Two Chepstow Runners

This afternoon there are four meetings taking place with two on the level at Nottingham and Kempton and a couple of jumps cards at Warwick and Chepstow.  The stable has two runners at the Welsh track; Tullyesker Hill (pictured above) and Herbert Park.  I see that Herbert Park is forecast favourite according to the Racing Post on the strength of his second in a bumper on this course last month on good/soft ground.  He can only improve for the experience and looks to have a solid chance under Tom Scudamore.

There was money around for our sole runner Bygones Sovereign at Exeter yesterday, although our eight year old has yet to win from a handicap mark as high as 115.  He looks as though he could do with a further drop in the weights.  Meanwhile I thought that although coming back from an absence Cue Card was still disappointing in the Haldon Gold Cup.  I am sure Colin Tizzard will have left a bit to work on and the trip does look on the sharp side for him these days, but considering he was sent off a well-backed favourite I would have thought that better was expected.  He was beaten in the race last year before going on to score in the Betfair Chase, although he will need to improve even more this time around.

My sporting hero Lester Pigott celebrates his 79th birthday today.  The great one once said, "Why all the fuss?  Afterall the Derby is just another race!" - he said this just after winning the Epsom showpiece aboard Never Say Die as an eighteen year old.  He doesn't look much different 61 years later!  Many happy returns Lester.

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It seems to be commonly accepted that the English Premier League is the finest division in the world although I am not so sure.  We probably pay the best wages and that is what attracts the overseas players.  Looking at last night's European results, Arsenal were cruising to victory 3-0 against Anderlecht but somehow managed only to draw 3-3, leaving them five points behind Dortmund, while Liverpool lost 1-0 away to Real Madrid and are now nine points behind the leaders.

Manchester City need to beat bottom team CSKA Moscow at home tonight.  They have played three matches and are yet to win a game...are we really the best league in the world?  I am not so sure.

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If you are looking for a change of vocation, I see that golfer Adam Scott is looking for a caddie.  For carrying his bag around you will receive 10% of any prize money won, plus all expenses to fly around the world.  Given his success this season, I would imagine the wages are very good...I wonder if I would be allowed to use an electronic golf trolley?  I bet he will get some even stranger people than me applying.