Bangor, Southwell Runners

My goodness, wasn't it hot yesterday?  The temperature in London reached in excess of 33ºc and the forecast storms never materialised...although we had thunderstorms around the yard in the early hours of this morning, we had only 1/2mm of rain.  Today there are four meetings to look forward to with two on the flat at Musselburgh and Ffos Las as well as two jumps cards at Southwell and Bangor - the stable has one runner at each National Hunt meeting and young Kieron Edgar is going to be kept busy as he travels from one meeting to the other to ride both Darcey Diva and Vapiano.  Darcey Diva (pictured above) has her first run over hurdles at Southwell, our mare had some fair form in bumpers so let's hope she can translate that ability to obstacles, while Vapiano makes his debut for the stable at Bangor.

I see that Jason Maguire has booked his summer holidays courtesy of the totting-up procedure.  He committed his fifth offence withing five months and now faces a lengthy ban.  I wonder where he will go?

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Looking through his blog yesterday, I was interested to see that David could still have a runner in the Galway Plate.  Shoegazer who enjoyed such a fine season with five successes last term could run in the big chase, although he is unlikely to be joined by War Singer or Street Entertainer after they disappointed at the weekend.  If you have never been to Galway it is well worth a visit - the atmosphere is brilliant and the Irish are great hosts and really look after their guests.  Mind you, you need a strong stomach with all the drinking that goes on - the whole Festival is just like one long party!

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Can you believe the lengths that some people will go to?  Someone stayed outside of St Mary's Hospital for eight days waiting for the birth of the Royal baby.  If I had been in London I don't think I would have joined him...I must be missing something or is he missing something?  I don't think I live in the real world anymore.

Talking of Royal babies...The Duchess of Cornwall is a 16/1 chance that she produces twins next time around...who on earth thinks up these markets, and does anyone really bet on them?!

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The Australian cricket team are 8/11 not to win any of the remaining three Ashes Test Matches.  The Australians really do look terrible so that seems to be a solid odds-on shot to me.