A Number Of Near Misses!

This afternoon there are three flat cards at Brighton, Ffos Las and Hamilton.  Surprise surprise, the best prize money on offer is once again in Ireland as Roscommon host a mixed card.  The stable drew a blank at the weekend although I thought that Purple 'N Gold (pictured above) ran a cracker at Sandown on the flat on Saturday.  He looked an unlucky loser when a fast finishing third, beaten only a short head and a neck...another 20 yards and he would have won.  He has proven to be a really good buy from a claimer and looks set to go up a few pounds in the handicap for this.

Shoegazer was another to run well as he finished third in the Listed Mildmay Chase at Newton Abbot - a race that he won twelve months earlier from a 10lbs lower mark, while Bathwick Man was a close second in the handicap hurdle on the same card.

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I watched the Liverpool versus Manchester United match yesterday afternoon at Anfield and I bet the Scousers are delighted to get the verdict 1-0.  Liverpool are now top of the table having won their first three matches and are enjoying their best start to the season since 1994/5.  However, much as it pains me to say it, Manchester United looked to be much the better team and were probably unlucky losers although that will probably not make Tony Lomas feel any better.  Later in the afternoon I also watched the Arsenal versus Spurs game.  Arsenal won 1-0, but again I thought that Tottenham looked to be the better team - football isn't like most other sports, the best side doesn't always win!

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I was saddened to hear that Sir David Frost had passed away.  During my youth he used to host a programmed with Millicent Martin - it probably had something to do with my warped sense of humour and Millicent Martin's outfits!

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Midnight sees the end of the transfer window and Gareth Bale has finally signed for Real Madrid for £85 million, earning £300,000 per week in a six year deal.  Agent David Manasseh was on television talking about the deal last night.  I am expecting to see Arsenal do a last minute spot of panic buying tonight at about 11.30pm!