Noel's 2nd At Newton

We had three runners yesterday afternoon at Newton Abbot and Noel's Boy (pictured above) fared the best of them, finishing runner-up in the bumper.  Our four year old was only having his second ever start (having finished second in a point-to-point) and he ran well behind a very promising looking winner despite still showing signs of inexperience.  He was purchased for £12,000 at Ascot earlier in the year and is looking like another good value buy based on this evidence.  He can only improve for the run and should be more than capable of winning something similar before long.

There are six meetings taking place this afternoon with all of the action coming on the flat from Sandown, Haydock, Beverley, Chelmsford, Carlisle and Nottingham.  The big race of the day is the Coral Eclipse at Sandown at 3.35pm .  Frankie Dettori will be popular aboard dual Arc heroine Enable for John Gosden.  She hasn't run for 245 days, although I can't see her failing through lack of fitness.

I was sorry to hear that John McCririck has passed away at the age of 79.  I once did a few television programmes with John on a Saturday morning and he kept telling me, "Just be yourself".  He was a great character and I know that Mrs Barnes always enjoyed watching the banter between McCririck an John Francome on the Morning Line...as soon as they were taken off she stopped watching.  As I keep saying, racing needs it's characters and in John McCririck we truly had one of the best.

It is long-standing owner Stuart Mercer's birthday today and he certainly doesn't look to be 77 years old.  I was going to say that it must be all the brightly coloured clothes that he wears, although it may have more to do with the countless lengths swimming that he does.  Many happy returns Stuart - we hope you have a fabulous day!

Talking of birthdays, one of our travelling head lads, Bob Hodge celebrates a big one today as he celebrates his 50th birthday.  The trouble with Bob is that he is a Celtic supporter...sorry Sean!  Have a great day Bob.

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What a comeback for fifteen year old Coc Gauff on centre court last night as she survived a match point to beat Polona Hercog 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-5.  The victory means that she is into the last 16 of the tournament and she is now guaranteed prize money of at least £176,000...not bad for a fifteen year old.  Mind you, she looks a bit older than that.

Paul Pogba is getting him out of Manchester United.  I just wonder how much the agent will pocket from the move?  It seems that the whole game is run by the agents these days and the clubs don't have any control at all.  My team, West Ham have had a right result as they have managed to get rid of Marko Arnautovic.  You don't need players who don't want to put 100% into their club.

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I am correct 97% of the time..who cares about the other 4%?  Have a great weekend...

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