Weekend Jottings

There are only two meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Carlisle and Huntingdon.  David doesn't have any runners this afternoon, although stable jockeys Tom Scudamore and David Noonan both travel to Huntingdon where they have picked up an outside ride apiece.  They look to have fair chances too, so let's hope the journey is made worthwhile for them.  Meanwhile, across the Irish Sea there is a decent flat card at Naas where they have an abundance of runners, whilst there is some quality jumping action from Cork.

The next runners from the Pond House team could come at Hereford or Plumpton tomorrow where we have an entry at either meeting.  Queen Adelaide (pictured above on the gallops) could run, althoug she holds several engagements over the coming days.  Declarations for Monday take place this morning at 10am this morning.

*****

We had an enjoyable evening last night over at Martin and Carol's for their Halloween/Guy Fawkes party.  As well as a bonfire, there was a best Guy competition and some lovely hot dogs, beer and wine.  As you can see from the pictures taken before the event, MCP went to town with the decorations and made the house very spooky.  Taking a look at the bonfire it would appear that someone has put Martin on top of it!

What a shame that England could not add to their Rugby World Cup success of 2003 against South Africa yesterday.  After success against the All Blacks in the semi-final England were installed favourites to win.  However, we have seen it time and again in many sports that it is often difficult to replicate that sort of performance after a big (or unexpected success).  They were physically outmatched by the South Africans and were always playing catch up and in the end finished up well beaten.

There are a couple of football matches to look forward to this afternoon as Crystal Palace are at home to Leicester at 2pm, whilst Spurs visit Everton at 4.30pm.  Both matches are on Sky Sports.  Leicester should prove too good for Crystal Palace and Spurs, for all their recent woes could also prove too much for Everton to handle.

Spanish tennis star Rafa Nadal is due to become world number one again next week, taking over the mantle from Novak Djokovic.  Given the injury struggles that have beset Nadal through recent years it is an incredible performance at this point of his career.  Should he win the Paris Masters final he will be guaranteed to finish the year at the number one spot.

Lewis Hamilton will win a remarkable sixth world drivers' title this evening if he collects 4 points or more in the US Grand Prix.  Even now, Hamilton still polarises opinion, but barring reliability issues the title should be a formality this weekend and that would be a remarkable achievement.  Only Michael Schumacher (seven) will have won more.

*****

The barman says, "We don't serve time travellers in here."
A time traveller walks into a bar...

Tweet