Beyond At Bath!

This afternoon there are just two flat cards to look forward to at Bath and Ffos Las.  The stable has one runner at Bath, Beyond who goes in the 2.40pm race over the marathon flat trip of 2m1f.  He has to defy top weight of 10-2 (less Willie Twiston-Davies' 3lbs claim) and a couple of disappointing recent runs.  Our six year old was victorious on the flat at Salisbury on his penultimate start on the level and hopefully this quicker ground will help him recapture that sort of form.

*****

You hear plenty about the top class horses that have been retired, so it is nice to see when some of the lesser lights also receive their pension.  Connections have decided to call time on the career of twelve year old Dvinsky - what a solid horse he must have been...he ran 231 times, winning on 19 occasions.  He had nine different trainers throughout his career, one of whom stated that he kept going so long because he always saved 10% for himself.  Well done old boy, I hope you enjoy a lovely life in retirement.

*****

Not only are Australia beating us in the one day series of the cricket, but I see that the namesake, trained by Aiden O'Brien is favourite for next year's Derby as well!  The biggest price about this son of brilliant racemare Ouija Board is only 6/1, although that is hardly surprising given the nature of his recent six length success in a Group 3 contest.

*****

Be careful if you are anywhere near the Great North Run today.  You could knock Luke Harvey over - he could still be competing on Monday!  Luke competed in the Leger Legends race at Doncaster earlier in the week and is certainly keeping busy with this latest endeavour.  Last time I saw him he could certainly do with shedding a few pounds - he must need the exercise!  I am only joking Luke...or am I?!

*****

Martin O'Neill is 1/6 to become the Republic of Ireland's next boss.  Just think, if you were the person appointing the manager you could have £6million on to win £1million and you would have covered the first year's wages!  Having said that, it is getting increasingly difficult to get a decent size bet on these days and besides, does it really matter who is picking the Irish team?!  Sorry guys, but I'm afraid the immediate future for the national side does not look any brighter than England at this time.