Two Taunton Runners

There are just three meetings to look forward to this afternoon, although judging by the weather around here this morning I wouldn't much fancy going to the races.  The jumps action is from Haydock and our local track Taunton, while there is also an all-weather flat meeting at Lingfield.  The stable has two runners at Taunton; Kilrye and previous course winner No Secrets (pictured above).  The ground is likely to be extrememly testing, although that should not inconvenience our runners.

I thought that Amigo performed creditably to finish seventh in the Welsh National at Chepstow on Saturday.  It was a real race of attrition with over half of the field pulling-up.  The winner was the Richard Lee trained Mountainous who prevailed in a thrillilng finish despite putting up 5lbs overweight.

Meanwhile, also over the weekend the amazing Hurricane Fly won his eighteenth Grade One race with success in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.  He has now won on all eight of his visits to Leopardstown and even at the age of nine he remains top-class and is still a major contender for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Tom Scudamore made the long journey to Doncaster pay-off with a winner for his brother MIchael when Next Sensation was the winner of the novices' handicap chase.  The six year old certainly looks like a useful prospect.

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I am beginning to wonder why the Test cricket matches are scheduled for five days?  The Aussies only seem to need four to beat England!  Our team seem unable to bat, bowl or even catch...I have to feel sorry for all of England's supporters who have made the trip down under to see this dross, they must really be taking some stick.  At least the weather is nice and sunny!  Why not put some of the youngsters in for the final match?  This team have proven that they are not up to the task, so let some of the younger players take their chances - the experience would be invaluable to them.  I have a relative who lives in Melbourne (where they played the last match) andI haven't heard from him in over four years.  All of a sudden he calls me out of the blue and it wasn't to wish me a Happy Christmas - these Aussies really do love to gloat.

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Let's hope that Michael Schumacher pulls through following a nasty skiing accident that has left him in a coma after sustaining a head injury.  He is currently in hospital in Grenoble.  It is ironic that he has spent years and years participating in one of the most dangerous sports in the world and then goes and hurts himself on holiday.  Everyone I know who goes skiing seems to come back injured.

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I see that former England striker Alan Shearer reckons that Manchester United need to spend £100,000,000 on five top class players to compete in the Premiership.  The trouble is, where do you find them?  There is never a top class player around when you need one!