Glued To The Set!

There are five flat meetings taking place this afternoon with action from Leicester, Hamilton, Chepstow, Doncaster and Epsom.  I would love to know why one of yesterday's jumps cards from Worcester or Uttoxeter could not have taken place today and given a bit more balance for National Hunt fans - I reckon plenty of people would have attended both meetings had they been on different days, but then again what do I know?!  Following the defection of Street Entertainer, Susie Sheep was our only runner yesterday and she finished fourth in the 2m4f handicap chase.  She was beaten about seven lengths from a mark of 118 - remember she was second on her previous outing from 112 but the handicapper put her up by 6lbs.  If she can't win from 112, how is she supposed to win from 118?  I bet she doesn't get dropped by 6lbs!

There was an all women's Stewards panel at Uttoxeter yesterday afternoon...can you imagine having to go before them carrying four bunches of flowers?!

I see that 13 year old Dhaular Dhar won the amateur riders' race at Catterick yesterday under a Mr M Ennis - no not the M Ennis that won the Midlands National for us aboard Big Occasion!  I think for a thirteen year old to still be winning, it is a great credit to connections including trainer Jim Goldie.

Apparently Ryan Moore could be out of action until the autumn effectively scuppering any hope he had of claiming a fourth jockeys' championship.  De Sousa is now a 4/6 chance with Bet365 and he looks a worthy odds-on favourite with Richard Hughes surprisingly seeming less than fussed about closing out his riding career as champion jockey.

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There is plenty to look forward to today with the start of the Open Golf at 6.30am and there look to be some nice bets in today's three ball matches - Willett tees off at 1.12pm and he can be backed at 6/4, while Dufner (12.50pm) is worth an interest at 7/5.  Completing my acca are Bubba Watson (9am) at 6/4 and Curtis (10.07) at 2/1 - you heard it here first!  I was watching Peter Allis yesterday and he thinks that veteran Tom Watson will be in the top twenty - he said when the wind starts blowing you have to hit the ball straight and Watson should be able to do that.

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There is also the small matter of the start of the second Ashes Test today between England and Australia.  The match starts at 11am and unless the Aussie's improve on their first Test performance they are in real danger of going 2-0 down in the series - I didn't think I would be writing that a week ago!  The Australians are a best priced 7/5 and the question is, can they possibly play as badly again?  Anyway, with all this quality sport on I will be glued to the TV, just don't tell Mrs Barnes!

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I am off to the doctor's today at 10am to have laser treatment on my eyes  (sadly a necessary evil due to my diabetes) - he tells me I'm the perfect pupil!

I will leave you on a light-hearted note: Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants?  In case he got a hole in one!  Well, it is topical...

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