Next Jumping Boxing Day

With the abandonment of Bangor yesterday due to waterlogging we are left with just two meetings taking place this afternoon both on the all-weather with the action coming from Southwell and Wolverhampton.  Stable jockey Tom Scudamore was on the board with a winner yesterday aboard Dormouse - the time of the race was 4m36secs which gives you some idea of how heavy the ground was.  Having said that, the 2m7 1/2f beginners' chase took 7m4secs...one of my marriages didn't last that long!

What a reception A P McCoy received at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Belfast at the weekend.  It was probably the longest standing ovation I have heard in many years and thoroughly deserving.  Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said that McCoy stands apart when it comes to people that he admires most...that is some compliment indeed.  They could do with Sir Alex back at United.  David and Martin were supposed to be in Dublin for the SPOTY Awards but unfortunately they were stranded at Bristol airport along with Philip Hobbs when the plane broke down meaning significant delays.  I bet the airport sales of Budweiser surged on Sunday afternoon!

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There was a great win for Arsenal last night as they beat Manchester City 2-1 leaving them only two points behind leaders Leicester...yes, Leicester - I still can't believe that I am writing that!  The January transfer window will be very interesting - I bet there have already been plenty of agents sniffing around those two Leicester strikers.

I was fascinated to listen to FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday.  He certainly isn't going to go quietly - it is as if he has done nothing wrong and it is everybody else who is wrong!  It seems to me that he has completely lost the plot as well as about €2 million!  He hasn't exactly lost the Euros, he knows that Platini has them but there was no contract as it was a verbal agreement - it's great if you can get away with it!

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Alastair Cook and Joe Root both hit centuries for England in South Africa and they look to be in good nick ahead of their first Test match that begins on Boxing Day.  The weather looks great and it was good to see some cricket that isn't interrupted by rain!

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The astronomer royal announced today that 21st June will no longer be the longest day of the year.  In the future it will be on the day of the Eurovision Song Contest!  Have a nice day...