Nunthorpe Day At York

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from York, Musselburgh and Salisbury on the turf and all-weather action from Kempton and Newcastle.  The York card is another cracker with a Group 1 and two Group 2's on the agenda.  The big race of the day is the Nunthorpe over 5f at 3.35pm and it features some bang in-form competitors.  French raider Suesa was extremely impressive in landing the Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and if she proves as effective on this faster ground, she will take some beating again.

Stradivarius is an intriguing runner in the Lonsdale Cup at 2.25pm.  He has won the race twice in the past, although he didn't look as good as he was in the Ascot Gold Cup at the Royal meeting, for all that it wasn't Frankie Dettori's greatest ride.  I am sure he will bring the house down if he could add a third success today.

Snowfall was really impressive in winning the Yorkshire Oaks yesterday by 4 lengths.  She has looked unbeatable against her own sex this season, winning the English and Irish Oaks by a cumulative 24½ lengths.  The match between her and Wonderful Tonight never really materialised though with the latter clearly not relishing the faster ground.

We were out of the frame with Ranco at Stratford yesterday afternoon in the 2m2½f novices' handicap hurdle.  Our four year old was still in touch in the straight but couldn't go with the leaders in the closing stages.  A good runner-up in June behind a subsequent winner, this was his first start since a gelding operation and he is capable of better.

There are no runners from the Pond House team today, although we will be back with a runner tomorrow at Newton Abbot.

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In the British Open snooker there was a bit of a shock yesterday as current world champion Mark Selby was beaten 3-0 by Ali Carter.  There wasn't much for old favourites Stephen Hendry or Jimmy White to smile about either as both were beaten 3-0 in their second round matches.  Hendry's highest break was just a 39 which is no more than a decent club player would score.  Three frames isn't much time for a pro to get organised, but even so, I can't see his wildcard tour place being around for long if the former seven times world champion doesn't improve.

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I went to the supermarket the other day to buy some beer.  When I got to the checkout, the cashier asked for some ID.  As I was going through my wallet my old Blockbuster card fell out.  "Nevermind," she said.