Variance In Going

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Catterick and Southwell as well as a jumps fixture from Chepstow.  There are no runners from Pond House today although stable jockeys Tom Scudamore and David Noonan have both picked up spare rides at Chepstow.  I can see the ground there being bottomless so if you are thinking of having a wager, make sure that your selection acts on heavy going.

Looking at the ground further ahead and it would be no surprise if we were to lose some fixtures.  The thing that does surprise me is that Taunton is currently good/firm ahead of their meeting tomorrow, whilst Newton Abbot inspect this afternoon for their meeting on Thursday as they are heavy (waterlogged in places).  I can tell you that I live quite close to Newton Abbot and it has been pouring down all night.  It is their last fixture of the season so it would be great if it went ahead, but it doesn't look promising at this stage.

I see that jockey Wayne Hutchinson has decided to call it a day and retire from the saddle at the age of 38.  That seems young to me, although in jockey terms I suppose that is old.  He joined Alan King when he was just 21 and has been there ever since, riding 795 winners over jumps and 1 on the flat.  He is going out in one piece which is always a good thing.  Congratulations on an excellent career.

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There is some football action to look forward to with Southampton taking on Manchester City in the EFL Cup tonight.  Remember, Southampton were beaten 9-0 by Leicester last time so this has the capacity to get out of hand.  I don't suppose Southampton will be looking forward to this match very much.  I guess a lot will depend on the team that City's manager decides to put out.  They are 1/10 so too short to back.  Instead, I will be having a wager on  Everton at 3/4 and Torquay at 11/10.

I was relieved to hear that former boxing champion Nigel Benn has decided not to make a come back to the ring at the age of 55.  He is suffering with severe shoulder pain and much as I admire Benn, I think this has to be considered good news.  If he had been injured in the ring it would have done the sport no good at all.

In the snooker Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered his worst defeat in years when he was beaten 5-3 in the qualifying rounds of the World Open in China to Dominic Dale.  Whilst a very good player on his day, Ronnie had never lost to Dale in 27 years...and the place did not smell of urinals!

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I just got hit over the head with a Power Tool.
I was sitting there minding my own business, then next thing I know…“Bosch”

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