Carlisle Gets Go-Ahead

Today there are four meetings taking place, two on the all weather at Kempton and Southwell as well as jumps cards at Ludlow and Carlisle (who managed to pass an early morning inspection).  It is good to have racing back at Southwell and to mark the occasion I see they have put up £26,000 for their seven race card - the money is unbelievable, and yes, I am being sarcastic!  The stable has no runners today.

Watching the action from Market Rasen yesterday it would appear that trainer John Ferguson has managed to unearth a a useful sort in Bordoni - it may only have been a maiden hurdle, but the 82 rated flat performer jumped really well and looks to have a bright future over hurdles.

I see that bookmaker Barry Johnson is offering punters the chance to bet using their debit cards - that sounds like a risky proposition to me, especially if you get punters chasing their losses.  Not all punters are as sensible as us!

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There sounds like a great football match tonight on ITV as England take on Brazil.  When I was a lad I would be looking forward to a game like that for weeks but now it just seem like any other match...surely that would suggest that there is too much football on now?  Ashley Cole will join the 100 club playing for England tonight, although he still has a little way to go to catch me (270 caps for my country, although I don't like to mention it too often!).

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Fancy retiring at the age of 23!  That is exactly what Olympic swimmer Rebecca Addlington will do when she hangs up her trunks!  Rebecca is probably the best swimmer of all time from our country - she says she can't compete with the teenagers...now I really am starting to feel old!  Martin met her a few years ago at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2008 and it will be a pity that she will not be continuing in the sport.  I wonder what she will do now?

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I once did a theatrical performance about puns...it was a play on words!