Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Epsom and Musselburgh.  I know I keep going on about it, but why on earth are there no jump meetings on when the racing is at it's most accessible?  Most people do not work on a Sunday so it is the best chance they will have to get some jumps action.  There must be a reason for it, I just can't see it for the life of me!  Perhaps somebody from race planning might be able to explain?

Someone once told me that Newmarket trainer Roger Varian was a bit lively and so it proved at Newmarket's Open Weekend when he played in the football match before quickly changing to participate in the show jumping.  It's a shame there wasn't a cricket match on too...I wish I had his energy!

Talk about getting around, the orange one (Matt Chapman in case you hadn't already guessed!) was in Ireland this week for the ploughing championships.  Surely they don't need commentators for that?  I bet he still couldn't pick the winner!

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It is the build up for the Ryder Cup with just five days to go.  If you are a golfing fanatic like me then you will be looking forward to it enormously - it is the best golf of the year and it is not even close.  It is only a year or two ago that Tiger Woods would have been playing.  He is now vice-captain and talking about his past - that is a good role for him as his sole purpose is to try to frighten the six European rookies.  Our rookies are hardened golf pro's however and will not be intimidated by the likes of Woods.  Did you know that Lee Westwood needs only three more points to surpass Sir Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup record as Europe's top points scorer of all time.

My beloved West Ham take on Southampton this afternoon at 4pm.  The Hammers are 15/8 chances and it is a match they must win, otherwise they will be in the bottom three.  I am not sure this new stadium (formerly the Olympic Stadium) suits them.  Upton Park was compact and the fans were nearly on the pitch...occasionally one of the spectators would take the corners, the ground was that small!

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Mrs Barnes has said that she is tired with my obsession with martial arts...so I kicked her out!  Keep smiling...

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