Paltry Prizes!

There are just three flat cards taking place this afternoon; Musselburgh, Wolverhampton and Brighton.  The cumulative total of prize money for the three meetings is just £97,000 - I say just, because there is a mixed card taking place at Listowel in Ireland this afternoon that offers £99,000 on it's own...that puts our prize money into perspective.  How on earth Brighton can continue to get away with £27,000 across their seven race card amazes me.  Personally, I think there should be a rule stating the minimum amount of prize money that should be offered, or am I the only one who thinks like this?  Racing is an expensive sport for the owners and there should be a little more encouragement for them to stick with the sport, rather than offer these prohibitive prizes - in most of the races, the owners can expect to pick up £144 for finishing fourth...I don't know what they are supposed to do with that!

There are just three flat cards taking place this afternoon; Musselburgh, Wolverhampton and Brighton.  The cumulative total of prize money for the three meetings is just £97,000 - I say just, because there is a mixed card taking place at Listowel in Ireland this afternoon that offers £99,000 on it's own...that puts our prize money into perspective.  How on earth Brighton can continue to get away with £27,000 across their seven race card amazes me.  Personally, I think there should be a rule stating the minimum amount of prize money that should be offered, or am I the only one who thinks like this?  Racing is an expensive sport for the owners and there should be a little more encouragement for them to stick with the sport, rather than offer these prohibitive prizes - in most of the races, the owners can expect to pick up £144 for finishing fourth...I don't know what they are supposed to do with that!

Congratulations to Tom Dascombe and his team for their great win in the Irish St Leger at the weekend with Brown Panther.  I thought Richard Kingscote gave him an excellent ride, kicking on entering the straight and never looking likely to be caught.  He is part-owned by former England footballer Michael Owen who looks well pleased in the photo on the front page of the Post.

*****

The latest in our series of images from the gallops is of Sivron (nearside, Jules Shergold) and Famousandfearless (Bob Hodge).  Both winning Irish point-to-pointers, Sivron is yet to make his debut for the stable although I'm sure you will be seeing him on the racecourse before too long.

*****

I see that it is  Lord Harris of Peckham's 72nd birthday today...I always thought it was Del Boy of Peckham!  I am of course referring to my favourite television program of all time, Only Fools And Horses.  I used to see Nicholas Lyndhurst (Rodney) around Selsey Bill when I was playing ping pong around the Pontins holiday camps.  I am told that David was in the company of Boycie in London on Friday.

*****

The papers always seem to go over the top whenever Manchester United get a good result.  They were impressive in beating QPR 4-0, but it is a match they really should have won anyway.  In fact, I did say that United could get a cricket score!  QPR looked terrible and I would imagine that they will struggle to stay up.  At least Stuart, Tony and Eddie will be happy for a few days.

*****

Onto golf and Andy Sullivan had a hole in one at the weekend and won a trip into space worth £100,000...If I was Andy that would be going straight onto EBay!

?