Great Day At Newmarket

Today we have four meetings to look forward to, three on the level at Newmarket, Haydock and Wolverhampton as well as a jumps card at Worcester.  There is some very good prize money at Newmarket with £412,000 on offer - hardly surprising when there is a Group One, Group Two and Group Three contest on the card, backed up by two Listed races, certainly not bad for a Friday!  Even better - if you can't make it, it is covered on Channel 4.  Yesterday's action at Newmarket saw Miracle of Medinah land the Group Three contest for trainer Mark Usher - I always enjoy seeing these smaller trainers with a good horse to go to war with.  He could now step up to Group One company in the Horris Hill.

Today we have four meetings to look forward to, three on the level at Newmarket, Haydock and Wolverhampton as well as a jumps card at Worcester.  There is some very good prize money at Newmarket with £412,000 on offer - hardly surprising when there is a Group One, Group Two and Group Three contest on the card, backed up by two Listed races, certainly not bad for a Friday!  Even better - if you can't make it, it is covered on Channel 4.  Yesterday's action at Newmarket saw Miracle of Medinah land the Group Three contest for trainer Mark Usher - I always enjoy seeing these smaller trainers with a good horse to go to war with.  He could now step up to Group One company in the Horris Hill.

Sadly for Tom Scu and Conor, they drew a blank at the two day Perth meeting and travel back down south this afternoon in pursuit of success at Worcester.  Tom looks to have three good rides this afternoon, including one for his brother Michael, Princesse Fleur who is the paper favourite.

Above: (l-r) Obistar and Smiles For Miles on the Pond House gallops

I have another nice photograph from last week of a couple of nice youngsters who are yet to make their debut for the team at Pond House.  Obistar is a well-related unraced three year old, while Smiles For Miles showed decent form when runner-up in an Irish point-to-point.  They both looked well in the sunshine and did everything that was asked of them.

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I see that it is television and radio presenter John Inverdale's birthday today.  John, who is 56 used to own Make A Stand before we (or should I say I?!) claimed him at Leicester.  I still remember Martin offering him his share back in the horse and he wasn't interested.  The rest as they say is history...a William Hill Hurdle, a Tote Gold Trophy, a Lanzarote, a Champion Hurdle - anyway, Happy Birthday John!

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Mattie Batchelor is on the cold jockey's list.  I bet there will be some party when he rides his next winner!  Mattie is one of the jesters of the weighing room and keeps all the lads laughing.  Still, it could be worse - there is a trainer who has gone 6252 days without a winner!  I won't mention her name, but is she told me she fancied one today I would be a little sceptical!

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I see that Luis Suarez is a 20/1 chance for the golden boot.  Is that price to be top Premiership goald scorer or for being kicked out of Liverpool?!

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I see that someone has gone for a little tickle on Corrie star Natalie Gumere to win Strictly Come Dancing.  In the last two days £20,000 has been placed on her to win the reality contest.  A nice touch if you can get it, if you know what I mean?!  Anyway, rather than following the money I think I will just ask my wife - she has an uncanny ability to pick the winners of all of these game shows.