Weekend Jottings!

Today sees the Summer National at Uttoxeter over 3 1/2 miles - it is not quite the test that it used to be having been shortened in recent years, although it will still be quite demanding (especially after all the recent rain).  I say the Summer National, but it is more like the Winter National!  There is good prizemoney on offer of around £40,000 and while we don't have a runner in the big one, we will be represented at the meeting by David's 500th winner Bold Perk who is bidding to follow-up his Hereford success.  It should certainly be an interesting contest as our runner switches back to hurdles and is due for a big rise in the weights, while he takes on a Tim Vaughan runner who is officially rated 31lbs lower than his current chase mark.

There is plenty of quality racing on and it will be interesting to see if the Queen's Carlton House can atone for his Epsom Derby defeat in the Irish equivalent.  He takes on seven opponents and while I think he will win, I did my money at Epsom and don't think that I will be chasing it.

Talking of doing your money, I notice that they are even advertising how to become a professional gambler in the Racing Post.  Mind you it does cost £385 for a two day course - I would be interested to know what you are going to learn...maybe it is how to not lose your money so quickly!

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I see that US Open golf champion Rory McIlroy is going to play in the Hong Kong Open in December - he describes it as one of his favourite tournaments - I wonder if there is an appearance fee involved?!  I used to have a favourite tournament which I was paid to play in - it's amazing how good Bolton can look when there is a fee involved!  I'm only joking - Bolton's not that bad really!