A Washout!

Unfortunately Exeter has fallen foul of the weather following a further 18mm of rain yesterday so that means that there is no racing taking place under rules this afternoon.  I guess if you are a racing fanatic you will be hoping to get your fix at the point-to-point at the first meeting of the season at Blackforest Lodge (near Exeter).  Former inmate Faasel is a possible runner should the meeting go ahead as intended.

It is not something that I have thought an awful lot about down the years, but the recent horrendous weather has led me to wonder what on earth do trainers without all-weather gallops do to keep their horses fit?  Surely most grass gallops would not be fit for purpose at this time?  Can you imagine the amount of treading-in the staff would have to do after ever gallop?  It is bad enough after schooling a few...I should know as I used to do quite a lot of that with Martin in the early days, back when we only had half a dozen or so staff.  The laying of the all-weather gallop was a God-send - ice, snow, frost, torrential rain made no difference (except that my feet managed to stay a lot drier!).

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I see that bookmakers have made new manager Harry Redknapp a 6/4 chance to keep QPR in the Premiership.  If 'Arry can keep them up he will deserve the £2million bonus (or whatever it is that he has worked out with the club)...having said that, I don't suppose he is too worried about the cash!

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There is a big London derby today as Spurs take on West Ham at 4pm.  Spurs are 7/10 chances and much as I hate to say it, they look sure to score some goals.  It will be interesting to see how Liverpool fare against Swansea - I would imagine that the reds' manager might get a little stick, but they should prevail at 6/5.  Newcastle seem to be struggling and take on Southampton - at 5/4 Southampton could be worth a little punt.

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My boy Lester was the recipient of a lovely gift the other day.  Lester has a small golf shop between Paignton and Torquay and former six-times world snooker champion Ray Reardon comes in every day.  Ray very kindly gave Lester a signed picture of himself with another six-times champion Steve Davies (also signed) - a lovely gesture from one of the nicest chaps you could ever hope to meet.