Weekend Jottings

This afternoon there are three meetings taking place on the level at Newmarket, Salisbury and Hamilton.  Channel 4 are covering all three meetings so it is a treat for racing fans this weekend - I can't remember the last time they were at Hamilton.  There is a cracking card from Newmarket, as you would expect given that it is 1,000 Guineas day.  There is also a Group 2 and Listed contest supporting the big race.  Interestingly Kieren Fallon travels all the way up to Hamilton for four rides - you would have thought he could have found something at Newmarket, he is still a top jockey after all.

I still think that the betting rules for horses not starting need to be looked at.  Last week in the Bet365 Gold Cup 8/1 second favourite Grand Jesture refused to race but as he had come under starters' orders, punters lost their money.  As far as I am concerned, if you cannot win - how can you lose?  Surely in these instances punters should be reimbursed?  And no, I am not talking through my pocket!  Perhaps they should change it so that the horses need to travel a certain distance (maybe a furlong or so?) to be deemed a runner.  The rule as it stands is 100% in favour of the bookmaker and that stinks.

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There are a couple of big football matches to look forward to this afternoon with Chelsea taking on Crystal Palace at 1.30pm.  A win for Chelsea would seal the Premier League for them and with Palace safe from relegation, the 4/11 about Chelsea looks like it is a case of buying money.

Tottenham Hotspur play Manchester City at 4pm.  City haven't been convincing of late and with Spurs level with Liverpool in fifth place in the Premier League, they look worth a bet at odds of around 14/5.

I see that the board at Manchester United have given manager Louis Van Gaal two years to win the Premier League.  I wonder who their next manager will be?!  Their goalkeeper David De Gea has been the best keeper in the division this season and has saved them 20 goals this season, yet he wants away...how do you replace a player like that?

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Apparently IBF welterweight boxing champion Kell Brook says that he can stop Floyd Mayweather getting to 50 wins.  It sounds as though Brook is trying to get himself a big pay day by fighting "The Bank".

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American sprinter Tyson Gay has been handed a one year ban from athletics for testing positive to steroids.  The length of the ban is so short because Gay has co-operated with the US Anti Doping Agency and shown them how it can be done.  As far as I am concerned all drugs cheats should be banned for life if they are found to have cheated, something that the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt agrees with.

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Finally, did you know that your tongue is the strongest muscle in your body?  Just ask Floyd Mayweather!  Have a nice weekend...

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