Epic Warwick Success!

Another day, another winner for the stable!  David really does have the string in rude health at the moment and he could probably win with the stable cat right now!  What a difference a bit of decent ground can make.  Epic Warrior was successful in the three mile novices' handicap chase at Warwick yesterday under an excellent ride from Conor O'Farell and it was good to see the colours of the smartest owner in racing; Stuart Mercer carried to victory - he is certainly a snappy dresser.  Epic Warrior has been hunting and it certainly looks as though it has helped to freshen him up...perhaps I could do with going hunting myself?  That is a winner every day this week - let's hope that it continues today as David has one runner at Chepstow.

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Ludlow and Chepstow as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton.  Closer To Home is turned out again quickly under a penalty following his success at Exeter on Tuesday and winning jockey Michael Heard is in the saddle once again and claims 5lbs off his back.  There is every chance that he could follow-up.

It is good to see Newton Abbot will be hosting their first fixture of 2016 on Saturday.  This will be the first of 18 fixtures and they have managed to put up in excess of £1 million in prize money for the coming year.  The minimum prize money for a class 5 hurdle will be £6,000 and for a class 5 chase, £6,500...why do other courses not follow suit?  They do an excellent job for a relatively small track and are an prime example of how a racecourse should be run and there are plenty of courses that should take note.

Looking through the jockeys' championship I see that champion jockey elect, Richard Johnson has ridden a staggering 215 winners.  Even so, he is still some little way adrift of A P McCoy's best total of 289 set in the 2001/2 season.  I wonder if that is one of the records that will stand for all time?  One of the biggest problems is avoiding injury...whatever happens, it is some total.

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Did anybody else see the cricket yesterday?  I thought that England batted like a bunch of headless chickens!  Fortunately Ali scored 41 not out to help us to 143 while Afghanistan only reached 127 in their 20 overs...yes, I did say Afghanistan.

If any proof were needed that there is too much money in football, just look at the financial structure.  The team that finishes bottom of the division next season will get £100 million...not bad for finishing last I am sure you will agree!

Talking of football I see that Daniel Sturridge is reputed to be a £50 million target for Paris St Germain.  If I was the Liverpool boss I would take the money as quickly as possible.  Sturridge has been injury prone at best over the last 18 months - just think what boss Jurgen Klopp could do with £50 million.  If I were him I think I would drive Sturridge to Paris myself!

I may have a little wager on the Czech Republic to beat Scotland today at 4/5.  This might upset my old pal Sean but at the end of the day money is money!

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Thought for the day...If you look like your passport photograph, chances are you need the holiday!

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