Weekend Jottings!

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with a flat card from Hamilton and two National Hunt fixtures from Plumpton and Uttoxeter.  There was no action over the sticks yesterday, yet two of the three fixtures today are over the jumps - something is wrong with race planning.  There is a think tank being set up to look into the matter and I would love to have my say if you are listening BHA!!!

The stable has one runner at Uttoxeter today as Barneby takes in the 2m7f novices' handicap hurdle at 2.40pm and he would need to improve on what he has achieved so far.  Scu has picked up some spare rides aboard GeeGeez Geegee (where do they get these names from?!), Heist (a winner last time out), Bigindie and Capisci so our jockey has a busy day ahead of him.

It is the start of the new National Hunt season at Plumpton this afternoon.  It has always been a favourite track of mine - they often host some decent racing, both the race goers and staff are really friendly and best still, it is close to London!  MCP used to have plenty of runners up there and we would often have plenty of runners - it wasn't until years later that I discovered that it was the late Barry Cope's fish bar that was the big attraction...mind you, his curry was top class!  If you are ever anywhere near on a race day, Plumpton is certainly well worth a visit.

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I have been watching the Solheim Cup from Germany - it's a ladies golf tournament between Europe and the USA.  It is a very early start and hardly gives the players enough time to put their make-up on!  What did surprise me was the very small crowds of spectators there - had it been in England the turnout would have been enormous.

Looking at today's football match between Liverpool and Norwich, I reckon that the 4/6 on offer about Liverpool is akin to buying money.  Meanwhile Manchester United travel to Southampton and are odds against.  Only a couple of years ago they would have been long odds-on to win this match...how times change!  Finally, Spurs take on Crystal Palace and the even money about Tottenham looks tempting - it's another match where not so long ago Spurs would have been long odds-on.

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Patient:  Doctor, Doctor!  I'm worried...I keep thinking I'm a horse!
Doctor:  Well, I can treat you but it is going to cost a lot of money.
Patient:  Money is no object, I have just won the Grand National!

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