Bank Holiday Blues!

Well, unfortunately the bumper Bank Holiday Monday fixture list that was scheduled for this afternoon has been decimated by the wet weather.  Chepstow and Fakenham are both off after early morning inspections, while Market Rasen and Plumpton are both subject to inspections (at 9am and 10am respectively).  It is a shame as David was due to have three runners at Chepstow today.  Fortunately, there is the all-weather on the flat at Wolverhampton and there are no problems anticipated at present.  Obviously the Irish are more akin to the adverse conditions and they have the Irish Grand National taking place at Fairyhouse today at 5.00pm.

I have been to Ireland for the Irish National a few times and I have to say that the Irish do look after you extremely well.  Today's contest is worth over £¼million to the winner and it is hard to believe that neither messrs Mullins or Elliott have won the race before.  With 17 runners between them this afternoon, there would appear to be a better than fair chance that that is about to change.

I know the ground is horrendous thanks to the inclement weather, but Plumpton must be disappointed by the small turnout for their meeting today.  With only 33 runners declared across their seven race card, it does once again beg the question; are there too many meetings or too few horses in training?

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What a great result for Ian Poulter at the weekend as he won the Houston Open golf in a play-off and that means that he now qualifies for the upcoming Masters.  It seems Poulter only needs pressure on him to bring the best out of him.  Just think how well he plays in the Ryder Cup.

I watched Joshua Parker's world title fight and I must be looking back with rose coloured spectacles as I didn't think that it was very good.  I keep comparing them with Clay, Foreman and even Lewis.  Those days are long gone sadly, but I think that each of them would have knocked Parker out.

There was a good result for Spurs as they beat Chelsea 3-1, the first time they have beaten them at Stamford Bridge in 28 years.  It looks like Antonio Conte's days are numbered at Chelsea.  It must be difficult for any manager who has no say in the players that are bought or sold.  In fact, he is probably looking forward to leaving!  Meanwhile, my beloved West Ham looked beat a very poor looking Southampton side 3-0.  I can see West Brom, Stoke and Huddersfield being the ones for the big drop.

England's cricketers declared on 352-9 to leave the hosts New Zealand requiring 381 to win.  They finished the day on 42-0 so it still could be a good finish.

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