Weekend Jottings!

It looks like being a busy day today with runners at both Aintree and Wincanton. Battle Group makes his seasonal debut at Liverpool, scene of his finest hour last season when winning the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) at the Grand National meeting (pictured above). He will be partnered by Tom Scu who has elected to take the trip up north. We have three runners at Wincanton this afternoon and conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell rides Bathwick Man, Frosted Grape and My Brother Sylvest. My Brother Sylvest won in good style at Exeter earlier in the week and is turned out again quickly before the handicapper can have his say.

My Brother Sylvest bids to follow-up his Exeter success at Wincanton this afternoon

It looks like being a busy day today with runners at both Aintree and Wincanton. Battle Group makes his seasonal debut at Liverpool, scene of his finest hour last season when winning the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) at the Grand National meeting. He will be partnered by Tom Scu who has elected to take the trip up north. We have three runners at Wincanton this afternoon and conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell rides Bathwick Man, Frosted Grape and My Brother Sylvest. My Brother Sylvest won in good style at Exeter earlier in the week and is turned out again quickly before the handicapper can have his say.

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It was good to see Aintree specialist Monet's Garden parading at the course yesterday. Remember, the tough old grey was nearly at death's door earlier in the year with a life-threatening hoof infection. He looked to be in great shape and seemed to enjoy his day out. The public love to see these old-timers - I don't suppose he is that old at the age of 13, but the public loves a grey.

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Every football supporter in the land will be sat in front of the television this afternoon at 1.30pm. The top two teams in the Premiership, Man Utd take on Man City at Old Trafford in a match that could define the season. Man Utd keep grinding out results even when they are not at their best - to me that is a sign of a good team. Contrarily City have been winning in style but today we will see what they are like in a battle. I just hope that Tony Lomas and head lad Eddie Buckley are not too disappointed the 3/1 available about City looks tempting to me!

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Our cricketers are taking a real battering in India - we are now 3-0 down and have lost the One Day series. Today our boys take on the Indians in Mumbai - let's hope that they can at least salvage one win from the five match series.