Purple Runner-Up

Our only runner at Newton Abbot yesterday, Purple 'N Gold (pictured above) ran another decent race when finishing runner-up in the novices' handicap hurdle.  I could be wrong but to me it looks like he struggles to quite see out the 2m1f trip and a drop to the minimum trip of two miles could be what is required.  He hardly ever runs a poor race and he seemed to handle the softer surface okay so there is no reason why he cannot continue to be competitive over hurdles or back on the level.

This afternoon there are four meetings taking place, two on the flat at Ayr and Kempton and two over the sticks at Chepstow and Sedgefield.  Looking at the Chepstow card it could be a good day for Jonjo O'Neill who has made a flying start to the season.

I see that it was the start of the hearing for John McCririck's case against Channel 4 Racing.  I am certainly not one of Big Mac's biggest advocates, but when he and John Francome used to appear on the Morning Line it was different class to what they are serving up nowadays.  Even my wife used to watch every Saturday morning, but she finds the new coverage a complete turn-off.  She says that it is too technical now and it is devoid of characters...I must say, I do agree with her.

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After another defeat at the weekend, Manchester United are now enduring their worst start to a campaign in twenty years under their new manager (who looks to have aged by the way).  Meanwhile, Everton under their new manager are enjoying one of their best starts in years...I will leave you to draw your own conclusions!

The World Cup in Qatar looks to be a complete mess.  Surely some of Fifa's board went out there and saw how hot it was before agreeing to give them the tournament?  It is not a place for playing football or spectating on it...if the officials did visit it would appear that they never left their lovely air-conditioned hotels!

I think that former England manager Steve McClaren is probably a good number two at a football club.  I know that plenty of my Derby mates do not fancy him as their new manager.  He quit at Nottingham after just 113 days.  He will probably not get Derby into the Premiership, afterall he only has a 2 1/2 year contract!

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Finally, just in cast you missed it yesterday, below is another opportunity to catch the video interview of secretary Gail Harrison with broadcasting legend Mike Vince.  After 30 years in the Pond House office you would hope that she would be able to pick you a winner...