Horses for Sale

   Tuxedo Junction (GB) 


Exciting dual purpose prospect,
click here for details!

 

    Fighter Allen (FR)  


Exciting new horse with proven form, 
click here for details!

 

 

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Beverley, Sandown and Yarmouth, whilst there is a jumps fixtures from Kelso.  The highlight of the day is the 1m Listed contest at Sandown at 3.55pm featuring a small but select field, including the progressive Montatham who is improving at a rate of knots.  Meanwhile, there is some decent National Hunt action at Kelso with the 2m5f handicap hurdle the feature at 5.10pm.  It has drawn a competitive field with over half of the runners single-figure prices according to the bookmakers.

That all pales into insignificance compared to the terribly sad news of the passing of Pat Smullen overnight.  The former nine-times Irish champion flat jockey was suffering from a relapse of pancreatic cancer, a disease he was first diagnosed with in 2018.  Not only was he a phenomenally talented rider, the tributes paint a picture of a thoroughly good man.  He raised over €2.5 million for cancer charities in Ireland through the organisation of a legends race at Irish Champions weekend last year.  In the saddle, Smullen was best-known for his formidable association with Dermot Weld and famously won the Epsom Derby in the colours of HH Aga Khan aboard Harzand in 2016.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends - he will be very much missed.

There was concerning news in Ireland that the racecourse attendance is set to be capped at 500 spectators until next spring.  That number will be a real worry to the courses, many of whom will struggle with only that amount of footfall through the turnstiles, especially as many of the tracks have had no income from racegoers for several months already.  Newmarket are set to trial crowds of 1,000 next month.  Let's hope that is a success and they are able to prove that more people may safely enjoy a day at the races.

*****

England take on Australia this afternoon in the final one day cricket international at Old Trafford.  The series is finely balanced at 1-1 with today's match the decider.  The match starts at 1pm and should be a thriller.

*****

What's red and smells like blue paint?  Red paint!

Who invented the round table?  Sir Cumference

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