Rose Bidding To Repeat

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Sandown, Ayr and Leicester while there is also an all-weather flat card from Newcastle.  David has three runners at Sandown today; Skinflint, Rathlin Rose and Three Star General.  The big story of course, is can Rathlin Rose complete the 'double double' as he bids to win the Royal Artillery and Grand Military Cups for the second successive year under Captain Guy Disney (pictured above).

Skinflint contests the 2 mile handicap hurdle for military riders at 2.30pm and he will be partnered by Corporal Nathan Rahman who came down to school him yesterday and takes a handy 7lbs off his back.  Skinflint was runner-up in an Irish point-to-point and following an absence he has progressed in three starts to date, showing definite promise at Newbury last time behind Imperial Cup favourite Whatswrongwithyou.

Rathlin Rose bids for back-to-back wins in the Grand Military at 3.40pm.  It is a 3 mile handicap chase and he clearly enjoys conditions, remaining unbeaten at Sandown in three starts.  Captain Guy Disney gets on with him very well and he must go well once again - I am sure he would prove a most popular winner, although this does look a tougher renewal than 12 months ago.

Three Star General runs in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 4.45pm.  He ran an absolute screamers last time out at Ascot, narrowly failing to win a decent handicap hurdle.  He is 3lbs higher this afternoon but a reproduction of that effort would certainly see him go close under Tom Scudamore.  Talking of Tom Scu, I did say that he had a couple of decent spare rides at Wincanton yesterday and they both won - I hope a few of you were on!

Ruby Walsh was back with a winner yesterday afternoon at Thurles and I am sure he is buzzing ahead of next week's Cheltenham Festival.  It wasn't such a good day for jockey Nathan Evans who went to the look and it cost him a 3 day ban after he weighed in 1½lbs light.  At least it will give him some time to put the weight back on.

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What a win for Arsenal yesterday as they beat A C Milan 2-0.  I certainly didn't see that coming!  It will give manager Arsene Wenger a bit of respite before their next Premier League match.

England's cricketers take on New Zealand in the fifth one day international which starts at 10pm.  The best price about England is 3/4 - I love these matches as it gives you a quick cricketing fix and you (almost) always get a result.

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What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?  I don't know and I don't care!

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