Another Cheltenham Shock

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jump cards from Ludlow and Doncaster and a couple of all-weather flat cards from Lingfield and Kempton.  David does not have any runners this afternoon but stable jockey Tom Scudamore heads to Ludlow for a couple of outside rides.  Citrus ran a lot better than his finishing position of fifth would suggest - he was second coming over the last hurdle but did not look to get home over the 2m3 1/2f trip.  The blinkers certainly seemed to wake him up a bit as he travelled as well as the winner for much of the race and he can find another race, perhaps over a shorter trip.

There was another ante-post shocker yesterday as Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack was ruled out of the big race after suffering a tendon injury.  He is out for the remainder of this season and likely until very late in 2017 - let's hope that he makes a full recovery.  It is a real shame for the Tizzard stable, regular rider Tom Scu and of course the racegoers who have been thrilled by his performances this season.  I did say only recently that it is very difficult just to get these horses to the racecourse - it is something that the casual spectator takes for granted, but there are so many things that can happen.

The first race at Taunton yesterday saw every bookmaker with the same price.  They are now just robots with computers - it is a sad day that there no longer seems to be a bookmaker with an opinion any more.

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I see the gambling commission are investigating the pie-eating antics of the roly poly Sutton reserve goalkeeper.  Sun Bet offered 8/1 that Wayne would eat a pie...surely that was asking for trouble?  It sounds as though some tasty bets were laid!  I wonder if the gambling commission looked into the Craig Bellamy years ago after his golf club incident?  I remember bookies offering fancy odds that Bellamy would be first goalscorer and celebrate with a golf swing...which he duly did.  I don't recall any action and consistency should be the key here...

There was a thriller last night between Manchester City and Monaco.  City won 5-3 but there was some of the worst defending I have ever seen at this level.  You would think that Guardiola could sort out his defense as he has plenty of money to spend on three proper defenders.  They will need to defend a lot better in the return leg in Monaco.  Also, how on earth have Monaco managed to get Falcao looking like a good player?

Wayne Rooney looks as though he is going to be on his travels as he has been offered £1 million pounds a week to play in China.  He has to go as he probably needs the money!

Tennis legend Roger Federer will not be retiring from the game for at least another three years after signing up to play in Basle (where he lives) until 2019.  A great champion, who showed in the Australian Open recently that he still has plenty to offer - let's just hope that he does not go on too long and detract from his legacy.

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Thought for the day...You can't lose a homing pigeon.  If your homing pigeon does not come back then all you have lost is a pigeon!  Keep smiling...