Newton Abbot Runner

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Ayr, Windsor and Wolverhampton while there is a local jumps meeting from Newton Abbot.  David runs Celestial Path (pictured above) in the 3.45pm race at Newton Abbot - it is a 2m1f handicap hurdle.  He was a good horse on the level, finishing third in a Racing Post Trophy and fifth in a 2,000 Guineas and he seems to be getting the hang of things over hurdles.  His best run over timber was last time out at Worcester where he finished a close third and he starts off in handicaps from a mark of 109 - he is expected to go well under Tom Scudamore.

There is a good mixed card from Galway tonight and one of the things I noticed was the reserves they have in place for the 7.50pm and 7.40pm races.  I don't see any reason why we can't operate a similar system more often in this country.  On the odd occasion we do try it, such as the Grand National it really is a half cocked effort with the reserves decided the day before...what about those taken out on the day?!  We really do need a full field in these big races and a revision to the reserves system and a more widespread use of said system needs looking into.

How good was Enable in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday?  Frankie said that she was as good a horse as he has sat on and when you consider some of those (such as Dubai Millennium, Lammtara, Golden Horn etc) that is some compliment.  He obviously had some inkling how good she was as he lost 7lbs in six days.

It is Jimmy Frost's 59th birthday today.  Jimmy rode quite a few for MCP while he enjoyed big race success aboard Little Polveir in the Grand National and Morley Street (Granville Again's full-brother) in the Champion Hurdle.  Meanwhile it is also former Cheltenham supremo Edward Gillespie's birthday.  Edward fell over and broke his arm while attempting to smash Martin in a friendly game of table tennis.  I always told you that ping pong was a dangerous sport!  Anyway, many happy returns to both.

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I really could do with the rain staying away at the Oval today.  It is only a matter of time before England bowl out South Africa and move into a 2-1 lead in the four match series.  My bet is certainly starting to look a lot better.

What a performance from Phil 'The Power' Taylor to land his 16th World Matchplay darts championship at the weekend.  He vowed it would be his final appearance saying, "I'm definitely retiring, I can sympathise with Tiger Woods because my back is in bits".  A lot of effort goes into throwing a dart!  I am being sarcastic of course, but Taylor is a real legend of the sport and it won't be the same without him.

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Mrs Barnes kissed me this morning so I kissed her back...there was no way I was kissing her face!

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