Intermath 3rd On Debut

The stable had just two runners at Uttoxeter yesterday evening and while Star Of Salford proved disappointing in the bumper, I thought that Intermath ran a promising race in the juvenile hurdle.  He travelled very well during the race and looked the likeliest winner two from home before seemingly not staying the trip - he ran almost exclusively upto a mile on the flat so he had stamina to prove and I think he was just found wanting.   Granted an easier track it would not be difficult to see him winning a little race.

It's a day packed full of action with six meetings taking place this afternoon.  There are five flat cards from York, Musselburgh, Sandown, Goodwood and Chepstow as well as a jumps fixture fro Aintree.  The stable has no runners today.

I notice there is an unusual race at York this afternoon - a six furlongs seller for two year olds.  The winner gets a whopping £7,762.80 - it's a shame there aren't a few more races like this (preferably over further so the jumps trainers would be interested in claiming them!).

Many happy returns to former stable jockey and multiple champion Peter Scudamore.  The Racing Post says that he is only 56 - all I will say is that he must have had Tom and Michael very young!

Talking of old faces(!), how can we get more people through the turnstiles and onto the racecourse?  Whenever I go racing it seems to me that it is the same old faces, but just older.  We need to encourage a younger generation of race goers before electronic games and mobile phones/tablets take over completely.  Yarmouth managed to attract a crowd of just 1,500 yesterday - it is not far from the seaside and it was a beautiful day, so you would think that they would have been able to attract a few holiday makers.  My local football team, Torquay United used to attract crowds like that and they have slipped out of the football league altogether!

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For those odds-on backers, they can thank the referee last night as Brazil beat Croatia 3-1.  I cannot believe that the official ever awarded a penalty...if I had known, I would have had more on at the 4/11 - it was buying money!  William Hill were offering a promotional even money about the home side (to £20 per customer) until they had laid £1million.  Sadly from my perspective, it was difficult to find 20 people in Brixham to go in and place the bets for me!  They tell me that my local shop in Brixham is going to be shutting in three weeks - I can't say I'm surprised really, it is directly next door to another bookmaker and clearly there is not enough business in the town for both of them.

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In the cricket, England have taken root against the Sri Lankans and are currently on 344 for 5.  Another 100 runs and they cannot lose (I have heard that one before!), so this is a good performance from the home side.  Prior had a good knock of 76 not out to put England in control.

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British number one tennis player Andy Murray has completely lost his form since winning Wimbledon last year and I do not fancy his chances of following-up much this time around.  It's amazing what can happen during the course of a year in sport.

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