Baltimore Our Only Runner

It looks like being a good day's racing with four meetings taking place this afternoon - two over jumps at Doncaster and Ludlow and two all-weather flat meetings at Kempton and Lingfield.  What is more there are no inspections planned...that is a result in itself.  The stable has one runner at Ludlow, Baltimore Rock (pictured above) who participates in the 3.45pm race and will be partnered by Tom Scudamore.  While a slightly faster surface may be desirable he has won on heavy ground at Wincanton.  This is his fourth start over timber and only seventh in total so there could be further improvement to come.

There was a shock when Join The Navy sprung a 50/1 surprise victory at Taunton yesterday.  I would imagine that a few people will be following him over the coming weeks.  What is more, he was partnered by our conditional jockey Kieron Edgar who was enjoying his 20th career succes.  He will now claim 5lbs instead of 7lbs so can enjoy a slightly heartier breakfast - well done to him.

You have to feel sorry for poor old Timmy Murphy who will miss next month's Cheltenham Festival after it was confirmed that his injured shoulder is going to require surgery.  Timmy has only had eleven winners in an injury plagued campaign...I'm sure it is a season he would rather forget.

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I see that Richard Hannon Junior will start off with a fair string in his first season with a trainers' licence.  He will have 279 horses in his care, of which 166 of them will be two year old's.  I bet the old man will be keeping a close eye on some of them - with an operation of that size they must have some staff at East Everleigh.

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You have to wonder whether we over-rate our club sides?  Manchester City looked positively second rate against Barcelona last night.  Martin Demichelis was sent off for hacking down Lionel Messi - the Spanish side looked completely different class and deservedly won 2-0.

I guess the bookies don't overestimate our sides - they are 4/1 chances to beat Bayern Munich tonight.  Are the Gunners really that bad?  I will be having a few quid on at 4's and sit down and watch it on the box - kick off is live on Sky at 7.45pm

Talking of football, I cannot believe that Swansea have sacked Michael Laudrup.  He was another one dismissed in an unusual manner, this time via e-mail.  He has done an unbelievable job since joining the club and this looks to be a panic move by the board.  I wonder who on earth they think is going to be able to do a better job for them?  Next to go will be the Norwich manager.