Another Day Of Flat Action

It's another blank day as far as jumps action is concerned leaving us with just four flat cards from Ripon, Kempton, Chelmsford City and Leicester. The 9.20pm from Chelmsford City doesn't look very competitive.  Indeed, it is just a two runner race with Sir Mark Prescott's runner, Alinstante is a 1/6 chance according to the Racing Post.  The winner will pick up £11,000 in prize money while the loser will get £3,300 so prize money is certainly not the issue in this instance.  It is the last race on the card and I would imagine that most of the people will have gone home by 9.20pm!  Something needs to be done about two-runner races as it does very little for our sport.

Looking through the card, I would have thought that a few of the runners in the seller at Ripon at 2.00pm will be sold or claimed with a view to going hurdling.  There used to be loads more sellers and claimers over middle distances than there are today and I think that is a shame.  It is a good opportunity for moderate horses to pick up a win, while it also presents an opportunity for others to untap some potential.

I'm looking forward to the start of the York Ebor meeting tomorrow, particularly the clash between dual Guineas winner Gleneagles and Derby hero Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International.  They both look exceptional racehorses, although I would be inclined to think that with his proven abililty at the distance the balance will tip in favour of John Gosden's charge.

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Liverpool were lucky winners last night beating Bournemouth 1-0.  The Benteke goal was blatantly offside yet the referee missed it completely.  On the other side, Bournemouth had a goal disallowed that looked okay to me - the standard of refereeing was diabolic!  Perhaps the refs should pick up fines or bans where they make stupid mistakes?  I wonder if that would improve the quality of officiating?

Early days I know, but so far Manchester City have looked different class to the remainder of the Premier League.  I wonder when the bookies will begin paying out?!

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Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods is rapidly approaching his 40th birthday and his hopes of catching Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major victories are getting increasingly remote!  Tiger has won 14 major championships but there is no way that he is going to win any more.

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Finally, what do you call a pony with a sore throat?  A little horse!

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