5 Flat Fixtures

There are just five flat cards taking place this afternoon with action from Newmarket, Carlisle, Doncaster, Epsom and Newbury.  There is an excellent mid-week card from flat racing's HQ, Newmarket as they host two Group 2 races and a Group 3 contest.  Mind you, the Group 3 race has attracted just five runners and as long as you finish, you win some prize money.  In fact,there is prize money down to sixth place!  I think I would bring in a rule saying there needs to be at least 8 or 9 runners for the race to go ahead.

The seller at Wolverhampton yesterday was very interesting with a real drifter in the shape of favourite Late Shipment.  He was rated 84 on the flat and had upwards of 15lbs in hand of his rivals yet you were still able to get odds against.  In the end he finished a well-beaten third but was still claimed after the race for £5,000.  I would imagine the new owners have just bought a hatful of problems - he looks like a bleeder...indeed, if you backed him he was a real bleeder!

I see that Frankie Dettori was among those added to the Newmarket Legends Walk yesterday - it is a similar idea to the walk of fame in Hollywood.  Can you believe that the Italian arrived in Newmarket 30 years ago to the day?  I know he has made mistakes along the way, but he has done a great deal to raise the profile of racing in this country and now that AP McCoy has hung up his boots, he is one of our most valuable assets.

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Andy Murray made it through to the semi-finals of Wimbledon yesterday with a straight forward three set victory over Vasek Pospisil and he now faces a mouth watering clash with Roger Federer in the next round.  The Fed Express has won his last four meetings with Murray at SW19, although I think the Brit is playing and serving as well as he ever has so far this tournament Betfred are offering 4/5 about a Murray win and I will help myself to a bit of that.  Meanwhile, Serena Williams is a 1/5 shot to beat Maria Sharapova - I think I will give it a swerve at those prices and just enjoy my last glimpse of Sharapova for another twelve months!

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What a knock for England cricketer Joe Root yesterday as he scored a magnificent 134, especially as he was dropped when he was on just 2!  Having been 43-3 it was an excellent recovery from the home side to finish the day on 343-7.  Another 50 or 60 runs and a draw looks like the best result...can you tell that I (reluctantly!) backed the Aussies?

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Former Southampton legend Matt le Tissier was asked for a photograph yesterday at Wimbledon.  He looked absolutely chuffed that someone had recognised him!  I think they probably wanted him to take the picture!

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I think I might try to become the next President of the USA.  Did you know that during his first term of Presidency George Bush was on vacation 42% of the time?  It sounds like some of the Royal Family!  Perhaps I should put in a CV to Buck House instead?

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