One Huntingdon Runner

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon, all over the jumps at Huntingdon, Sedgefield, and Lingfield.  The stable has one runner at Huntingdon; Softsong who makes his debut for the Pond House team this afternoon.  Our six year old was pulled up on his final two starts of last season, although he had previously won a maiden hurdle at Doncaster in good style.  Tom Scudamore is on board this afternoon and we will know more about him this afternoon.  The jumps card at Lingfield is set to be held on heavy ground and there are only a number of small fields, indeed there are a total of 41 runners spread across their seven race card.  I would imagine the testing going will find a few of these out and there will be a fair number failing to finish.

I see that trainer Neil Mulholland is set to appear before a disciplinary panel on Thursday after his horse won the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton despite not being eligible to run in the race.  I am sure they will pick him up on Rule C37 which states "It remains the trainers responsibility to ensure a horse is not declared for a race for which it is not qualified."  The BHA blamed Weatherbys for not picking up on the NQ following a system failure.  It looks as though the trainer is banged to rights, although I do feel for him as some of the entry qualifications these days are far too over-complicated.

Former champion flat jockey Jamie Spencer is the most well-known of the five flat boys riding over hurdles at Lingfield this afternoon at 2.30pm.  It will certainly be interesting to see how they get on - the heavy ground will certainly make them work for their riding fee and their colours will return muddy for a change!

I wonder if Tom Scudamore is on the lookout for a new house in London?  I see he has just signed a three year sponsorship deal with estate agents Knight Frank.  As a London based firm I reckon they will have problems understanding Scu's accent!

*****

Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan has warned competitors that he is playing better than ever following his successful defense of his Champion of Champions title at Coventry over the weekend.  Surely Ronnie can't get any better?  Last time he played that well he said he was 15...he must have been some player back then!

*****

A saucy couple had to be cut free by police and fire fighters after a night of handcuffed fun went wrong in Brighton.  Every time I have been in handcuffs it has been anything but fun...I must be using them wrong.