Pair Of Seconds

Our two runners performed creditably at Stratford last night to both fill the runner-up spot.  I thought that Royal Peak was going to win after Listen And Learn made a mistake at the final flight of hurdles - the trouble is, when you are fighting out a driving finish you do not need A P McCoy on the other runner!  McCoy managed to galvanise his mount to victory by a neck, although it was another improved performance from our runner who came eight lengths clear of the third.  I don't like to admit it, but the handicapper looks like he was right about the 15lbs rise in the weights!  I still reckon that Royal Peak looks to be well worth the £10,000 asking price, or a 25% share for £2,500 could be an ideal way of getting involved in first time racehorse ownership - he jumps well and looks to be a chaser in the making.

There are five meetings taking place today, all of them on the level at Salisbury, Beverley, Ffos Las, Yarmouth and Kempton - once again the best prize money on offer is in Ireland at Gowran Park.

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I see that the Jim Old Charity Golf Day has raised £20,000 for the Injured Jockeys' Fund.  I have played in those 4 ball team events and the jockeys are one of the biggest loads of bandits you have ever seen...most of them get their handicaps out of Christmas crackers.  This year's winners were Jodie Mogford, Dan Tuck, Mike Bell and Clive Evans.  Personally I reckon there should be an Injured Punters Fund as well!

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I will be enjoying a bit of footballing action this evening as England take on Scotland tonight at 8pm on ITV.  Years ago this fixture would have got everyone excited but nowadays the Scottish team looks very poor and their under-21's team doesn't look any better having lost 6-0 last night.  They would probably be better off playing our under-21 team tonight!

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South Sydney rugby forward Sam Burgess has been banned for grabbing an opponent by the testicles following a clash with Melbourne's Will Chambers.  The manager went nuts and said that he 'really ballsed things up'!  It's the truth...not even I could make that one up!  It reminds me of one of those Paul Gascoigne incidents.  Have a nice day...