Newcastle Abandoned

This afternoon the only jumps action comes from Kempton following the abandonment of Newcastle although there is an all-weather flat fixture from Wolverhampton.  Unsurprisingly David has no runners today.  There was some cracking action from Leopardstown yesterday which will have had plenty of Cheltenham Festival implications.  How impressive was Faugheen in the Irish Champion Hurdle?  He won by 15 lengths easing down from the biggest threats to him at Cheltenham; Nichols Canyon and Arctic Fire.  He looks fitter than last year and rates banker material come March although you won't get very rich backing him at odds of 2/5.

Willie Mullins has another star on his hands in Douvan who is favourite for the Arkle after his easy Grade One success yesterday.  He is certainly very much the one to beat although he still does take the odd liberty with some of his fences so he would be no sure thing to complete at Cheltenham.  I see following a successful weekend on these shores Mullins is now a best-priced 11/10 to win his first trainers' title over here while current leader Paul Nicholls is an even money chance.

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There was some interesting football action yesterday and I can't say I am surprised by Arsene Wenger's response after Arsenal were beaten by Chelsea.  The Gooners boss claimed that Diego Costa was responsible for getting Mertesacker sent off.  He is so short-sighted; all of the television pundits and top referee Mark Halsey said that the decision was the correct one...so Wenger is obviously right and everybody else is wrong!  I cannot believe what a bad loser he is.  As far as Arsenal are concerned, they are in desperate need of a hard man in midfield...the likes of Viera springs to mind.

Meanwhile Manchester United boss Van Gaal has definitely lost it.  Something has to be wrong with him and the sooner he goes the better for United.  He has bought a whole load of players who are not fit to wear the uniform.  Only the goalkeeper looks worthy of a place in the Premier League...sorry to any Rooney fans out there.

I was watching the ping pong world championships over the weekend from the Alexandra Palace.  It would seem that they had a few spare days free and needed something to put on at the venue.  The competitors all seemed to play a bit like MCP - none of them would have any chance in a proper world table tennis championship with proper bats.

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There were two cannibals eating a clown.  One turned to the other and asked, "does this taste funny to you?"!  Keep smiling...

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