Two at Stratford

                           
                      Darcey Diva

Today there are five meetings, four on the flat at Goodwood, Nottingham, Epsom, Ffos Las and a jumps card at Stratford.  David has two runners at Stratford, Royal Peak and Darcey Diva.  Royal Peak is yet to make the frame but Darcey Diva has run okay in a couple of bumpers and just had the one run over hurdles at Southwell last time out.  The ground went a bit too soft for her that day and she can only improve for the experience.  Tom Scu is on board Royal Peak and Kieron Edgar keeps the ride on Darcey Diva as he had ridden her in all of her starts to date.  

Beyond was a little disappointing yesterday at Goodwood in the end, only beating one home.  Maybe the ground was against our six year old as this run was too bad to be true but it was a very competitive race and he was racing off a career high mark.  He does seem fine this morning however and he could run on the flat or maybe even try hurdling next time.  Richard Hughes is riding with so much confidence at the moment and he gave Toormore a peach of a ride to win the Group 2 at Goodwood.  This two year old colt can only improve.  The champion jockey rode a treble yesterday and now leads the way as the Goodwood leading jockey.  Waht a race between Dawn Approach and Toronado with the latter just coming out on top this time.  There is not much between the two great colts so it would be nice to see them race each other again as you wouldn't be sure who would come out on top and these top class horses are good for racing.  Meanwhile the top class action conitues in Ireland as well at Galway.  JP McManus had the first three home in the Galway plate and AP was on board the right one to win, Carlingford Lough.  The seven year old went of 7/2 favourite in the end.  Tony Martin also had two favourites win, so I bet the bookies were counting their losses in Ireland yesterday!

England should wrap up the Ashes in the test that starts today at Old Trafford.  They only need a draw and this could be the bet at 5/2 - Manchester does seem to get a lot of wet weather!  Kevin Pieterson is having a late fitness test this morning to see if he can play.

My Spurs mates will not like the headline in the Racing Post today.  'Bale too good to get bogged down at Spurs'.  So Bruce Millington has got something right!  Elsewhere in the football we will see how good Swansea are.  They play Malmo live on ITV 4 at 7.45pm.