What No Jumps?!

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Haydock, Beverley, Brighton, Kempton and Hamilton so I'm afraid you are out of luck if you are a fan of the jumps.  It's time to name and shame Brighton today who put up a paltry £30,000 for their seven race card.  Sir Frank Morgan finished sixth at Fontwell yesterday afternoon on his first try in a handicap - he didn't appear to see out this longer trip, although he was a thorough stayer on the flat.  Meanwhile Race To Glory ran okay to finish third although I thought he was a little hard done by to be put up 7lbs for finsihing second at Newton Abbot last time - I don't suppose he will be dropped by 7lbs for this?!

I see that plans have been approved for another all weather track at Newcastle.  I am not sure what is really to be gained from this...it will just provide more fodder for the betting shops as it is most likely to be more low-grade racing for terrible prize money and next to zero attendance.  The only people making money from this will be Arena Racing while it will be the racehorse owners having to fork out once again.  Apparently it looks like the Northumberland Plate is to be held on the jumps course - I have a better idea, why not take the race away from Newcastle altogether and have it at Catterick?!

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There was a good result for England's cricketers as they convincingly beat New Zealand in their one day match.  On that showing you would expect them to go on to win the series although cricket does not work like that...especially if you are English!  There were great centuries from Joe Root and Jos Butler and it begs the question, why don't they play like that in the five day game?  Anyway, as I say England are just as likely to lose the next match.

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Talking of England losses there was another one in the football yesterday as England Ladies lost to France 1-0 in the women's World Cup.  The French Ladies certainly play a bit hard and should have had at least one player sent off.  The referee was absolutely useless - it sounds like the same familiar stories that you get in the men's game!

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In golf I see that Woods shot a record 63 in Ontario yesterday...no, not Tiger Woods but his niece Cheyenne!  She was competing in the LPGA Classic and was upholding the family name - at least there is a Woods who can still play!

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In 1980 there was a traffic jam in France that was measured at 109 miles.  We have one of those everyday in Britain - it is called the M25!

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