Pair Of Thirds At Newton

Although we didn't get into the winners enclosure yesterday, I thought that Purple 'N Gold (pictured above) ran well to finish third in the competitive handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot - he looked as though he stayed this longer trip of 2m3f, although he does not always find as much as anticipated off the bridle.  Even so, this should open up a few more options for him.  Skylander also finished third in the closing bumper, although he already looks as though he is going to want a longer trip.

There is an interesting afternoon of action lined up this afternoon with no less than six meetings taking place.  There is a strange mixed card from Ffos Las as well as five flat fixtures from York, Newmarket, Hamilton, Goodwood and Newcastle.  The seven race card at Newcastle has a paltry £30,000 in prize money up for grabs yet there are still plenty of runners...I wonder if there was no prize money at all, if the trainers would still enter their horses?

Even at the ripe old age of 40, champion jockey A P McCoy is showing no signs of slowing down.  He rode a couple of winners at Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon to reach 100 winners for the season, beating his own previous record.  The ton has just taken him 117 days (of which only 79 of them had a jumps fixture) - absolutely incredible!  He is setting records that in 50 years time, people will say were impossible...well, I am saying it now!  I must be ahead of my time!

It is hard to believe that flat jockey Jamie Spencer is packing in race riding at the age of 34.  All sports people I know say go on as long as possible, although try to get out while you are still at the top of your game.  Nothing replaces the buzz you get from taking part in sport...having said that, I packed in International table tennis at the age of 27 although I was probably told to pack it in!

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As far as I can tell Liverpool have just bought themselves £16million worth of trouble.  I reckon they should appoint me as their agent...why are A C Milan willing to let him go?  They certainly don't need the money, so that is the question they should be asking at Anfield.
Meanwhile Tottenham beat Limassol 2-1, coming from a goal down to get the victory.  I am glad to collect, but it wasn't without a few anxious moment and Spurs certainly didn't perform like 4/9 shots.

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Rory McIlroy posted a disappoint round of 74 in the FedEx Cup yesterday and is now nine shots off the lead.  He's probably been overdoing the socialising after his incredible run of form.  He even had dinner with Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United game the other night.  Maybe he's hungry?  Perhaps Wayne ate all the food?!  Anyway, it doesn't look as though young Rory will be making it a fantastic four in a row.

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Thought for the day...I always check my wife's horoscope to see what sort of a day I am going to have! 

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