Great Weekend's Action

Today we have three meetings taking place with jumps action from Leicester and Catterick as well as an all-weather flat card from Lingfield although the stable does not have any runners.  What a great weekend of racing we were treated to with Cue Card winning the King George Chase at Kempton in a thriller from Vautour - the downside of the race was that both of the jockeys involved were awarded bans.  Can you think of another sport where you break the rules, yet still keep the title or event?  Paddy Brennan was awarded an eleven day ban and a fine of £4,200 while Ruby Walsh was suspended for two days...the sad thing is, I am sure if the race was re-run they would both do the same thing again.  I am not sure what the answer is...would Cue Card have won without Brennan getting stuck into him?  The answer is obviously no, so what do you do, kick the horse out?  What do you think?

Also on Saturday I was impressed by the performance of Altior who won the opening race on Kempton's card and looks like a very useful novice indeed, while predictably Faugheen was different class to his rivals in the Christmas Hurdle.  Of those that finished behind him I would not bother taking him on again...sorry Gino.

Yesterday the oldies rolled back the years as Sprinter Sacre edged out Sire de Grugy in a thriller for the Desert Orchid Chase.  Had Sire de Grugy jumped the last cleanly I think he would have won.  While it is good to see the pair competitive again I do not think that either one of them is back to their very best and will be looking elsewhere for the winner of the Champion Chase come March.

*****

Well, after the Christmas football matches I have come to the conclusion that Manchester City remain the team to beat in the Premier League after their 4-1 defeat of Sunderland, while Leicester could still quite easily finish in the top four despite being beaten by Liverpool.  Their stay atop the table was aided when Arsenal were thrashed 4-0 by Southampton with their defense exposed by the speed of the home side.

Manchester United's troubles continued when they were beaten 2-0 by Stoke and they look in desperate need of a new manager and about ten players - the only one who would get into another Premiership side is the goalkeeper with similar comments applying to Chelsea.  I will be looking to have a sneaky little double on Middlesborough at 4/6 and Brighton at 23/20 ...the Premier League looks too difficult for my liking!

*****

England look to just have the edge in the cricket test especially against South Africa after a good spell with the ball from Stuart Broad.  Meanwhile, Pakistani spinner Yasir Shali was suspended for failing a drug tests.  I have said it countless times before, but if you are found guilty of being a drugs cheat you should face a lifetime ban...it is the only way to stop cheating in any sport.

*****

The true state of the country's finances was revealed today when the Bank of England announced a closing down sale!

Tweet