Bladoun's Back

It looks like being a busier day today with four meetings taking place - one on the flat at Kempton and three jumps meetings at Newbury, Taunton and Uttoxeter.  The going is likely to be very testing at all three of the jumps meetings.  The stable has one runner at Taunton, Bladoun (pictured above) who was an unlucky loser when capsizing at the last at Chepstow on his most recent start with the race seemingly at his mercy.  Tom Scudamore takes the ride and a clear round is just what the doctor ordered - hopefully, he will be able to atone for last time's disappointment.

*****

It looks as though Chelsea are struggling to score goals having only managed a draw with Fulham last night.  I wonder if Rafa dare drop Torres?  It seems to me that the owner tells his manager which team must play.  Maybe he just refuses to admit that Torres is not a £50 million striker anymore...I am not sure he ever was.  They should have nicked Defoe while he was out of favour at Spurs.

I'm glad that I am not in the office this morning as head lad Eddie Buckley would surely have given me some stick about Manchester United beating West Ham last night!  Meanwhile Stoke did well to beat Newcastle 2-1- fortunately for the magpies manager Alan Parder, he has just signed a seven year deal to stay with Newcastle.

Referees are under pressure at the best of times, but just think how much scrutiny Mark Clattenburg was under at Southampton last night.  The photographers were lined up to get pictures of him coming out onto the pitch...referees becoming more important than the players, whatever next?!  Let's just get on with the football.