Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Ascot and a flat fixture from Doncaster.  David has two runners at Ascot; Three Star General and Dell' Arca.  Three Star General contests the 2m3f maiden hurdle at 2.00pm and it will be our four year old geldings first start over hurdles and Tom Scudamore does the steering.  He had some fair form on the flat but he takes on rivals with plenty of experience and we will know more about him after today.  Dell' Arca runs in the boys' race at 4.50pm and he will be partnered by David Noonan who rode out his claim earlier in the week.

There are plenty of people who believe that professional trainers should not be allowed to contest hunter chases and I have to say that I agree with them.  Looking through the Ascot card the likes of Dan Skelton and Tom George take on the amateurs and they could provide the winner.  I am not sure it is the levellest of playing fields.

There was good news for Barry Geraghty as he was officially passed fit to ride by the doctor ahead of next week's Grand National meeting.  The 37 year old jockey broke 6 ribs and suffered a collapsed lung when falling from Charli Parcs at the end of February.  He will have his first rides back from injury today at Fairyhouse.  The jockeys are such a tough breed, they must be among the toughest sportsmen in the world...I would have been out until next year with those injuries!

I see Richard Johnson is tipping Brother Tedd for the 3.05pm race at Ascot today.  I can remember when jockeys were not allowed to tip horses - how times change!

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Apparently there is going to be a large protest at Arsenal today before their match with Manchester City at 4pm.  Latest polls suggest that 78% of fans want incumbent manager Arsene Wenger out.  I don't think it would make any difference to Wenger how many people turn up as he is already planning for next season.

You will never guess who are going to be the next sponsors of England's football team...it's Pizza Hut - obviously!  They have secured a £24 million deal - it looks as though they are making too much money on their pizzas!

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I try to be modest at all times...and that's what makes me better than everybody else!  Have a nice weekend...

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