Seasons Greetings

I have just been looking through today's edition of the Racing Post and the meetings for Boxing Day look mouth watering.  Sadly the meeting from Ffos Las has succumbed to the persistent rain, leaving nine meetings for Thursday (although Fontwell and Huntingdon could be up against it), the pick of which is obviously at Kempton.  The King George VI Chase is the big race and takes place at 3.10pm and I will be glued to the television.  Dynaste takes on his Betfair Chase conqueror Cue Card again and it promises to be a fantastic race with a really high quality field lining up.  With Ffos Las now off, the stable has runners at four meetings, including at Sedgefield - other than the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, this is probably the best day's racing of the year.  Spare a thought for some of the jockeys though who will be 'doing light' on Boxing Day and therefore missing their Christmas dinners.

If you live in Liverpool there is an interesting give away in some of the shops today.  As there are only 100 days until Christmas a number of stores will be giving away 100 tickets for the Grand National.  This year Crabbies are sponsoring the big race for the first time - they are the owners of Swing Bill who will once again be aimed at the Aintree centrepiece in which he finished sixth last year.

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Many happy returns to Gerry Supple (pictured right) who is 36 today.  Looking at Gerry, I would say that David  has been working him too hard.  Not only that, he probably only gets one lot of presents each year...poor chap!

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I had a nice day watching football on the television yesterday although the eagerly anticipated match between Arsenal and Chelsea proved a bit disappointing with the two teams producing a dull draw.  Both of them seem to lack a world-class striker - Liverpool have one...Manchester City have two!

Tottenham Hotspur have given Tim Sherwood the job of manager until the end of the season.  He is getting £750,000 for his eighteen month contract - I would imagine that he is the poorest paid manager in the division.  I suppose this is his job interview and if he manages to make a go of things, he can expect a hefty payrise...no pressure!

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The next Ashes cricket test match is coming soon and I am told that Melbourne on Boxing Day is the place to be.  One of the members of my local golf club at Churston has flown out to watch the match.  Let's hope that England can sort their dressing room out and can at least show a bit of resolve against the Aussies.

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Finally, have a Happy Christmas and I will see you all again on Boxing Day...I can't wait!