One Worcester Runner

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon; three on the flat at Yarmouth, Brighton and Leicester as well as a jumps card at Worcester.  The stable is represented by one runner at Worcester; Franklin Roosevelt (pictured above) who takes part in the 2m7f handicap chase at 6.10pm.  He was a ready winner from a lower mark over hurdles at Newton Abbot last time, but reverts back to the larger obstacles this evening.  With Tom Scudamore currently on the sidelines this presents a good opportunity for young Kieron Edgar who has ridden him a couple of times before.  Kieron claims a handy 5lbs off his back in what looks like a competitive little race.

I was watching Battle Group run on the flat at Kempton yesterday and this one time high class hurdler/chaser was sent off an unfancied 66/1 shot.  The nine year old was completely tailed off and is clearly not going to win a maiden.  Connections are surely looking at the handicap route, although I wonder what trainer Johnny Farrelly is trying to prove with him?  He looks like he has had enough to me.

I know I harp on about prize money a lot, but can you believe that Brighton have only £26,000 up for grabs across their seven race card this afternoon?  With it being holiday season you would think that they would put some decent prize money up, get some competitive racing on and try to attract a big crowd by luring in some of the holiday makers.  Who is making the money at Brighton?  It is certainly not the owners!  How long will £1,940 keep your horse in training (and you have to win to get that!)?  Do we need more all-weather tracks?  The answer is clearly no, we already have enough low grade racing with poor prize money already.

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I thought that Chelsea looked solid last night as they beat Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor.  Even now, the title looks to rest between Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool - for some reason David is a Chelsea fan, so he should be pleased at least!

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Just think, you are just 17 and you are going to drive in the Formula One World Championships next season.  Well, that is what is going to happen to young Dutch driver Max Verstappen who has signed for Scuderia Toro Rosso.  I wonder if he even has his road drivers' licence?!  He would not even be old enough to drive in the roads in some countries!  His father Jos drove in Formula One and is still the most successful Dutch driver in that category, scoring a couple of podiums - I wonder if his son will make it to the top step one day?

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There is some exciting football action to look forward to tonight and I will be having a little treble on Burton at 3/4, Shrewsbury at 5/6 and Morton at 8/15.  Hopefully that will put some bread on the table in the Barnes household for the remainder of the week!

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