Dettori's Golden Arc

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Pontefract and Windsor as well as a jumps card from Market Rasen.  I had a good day yesterday courtesy of the successes of Hello George at Kelso and the Tom Scudamore ridden Ullswater at Uttoxeter - I did give them a positive mention here yesterday so I hope a few of you followed me in.  The big news of the day however was undoubtedly the Arc success of Golden Horn and Frankie Dettori at Longchamp - I thought the Derby winner scored with a bit in hand and he is a truly exceptional three year old.  Treve could only manage fourth in her bid to land an historic third win in the race.  There were eight races on the Longchamp card yesterday and British trainers won four of them.

Many happy returns to former trainer and legendary gambler turned fund raiser Barney Curley who is 76 today.  Barney has always been a great hero of mine and I really do believe that racing would benefit enormously from a few more characters like him.  Anyway, many happy returns Barney - we hope you have a great day.

*****

The big sports news of the weekend was that Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers was given the old pac-a-mac.  I say big news, but it isn't really...Rogers has looked to be skating on thin ice and it was only a matter of time before he was given his marching orders.  The trouble is the Liverpool board think their team are better than they are - as far as I can tell, they are the fifth or sixth best team in the league.  It looks as though a foreigner will be bought in as Rogers' replacement...don't feel too sorry for him however - as he is due to receive a nice £4 or 5 million payoff.  It's the only job I can think of where you can fail miserably, get a nice big golden handshake and be back in work again before you know it.  Meanwhile Dick Advocat resigned from his position with Sunderland so after just eight games, two managers have already gone.

There was an interesting match between Arsenal and Manchester United yesterday and Arsenal pulled United apart en route to a 3-0 victory.  During the first half it appeared to be a professional side taking on a bunch of non-leaguers.  How can Young play at full back?  Schweinsteiger looks a bad boy and slow to boot, while I didn't even realise that Wayne Rooney was on the pitch!  The good news for United fans is that they can only get better!

*****

Talking of managers getting the sack, it looks to me that England should be looking for another rugby manager after the home nation were dumped out of the Rugby World Cup following their 33-13 beating by the Aussies.  Just to add further embarrassment this is the first time that the host nation has failed to qualify for the finals.  The papers build our sides up only to knock them down again.

*****

Church lead thieves who have so far cost Suffolk parishes £250,000 struck for the ninth time in Groton yesterday...it sounds like fiddlers on the roof!

Tweet