Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings this afternoon with jumps action from both Huntingdon and Kelso.  The big race of the day is most definitely the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon which has been won by some great names down the years including Best Mate, Edredon Bleu, not to mention Sabin du Loir who was such a great servant to Pond House.  Despite a handy £65,000 up for grabs there are only five runners which is a bit disappointing - even the last one home picks up £1742.  I feel sorry for sponsors when big money draws such a small field.

Tom Scudamore travels all the way to Kelso for three rides for Alan Swinbank, the best of which would appear to be Deep Resolve.

People often do not realise how much work goes on behind the scenes at a busy National Hunt racing yard.  As well as the welfare of the horse, all of the facilities need to be kept up to scratch, none more so than the trainer's most important tool - the gallops.  After every time the horses go up the gallops a tractor follows them up with two rollers on the back (pictured above).  One of the rollers has two sleepers attached to increase weight so every time the horses use the gallops they are flat, consistent and even.  If it gets too dry the water bowser goes up and distributes water to keep it moist - over five thousand winners have been sent out from these gallops from five furlong Royal Ascot winners to 4m4f Grand National winners so we must be doing something right!

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I was reading an interesting article about Tiger Woods the other day and I must admit that I was surprised that it has been seven years since he last won a major championship.  He is still four behind Jack Nicklaus' record and it doesn't look as though there is going to be much prospect of him breaking it - something that seemed a certainty seven years ago.  I reckon that Nicklaus' record is a bit like AP - maybe it will never be beaten.

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I will be sat in front of the box this afternoon as Liverpool take on Newcastle at 4pm.  The Scousers are in such good form at present and they could give the Geordies a right battering.  I am not sure how long Steve MacLaren's job will be safe.  I am sure the 50,000 supporters in the stands will soon be on his back.  It is time Mike Ashley spent some more of his millions!

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The world's greatest jigsaw puzzle designer was divorced today after his wife found out that he was keeping a piece on the side!  Keep smiling...