Ascot, Wetherby Runners

Today we have four meetings to look forward to with just one on the flat at Newmarket plus 3 jump cards from Ascot, Wetherby and Ayr.  Ascot has come up with £238,000 in prize money and the stable runs Poole Master and Gevrey Chambertin at the Berkshire track.  Gevrey Chmbertin won a 3 runner novices' chase at Bangor on good ground but will find this altogether a different test this afternoon - if he can reproduce his best hurdle rating of 147 he would go very close.  He is about a 10/1 chance with some of the firms and looks to have each way claims.  Poole Master has Michael Heard taking a handy 7lbs off his back.  Meanwhile Taj Badalandabad makes the long trip up to Wetherby and makes his hurdling debut under Conor O'Farrell.  Unbeaten in two starts in bumpers he looks like an exciting hurdling prospect and would appear to hold leading claims today.

The first day of the Breeders Cup meeting saw some exciting action and although there was no success for the Europeans, Frankie Dettori still managed to crash the party as he rode a good race to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf aboard Wesley Ward's Royal Ascot victor Hootenanny.  He tried to put a stetson on on his way back into the winners' enclosure but it kept falling off!  Nonetheless he still managed to pull off a flying dismount and it was good to see him back on the big world stage.

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The Halloween party went well at David's place last night.  However, I did find it a bit off-putting as I had a mask on yet everyone knew who I was!  When i removed it everybody screamed - not quite the effect I was looking for!  There were some great costumes with Ashley Farrant and Gerry Supple looking the part, while Gemma from our office came as a witch - I will say no more!  Best turned out on the evening had to be Amanda Barrie, while MCP was Dracula - he fell asleep at 9pm and proabably needed more blood!  The picture above is of Gerry, myself and David, while the picture below is of me, my wife Jane and Martin.

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Today's football looks interesting, especially if you like backing short prices.  Arsenal at 2/7, Chelsea at 2/11, Wolves at 4/7 and Celtic at 1/3 all look like certainties - they won't make you rich but you should net a profit.

No prizes for guessing where will I be at 1.30pm tomorrow...in front of the television for the Manchester City versus Manchester United clash - neither team are as good as they uses to be!

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How can Judy Murray still be on Strictly Come Dancing?  She moves like a stick insect!  Instead of viewers phone calls, the decision should be left to the experts - the trouble is, how will they make any money if they stop the phone vote?  Most of her votes are coming from Paris!  Andy lost - I will say no more!