Leger Day

Once again the race planning team should (not) give themselves a hearty pat on the back.  There are five meetings taking place this afternoon and there is not a single jumps fixture among them and it is the same story tomorrow.  After all, who wants to go jump racing on a day when most people are not working?!  Today's action comes from Doncaster, Chester, Bath, Lingfield and Musselburgh.  Doncaster host a good card (as indeed they should considering it is St Leger day!) although the big race isn't what it used to be back in the days of Nijinsky, Oh So Sharp, Reference Point et al.  There are only seven runners in the Leger and they all look like they would make decent hurdlers!

Order Of George is a non-runner in the St Leger, although Aidan O'Brien still has the favourite with Bondi Beach and second favourite Fields Of Athenry.  My idea of the winner though is the William Haggas trained Storm The Stars whose stamina looks assured - he won the Group 2 Great Voltigeur last time (which has traditionally been the best trial for the race) and was placed in both the English and Irish Derby's.  Frankie Dettori jumped off the favourite to ride Golden Horn in the Irish Champion Stakes...that should be a tip in itself!

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I am looking forward to the Premier League action this afternoon between Manchester United and Liverpool.  Both teams seem to be struggling, although at least United have managed to tie down their goalkeeper for four years.  You can bet 11/4 that de Gea keeps ten or more clean sheets, although with their defense as bad as it is that looks like terrible value to me.

I will be having a little wager on Everton to beat Chelsea at 3/1 and also Leicester to beat Aston Villa at 19/10 - that should give me a little interest.  I was amused to see that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is back to his cryptic best with such classics as, "I'm not happy, but I'm happy not being happy!"  No wonder his players look completely confused at present!

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It was another good day for the England cricket team as they beat the Australians in the latest one day match to level the series at 2-2 so it is all set for a big finale at Old Trafford tomorrow.  There was a great knock of 92 from Eoin Morgan who has now scored 599 runs in just nine innings.  Let's hope the rain stays away!

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Can you believe that Serena Williams somehow managed to get beaten in the US Open tennis by unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci who is ranked number 43 in the world.  It is considered one of the biggest upsets in tennis since dual champion Tracy Austin lost.  Success in the US Open would have made Williams only the fourth player to achieve a 'Calendar Slam'.

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A hapless shoplifter in Dortmund, Germany was nicked after returning to the scene of his crime to ask for a bag for his haul.  Mathias Richter is believed to be a carrier criminal!  Have a nice day...

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