On the Gallops

                     Dynaste

Today we have just two meetings, a flat card at York and a jumps card at Fontwell.  David does not have any runners but Tom Scu has three rides for David Bridgewater and all of them look to have good chances.  There is some good prize money on offer at York with all races having prize money over £6000 and they have been rewarded with some good races.  As I mentioned yesterday I have been on the gallops with my camera.  Dynaste looks in top form working well under regular ride Sarah Buckley.  I also snapped unraced youngster George Herbert working nicely upsides Fontwell bumper winner Mount Haven.

   George Herbert (n/s) & Mount Haven

I have been looking at how many tracks have now been lost to National Hunt racing.  Do you realise we have lost jumping at Windsor, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Folkestone and Hereford and now we have Towcester selling off some of it's fixtures as well.  We have got to support Natioanl Hunt racing or we will lose it altogether.

In the football, I know Germany lost to Argentina recently but they should be too strong for Scotland tonight at 7.45pm live on Sky.  The best price you can get is Germany at 6/1 on.  Georgia play the Republic of Ireland at 5pm.  This should be a close match.  I think Ireland can win and 13-10 is the best price you can get about them.  I see that England meanwhile are not even favourites to beat Switzerland and you can back them at 2/1.  Surely if they get beaten, manager Roy Hodgson's job must be in question.  I think we need a younger English manager with new ideas.  In the qualifying group betting England are 8/11 best with Corals while Switzerland are best 5/2.  The other four countries are any price.  If we don't qualify then the FA should be sacked alongside all the players.  The Group looks so weak.  Have a nice day.

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