Dindin Just Denied

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Newton Abbot, flat fixtures from Ayr, Ffos Las and Windsor and all-weather action from Wolverhampton.  David has two runners today at Newton Abbot; Secret Boris and Al Roc (pictured above).  Secret Boris contests the 2m5f handicap chase at 2.05pm.  A winner over fences in France last season, he has not run for almost a year.  He goes nicely at home, although is fully entitled to improve for this first start under rules in this country.  Philip Armson rides and claims 5lbs off his back.

Al Roc is our other runner as he reverts to timber in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle at 2.40pm.  Our eleven year old has been in fine form this term, winning four times already over fences and is currently rated 13lbs lower over hurdles.  It doesn't always work out, but if he is still as good over hurdles, he is obviously extremely well-treated and looks to be the one to beat on that basis.  Regular rider Philip Armson is in the saddle.

We were unfortunate not to be in the winners' enclosure at Stratford yesterday afternoon with Dindin just denied in the closing stages of the 2m1f handicap chase.  He looked to be firmly in command when sweeping into the lead on the home turn, but meeting the last wrong, he lost momentum and was reeled-in on the run-in.  A multiple winner, he is certainly capable of winning something similar sooner rather than later.

Lady Reset was a shade disappointing in the 1m4f handicap at Salisbury on Saturday.  She was not beaten far, but could perhaps benefit from returning to a slightly shorter trip on the level.

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I was pleased to see that Novak Djokovic was able to win a seventh Wimbledon trophy yesterday by beating Nick Kyrgios in the final in four sets.  You know by now what my feelings are, so I will leave it at that.

Charles Leclerc was a convincing winner of the Austrian Grand Prix in his Ferrari from title leader and reigning world champions, Max Verstappen in his Red Bull.  If Ferrari put all their eggs in the Leclerc basket, there could yet be a thrilling contest for the championship with the Ferrari looking exceptionally quick.

Somerset's cricketers are through to finals day of the Vitality Blast tournament this weekend after destroying Derbyshire in the quarter finals.  Somerset hit a recorded 265-5 in their 20 overs before dismissing Derbyshire by 74 runs to hand out another record, 191 run defeat.  We will all be cheering for them as they travel to Edgbaston on Saturday.

England's women take on Norway tonight in the Euro action and are favourites to maintain their unbeaten record, even though Norway currently top the group after beating Northern Ireland 4-1 in their previous match.

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I went to a tobacconists yesterday, only to discover it had been replaced by an apparel store.

Clothes, but no cigar.