Off To Ireland!

I'm afraid it's another blank day if you are a fan of the jumps as there are six meetings taking place this afternoon and they are all on the flat with the action coming from Hamilton, Haydock, Newbury, Newmarket, Nottingham and Pontefract.  The other thing I noticed about today was that there are 41 races and there is not a single seller or claimer among them.  Back in my time as assistant to MCP we used to get lots of our horses out of these type of races - I may be looking back through rose tinted spectacles but there seemed to be more opportunities to obtain horses from those races.  I remember one day claiming the first three home in a race from Bath - owners and trainers were following us around trying to find out which horses we were going to try to claim.  I wonder why there aren't more sellers or claimers these days - with all of these 0-60 and 0-65 handicaps on the flat, you cannot tell me that there are not enough horses to run in them!

I am going with Martin today to visit Gordon Elliott's stable over in Ireland.  As you know, Gordon used to work at Pond House and rode as a very capable amateur jockey - I use the word "work" in the loosest possible terms!  He has gone on to become a very good trainer winning a Grand National and is currently leading the Irish Championship.  I will be taking the camera so hopefully will be able to bring you a few good shots of the Irish countryside!

There is a great picture of Newmarket Mayor, trainer John Berry in today's Racing Post.  Perhaps we should have a collection for him to sort out his wardrobe?  His clothes even make the chain around his neck look dull!

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So much for Tiger Woods' assertion that he can win the Open.  He went out early yesterday, had the best of the weather and shot a round of 76 which is eleven strokes behind the leader Dustin Johnson.  I hate to see it when these formerly great sportsmen have completely gone - Tiger is just a pussy cat these days.

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Onto the cricket and it looks as though the pitch at Lords has been set up for a draw.  The Australians finished the first day on 337-1.  They should get at least 550 so England can only lose or draw.  It looks a real beauty for batting.

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Why do we continue to entertain disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong on the airwaves?  He still maintains that as he has owned up to everything, he should be allowed to compete again.  As far as I am concerned we shouldn't have to listen to such a dope!

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