moaning in the betting shop again yesterday afternoon - it seems a common theme in these betting establishments that the customers talk through their pockets.  Whenever this particular gent loses his money he always blames the jockey, although having said that on this occasion he may well have a point.  Watt Broderick didn't seem to get an awful lot of assistance from the saddle yesterday and will need to run again shortly before a new, higher handicap mark kicks in.  If he can't win from a mark of 100, he is going to struggle from higher.

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There is a great football match to look forward to tonight between Manchester City and Manchester United.  There should be plenty of goals with both defenses looking a little bit dodgy.  United's back four look a bit slow and City's attack is all about speed - I can't wait for the kick-off at 7.45pm.

I see that Neil Warnock has rejected the chance to take over at Nottingham Forest.  The deciding factor was the he was not going to have the final say on transfers.  Surely if you are the manager of a football team, you should have your say on who you want to play for the side?  Or maybe I am just missing something...

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