Calm Before The Storm!

*Weather Babe - Non Runner 4.05pm Southwell*

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon - a jumps card at Southwell and two all-weather flat meetings at Lingfield and Kempton.  We were due to run Weather Babe at Southwell but after 8mm of unforecast rain overnight the ground has now become unsuitably soft for her so she will not be taking her chance.  Tom Scudamore is left with one ride at the track for his brother Michael, hopefully it will not be a fruitless journey for him.  Our next runners will likely come at Exeter tomorrow where it is Devon National day - Alderluck (pictured above) will probably represent us in that marathon contest.

I thought that our three runners performed okay at Huntingdon yesterday - Saint John Henry finished fifth, only weakening at the last flight of hurdle.  He can only improve for this first lifetime start and should be capable of winning races, while Thomas Junior finished second behing favourite Ghostofasmile and Piccadilly Circus is another who is open to plenty of further improvement following his first start in the bumper.

I see that 'the voice of racing' Sir Peter O'Sullevan celebrates his 96th birthday today.  Sir Peter is without a doubt one of the loveliest men you could ever hope to meet - he would always take the time to speak with me and talk horses and how MCP had changed the way horses were trained.  Sadly he will be unable to make the meeting voluntarily for the first time this year (obviously there were no meetings during the war and the foot and mouth outbreak) and his presence will be missed at the track.  We hope you have a lovely day Sir Peter!

While we are on the subject of birthdays I notice that it also colourful Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott's birthday today.  Sir Mark is one of racing's great characters - I could listen to his stories all day.  I would imagine that he will treat himself to one of his trademark cigars today to celebrate!

It is also John Virgo's birthday today.  John used to own a decent sprinter on the flat called Jokist and is still a keen racing enthusiast now and has joined us in our marquee at Cheltenham in previous years - I wonder if he will paying the track a visit this year?  Anyway - happy birthday to you all.

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What about Newcastle manager Alan Pardew head butting a Hull player at the weekend?  It's no good dishing out a fine to people like this - they earn so much money I don't suppose they would even notice the difference!  Just imagine fining the likes of Wayne Rooney £100,000 - it's not even two weeks wages!  Pardew has been in trouble in recent years...a stadium ban for ten matches and a touchline ban for a year - no messing about in the Barnes court!

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Much as anticipated, Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed the Welsh Open title at the weekend and scored another maximum 147 break in the process - his twelfth in competitions in total.  He picked up £72,000 for his victory...not much by footballers standards!

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News flash - England won a cricket match!  Yes, you did read correctly - they won by three wickets agains the West Indies...blimey, they must be some poor side!  A far cry from the Viv Richards or Brian Lara days.

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My wife is having an operation on her broken arm tomorrow - she tripped and fell over a protruding pallet in a supermarket.  I am worried sick about her and can't wait to have her back home afterward.

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