A Great Weekend's Action

There are four meetings taking place today with flat action from Thirsk, Lingfield, Bath and Wolverhampton.  If you are a fan of the jumps, I am afraid the dearth of meetings continues this afternoon with another blank day.  If you are desperate for your fix, there is a jumps card from Sligo that is covered by Racing TV.  There are no runners from Pond House today.

There was some cracking racing over the weekend with the St Leger won in thrilling fashion by Tom Marquand aboard Galileo Chrome.  Whilst it was excellent for the young pilot to land his debut Classic success, you have to feel sorry for rider Shane Crosse who was due to ride the horse but tested positive for Covid-19.  I though that Pyledriver was a little unlucky, racing on the slowest strip of ground and then hanging to his left before staying-on again in the closing stages.  Meanwhile, over in Ireland Magical lowered the colours of Ghaiyyath in the Champion Stakes to win the contest for the second year running.  Ghaiyyath ran well in defeat, but once again showed his vulnerability when he does not get his own way out in front.

Over in France, Ascot Gold Cup hero Stradivarius was just beaten in the Prix Foy on his return to 1m4f at Longchamp.  He ran a great race, but this really is his minimum trip and he lacked the speed of last year's Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, going down by a short neck.  He is bound to get a stiffer test of stamina in the Arc, although he looks likely to be playing for minor honours.

Pictured above, is new addition Stubborn Logic on the Pond House gallops.  A winner on his final start last season, he hasn't been with us a very long time but he is coming on well and is another one to look forward to for the campaign ahead.

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England won a thrilling one-day international against Australia yesterday.  The hosts pulled this one out of the fire thanks to an almighty collapse from the Aussies.  With the score standing at 1-1, this sets up a nice series finale on Wednesday.

Normal service was resumed in the Tuscan Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton leading home another Mercedes 1-2.  The race was not short on incident with only 12 cars finishing and two restarts being required.

Normal service was also resumed in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings once again losing to Green Bay.  The offense woke up once it was all too late as they were again far too conservative with their play calling during the early stages.  It may only be week one, but I have been a fan for over 30 years and it looks like it is going to be at least another year to wait for that elusive Superbowl.

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An oldie, but appropriate...
When I die, I want the Minnesota Vikings to be my pall-bearers.  That way, they can let me down one last time!

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