Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon, both over jumps from Carlisle and Southwell.  The stable has one runner at Carlisle; Mango Cap who makes his debut for the stable in the 12.15pm race - a 2m1f novices' hurdle.  There are eleven runners and Mango Cap has to concede a penalty to all of his rivals for winning last time out in France.  He showed a decent level of form over there and he looks to hold sound claims today.  Of course, there has been plenty of rain in the vicinity so the ground is likely to be very testing so if you are contemplating having a wager make sure your horse will handle the going.

Ashley Farrant was on the gallops yesterday morning and he noticed a couple of interested spectators on the gallops so he was quick to reach for his phone to take a picture.  The two deer in question certainly weren't shy and were just yards away - it isn't the clearest of images as it was during first lot and it was still very dark.

It was a pity to see the pictures of Folkestone racecourse yesterday following it's closure three years ago.  I can't believe where that time has gone...it was a measure that was only supposed to be temporary although judging by the images of the decaying stands it looks fairly permanent to me.  I have been to Folkestone a few times and while it was always a long journey, you were always made to feel very welcome by the staff there.  Hereford is another track to have closed and there is no sign of a return there either despite them holding the odd Arab meetings.  I had a winner there many years ago that was ridden by Sandy May...you older reader will know who I am talking about.

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There are three football matches taking place this afternoon with Aston Villa taking on Arsenal, Liverpool versus West Brom and Spurs against Newcastle  I will be having a crafty treble on Arsenal at 4/7, Liverpool at 2/5 and Spurs at 2/5.  All are short prices but they look like three good things to me even though my football mate tells me that they all played in Europe earlier in the week and could be tired.

I see that Manchester United have cancelled their Christmas party tonight even though they have no matches next week...I can't see how stopping the party is going to benefit them at all?  More to the point, is it not going to just spoil team morale?  All Manchester United should want for Christmas is a new centre forward and a more attacking style of play.

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A man who threw his mother-in-law into the crocodile pool at London Zoo recently has been prosecuted by the RSPCA!  Keep smiling...

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