Derby Day!

It is a bumper day of racing this afternoon with seven meetings taking place.  Five of those cards are on the level and the action comes from Epsom, Musselburgh, Doncaster, Lingfield and Newcastle with supporting jumps fixtures from Hexham and Worcester.  The big race of the day of course is the Derby at Epsom which takes place at 4.30pm, while there is also the final leg of the Triple Crown over in the USA with the American Pharaoh bidding to become the first winner of all three legs since Steve Cauthen and Affirmed.  Most importantly though, the stable has two runners in the 4.05pm race at Worcester this afternoon - a 2m4f handicap hurdle.  Perspicace (pictured above, Tom Scudamore) is a promising youngster who won on his debut for the stable, while Bathwick Man the mount of amateur David Noonan is a grand old veteran who wins in his turn.

The stable had one runner at Market Rasen yesterday and I though that Border Breaker was going to make the trip pay off as he jumped the last in front.  Unfortunately he was just mugged on the line by Kilfinichen Bay to whom he was trying to concede 11lbs.  The application of cheekpieces certainly seemed to liven him up and if the handicapper doesn't go crazy, he looks like the type to be winning again in the not too distant future.

As mentioned, it is Derby day today and with over £800,000 to the winner there is plenty at stakes.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to see another flying dismount from Frankie Dettori who is aboard favourite Golden Horn.  The colt has won all three of his starts including the most reliable Derby Trial, York's Dante Stakes.  While his stamina is not assured on pedigree, he was most impressive in the Dante and didn't look to be stopping in the closing stages.

What about the shock winner of the Oaks yesterday?  Aidan O'Brien's filly was sent off an unconsidered 50/1 chance but got up in the closing stages to beat Ryan Moore on hot favourite and 1,000 Guineas winner Legatissimo.  Not only did O'Brien train the winner, he bred her as well.  The second home was a Coolmore horse - I wonder if the Magnier's and Smith's said "well bred!" to him afterwards?!

Since retiring from the saddle, I am reliably informed that A P McCoy has put on 10lbs.  He was asking footballer turned radio presenter Alan Brazil how to avoid putting too much weight on.  Alan said, "I have got my weight stable" although I think what he meant was that he is about the size of a stable!  Brazil is now 4 stone over his playing weight.

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I thought that one of the men's semi-final at Roland Garros between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic was one of the best tennis matches I had ever seen...right up until rain stopped play.  Having lost the first two sets, Murray did well to win the third and is 3-3 in the fourth - they resume this morning...don't miss it!

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It is the Champions' League final tonight and I can't see the terrestrial television companies drawing huge audiences to see Barcelona take on Juventus.  The bookmakers make Barcelona their 8/13 favourites and that looks like a good bet to me.

Also on the football front, I was amused to see Tom Cleverley sign for Everton.  He couldn't get into the Manchester United side, although now he has been picked for the England squad.  Someone is going to look proper clever!

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Finally, did you know that the average person spends three years of their life on the toilet?  I guess now you really can see your life going down the pan!

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