Haydock, Warwick Runners

There are seven meetings taking place this afternoon with four flat cards from Lingfield, Ascot, Nottingham and Thirsk as well as jumps fixtures from Hexham and Warwick and of course a quality mixed card from Haydock.  It is Swinton Hurdle day at Haydock and the stable runs Serienschock, Alternatif, Rathealy and Ainsi Fideles at the meeting, while Willem and It'll Be Grand go at Warwick.  I must admit that I thought Alternatif (pictured above) would go well in the Long Distance handicap hurdle, although my enthusiasm was slightly tempered when the Racing Post correspondent plumped for our other runner Serienschock.  They say you should never change your mind so I will stick to my guns although I would be pleased if either of ours were successful.

As I have already mentioned, the big jumps race of the day is the valuable Swinton Hurdle at 3.25pm and David runs an improver in the shape of Rathealy (pictured right).  He shouldn't have any trouble with the rain-softened ground and he should run a big race.  Both Tom Scu and Conor O'Farrell will be travelling between meetings this afternoon.

I thought that Prince Of Poets ran a respectable race on his debut for the stable at Market Rasen.  He was beaten little over six lengths in the bumper and was trying to concede weight to all of his rivals for his previous success.  It is always difficult to defy a penalty in this type of race and I am certain that he will be winning over hurdles before too long.

Did you know that if you train a winner at Market Rasen it is the policy of the track to give you a box of Piper's crisps?  I see that Oliver Sherwood had a double at the course yesterday which means that 80 bags of crisps will be making their way to Rhonehurst, although at Oliver's age he will have trouble opening the bags!  I am only joking - Oliver is forever having a pop at me!

How times change...I see that Tiger Woods was punching the air yesterday like he had just won the Players Championship, although his jubilation was merely because he had made the cut!  He needed a birdie on the last hole - a 583 yard par 5.  He still doesn't look like he has a lot of control off the tee in my opinion.

There should be an interesting Premier League football match on this afternoon between Newcastle and West Brom.  You can get 12/1 that Newcastle lose their last three matches - they also have matches against QPR (away) and West Ham (home), so they should really be able to earn at least a draw from one of those.  Even so, they are going through such a bad spell, I am not certain.  For what it is worth, my football bets for this weekend are: Aston Villa at evens, Hull at evens and Everton at 5/6.

It is amazing to think that Chelsea have already sewn up the Premier League, yet manager Jose Mourinho has yet to win the manager of the month award!  I wonder who picks the winner?  Maybe it is the Newcastle manager?!

Finally, another fascinating fact...did you know that your eyes are 25% of your brain power?  I can't see that!

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