Weekend Jottings!

There are three jumps cards taking place this afternoon at Fontwell, Kelso and Uttoxeter.  The stable has just one runner, Street Entertainer (pictured above) who makes the long journey to Fontwell for the 2m2 1/2f handicap hurdle at 4.35pm.  Our seven year old carries top weight of 11-12 and while this is a competitive contest, it is still somewhat easier than some of the races he has competed in in the past.  It certainly looks like a race that he is capable of winning and he is partnered this afternoon by Conor O'Farrell.

The big race of the day takes part in Ireland as the Curragh hosts the Irish 1,000 Guineas.  The favourite is My Titania who missed the Newmarket version after scoping badly is said to be fit and well now and looks the one to beat.  The trainer is concerned about the prospect of too much rain - these trainers are never happy unless they are worrying about something!

I see that ante-post favourite Australia is on the drift for the Epsom Derby and is now just a shade of odds-on at 10/11.  Apparently Geoffrey Chaucer is supposed to have worked all over Australia in a gallop last week.  Mind you, the gallops are not  quite the same as competing on the track and I am still struggling to see beyond the favourite.  It will certainly be interesting to see how they get on in the big race.

Champion jockey Richard Hughes has said that he will not be going back to Warwick any time soon.  He says that it is not worth the risk and the obsession with watering is ruining our tracks.  If a jockey of the calibre of Hughes is saying this, it is about time that people sat up and took some notice.  The bends are certainly looking dangerous in my opinion.

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There has been some cracking darts action with Raymond Van Barneveld winning the Premier League.  He beat Phil 'The Power' Taylor and then defeated Dutch compatriot Van Gerwen.  This week we have action from the Dubai Darts Masters, followed by the World Cup in Humburg...I can't wait!  Darts has gone from being a game played down the local boozer to a sport that is played worldwide.  Who ever would have thought that a few years ago?

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