Scu Banks On Bally!

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with four flat cards from Epsom, Catterick, Goodwood and Bath as well as a jumps card from Market Rasen.  The wooden spoon goes to Bath today who manage to put on a pitiful £28,000 across their seven race card.  I know there is a horseman's agreement in place with a tarriff for each type of race, although surely the time has come to put a lower limit on the amount of prize money awarded at a race meeting?  David has one runner, Border Breaker in the 4.55pm at Market Rasen - he was twice a winner last season with cut in the ground and while he disappointed on his final start, the application of cheek pieces could make a difference.  Tom Scudamore has four rides at the meeting today.

Talking of Tom Scu, I see that he rode a winner at Ffos Las last night whilst he finished runner-up on the stable's Lady Of Longstone and fourth on Houston Dynimo on the same card.  To my mind it looked like Houston Dynimo didn't quite get home over the three mile trip, while Lady Of Longstone ran another good race to only be beaten 3 1/2 lengths and she looks sure to be winning again.  Jockeys' championship leader Richard Johnson was on the mark again yesterday with a double, while David remains at the head of the trainers' championship.

The Pond House runners for the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil on Sunday, Ballynagour and Un Temp Pour Tout both set off on their long journey last night and David confirmed jockey bookings for the pair yesterday.  Tom Scudamore has plumped for recent Prix la Barka winner Ballynagour, while James Reveley has picked up the plum spare ride aboard Un Temp Pour Tout.  I can't wait to see the race which takes place at 2.08pm (British time) Sunday.

I was most amused by one of the non-runners at Lingfield yesterday...the absentee was called "I Am Not Here" - you couldn't make it up!

As you can see from the picture above, I have been at my artistic best to bring you some great shots from the gallops! We have been enjoying some glorious weather and pictured above are Skylander and recent Wetherby scorer Rathlin Rose being put through their paces.

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There is an almost interesting football match between Scotland and Qatar and the bookies have the Scots as their 1/2 favourites.  The Scottish are ranked 28 in the world and Qatar 97 according to Fifa rankings.  I wonder if any money was involved in those rankings?!

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Serena Williams made it through the latest round of the French Open at Roland Garros, but not without surviving a bit of a scare.  Williams said that she was not feeling well after losing the first set, although there didn't look to be too much wrong with her as she won the decider 6-0.  As far as I can tell she just frightens the life out of her opponents.  Perhaps they should consider pairing them up like boxers according to weight?  The trouble is she would have no-one to play!

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Did you know that an adult bear can run as fast as a horse?  It would seem that I have been backing a few Yogi's lately!

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