Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place today - a jumps card at Towcester and an all-weather flat meeting at Kempton.  The ground at Towcester is heavy and with the track being one of the stiffest in the country, I am sure many of the horses will be walking come the last couple of furlongs!  The stable has no runners today and I wouldn't be at all surprised if locals were to see David at Chipley Park point-to-point this afternoon between Wellington and Milverton - the forecast (supposedly!) is set fair and the first race kicks off at 11.30am.

On a slightly larger scale there is an excellent card in Ireland this afternoon at Fairyhouse.  I went over there a number of years ago for the Irish National and it is true what people say about the Irish hospitality - they really looked after me.  There is a cracking handicap chase at 2.20pm with £100,000 up for grabs - the worst prize money on the card is for the bumper and even that is worth £8,000!  Why is the prize money across the pond so much better?  It always surprises me why so many Irish trainers venture over here when there is such good money on offer at home.

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The term genius is used all too often when it comes to describing sportsmen, but snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan certainly fits the bill.  I watched him win his Masters match against Ricky Walden and he was inspiring as he whitewashed his opponent 6-0.  He fired in breaks of 79, 88, 72, 134, 77 and 56.  Anyone who has ever played snooker will know how difficult it is to make sizeable breaks.  He makes it look so easy, like he isn't even trying and would undoubtedly beat most players left handed!

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I used to play table tennis exhibitions at Potters Holiday Centre in Norfolk and I see they are having a doubles battle of former world champions.  I must give the centre a plug - it is like a holiday camp except much more luxurious.  The entertainments team is led by a chap called Mark Brewer and all you need to do is plumb his name into Google and you will see how many good reviews he gets.

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I will be glued to the box from 4pm today when Chelsea take on Manchester United.  What a match to look forward to...there should be goals as both defences are a little suspect.