Eamon In Ireland

   Eamon An Cnoic runs at Punchestown

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon on the flat with the action coming from Redcar, Southwell, Musselburgh, Chelmsford and Salisbury, whilst over in Ireland there is a jumps card from Punchestown.  There is one runner from Pond House today as Eamon An Cnoic contests the two mile handicap chase at Punchestown at 4.15pm.  Tom Scudamore is over there to partner our eight year old who would have a fine chance on his good run at the Cheltenham Festival.  His best form does seem to be with cut in the ground, although he has won on good going.  He is still 7lbs above his last winning mark but looks to have each way claims at odds of around 10/1.

The big news from Ireland yesterday was that Ruby Walsh announced his retirement with immediate effect after he had won the Punchestown Gold Cup aboard Kemboy.  I loved his statement that said, "Any jockey is only as good as the horse they're riding and I was lucky to ride some of the best, some of the best in history."  When I look at Irish racing, I always looked to see where R Walsh was riding - that tells you how good he was.  He will be missed - it takes a long while to get a reputation like Ruby's.

I thought Kemboy was impressive yesterday, he jumped well and never really looked in any trouble.  It sounds like I backed it!  I see Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs are teaming up at Punchestown today with Defi Du Seuil in the 6.40pm.  This Cheltenham Festival winner looks another great chance for owner JP McManus to score again.

I thought we had the best football league in the World in this country?  Well Barcelona took Liverpool apart last night and beat them 3-0.  Their star man Messi looks like he comes from a different planet!  He scored two goals which brought up 600 goals he has scored for Barcelona.  Maybe we don't have the best league or maybe some of the other countries just have better top teams?  Tonight it is the Europa Cup and Arsenal play Valencia and Frankfurt play Chelsea.  I think I will just watch these two matches!

Manager Neil Warnock has been fined £20,000 for comments he made about the referee following his sides 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.  I do not agree with the FA on this one.  Surely referees are not always right but according to the FA they are.

I agree with Anthony Joshua who slammed boxing chiefs for not clamping down on drug cheats after Jarrell Miller received a six month ban.  He tested positive for the separate substances.  You know my thoughts, a life time ban.

If money talks, why won't it have a conversation with me?!  Have a nice day.