Yet More Rain!

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon, all of them on the flat from Catterick, Musselburgh, Lingfield, Kempton and Bath.  Once again Bath are bringing up the rear in terms of prize money with just £30,000 spread across their seven race card.  David had one runner on the level last night as Honeymoon Cocktail ran in the one mile handicap at Newbury under Mikey Ennis.  He ran okay to finish fifth under top-weight looking as though he would appreciate a little bit further and I am sure that it won't be long before David has his competing over hurdles.  The ground at Newbury last night was heavy and with a further 20mm of rain at Pond House overnight, it's not exactly the going you would associate with this time of year!  The stable has no runners today.

It is forty years since Barney Curley pulled off his most famous coup at Bellewstown on a horse called Yellow Sam.  The horse had not won for two years but he was primed to the minute for this occasion and the only public phone on the course was mysteriously occupied in the minutes leading up to and during the race so nobody could call out of the course!  Barney won £300,000 which is approximately £1.7 million in today's money!  Apparently they are going to make the gamble into a play and writer Colm Maher will make it fast, funny and emotional - I hope it comes over to England.  Talking of Barney Curley, he set me up good and proper last Autumn when donning a disguise and playing a taxi driver (pictured above) when we were picked up for last year's Newmarket Horses In Training Sales, he had me hook, line and sinker!

The trouble with racing on heavy ground is that the winning margins become distorted.  Just look at Brighton yesterday where French Press won the seven furlong handicap by 13 lengths!  The ground certainly played it's part in exaggerating the winners' supremacy although this one will win again under a penalty and I notice that he is in at Redcar on Saturday - don't miss it!

*****

I was able to get my Arsenal losses back on the football last night when I had three winners at 5/2, 2/1 and 15/8 - it's a great game when you are winning!

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal says Marouane Felliani could be the man to solve their striker problem.  A bit like Mourinho, Van Gaal would seem to have lost the plot!  Fellaini is not a striker and at the moment, neither is Wayne Rooney...time to get your cheque book out, and quickly!

Talking of United, they take on Club Brugge tonight at 7.45pm in their Champions League match tonight and are a best priced 10/11.  Surely United can beat this Belgian team or have they regressed that badly?  I am really tempted by the 10/11, sorry Tony!

*****

I see that a mother and daughter forked out an incredible £56,000 to look like Katie Price.  My big question is why?  That is all...

*****

I have added a few new titles to my 'must read' list..."Easy Money" by Robin Banks, "The Millionaire" by Iva Fortune, "Roof Repairs" by Lee King and "Across The African Plains" by Ann T Lope!  Have a nice day...

Tweet