Latest From The Gallops

We have had a wet start to the morning down here in Brixham with some localised flooding so I'm sure there will be a raft of non-runners as there has been over the last couple of days.  There were no less than 51 non-runners yesterday so that is all you need to know about how soft the ground went.  I know it sounds obvious, but if you are considering having a little flutter today, make sure that your selection has proven form on rain softened ground.  There are four meetings to look forward to - three on the flat at Nottingham, Lingfield and Kempton and a National Hunt card at Wetherby and it is good to see that jumps card has managed to secure the most prize money this afternoon.

We have had a wet start to the morning down here in Brixham with some localised flooding so I'm sure there will be a raft of non-runners as there has been over the last couple of days.  There were no less than 51 non-runners yesterday so that is all you need to know about how soft the ground went.  I know it sounds obvious, but if you are considering having a little flutter today, make sure that your selection has proven form on rain softened ground.  There are four meetings to look forward to - three on the flat at Nottingham, Lingfield and Kempton and a National Hunt card at Wetherby and it is good to see that jumps card has managed to secure the most prize money this afternoon.

Below I have another picture to share with you from the gallops, this time of last season's five time winner Home Run who was working in company with Ffos Las bumper winner Heath Hunter.  They were partnered by our two travelling head lads Craig Wylie and Bob Hodge respectively.

Above: (l-r) Home Run and Heath Hunter during exercise on the gallops

I see that Radio 5 have managed to sign up perennial champion jockey A P McCoy for a regular spot on a Friday - he starts this week by talking with Dan Walker.  Unfortunately A P is an Arsenal fan, so you Gunners supporters are going to be well catered for...let's hope he talks mainly about racing!

I know I probably sound like a broken record when I go on about prize money and how it is so much better in countries such as Ireland and France, but even the Irish are feeling the pinch.  Their government have cut funding to £43.4million for 2014 - that is a drop of £18million over the last six years...mind you, it is still better than over here!

*****

I can hardly believe what I am writing, but what an exciting football match last night between England and Poland.  England booked their tickets to Rio with a 2-0 win at Wembley last night - there were plenty of chances and to top it all off, Mrs Barnes backed Wayne Rooney to score first at 7/2...she now thinks she knows everything there is to know about football!  Andros Townsend is a breath of fresh air to the squad and produced another star performance.  Danny Welbeck missed so many chances that the score could quite easily been 4 or 5 to England.

Whoever thinks of the newspaper headlines?  The pick of them this morning is on the front page of The Sun, 'We Got A Brazilian, It's A Close Shave But We Wax Poles!'