Scu's Good News

With Musselburgh abandoned it means that we are left with just two all-weather cards from Lingfield and Wolverhampton for Good Friday.  Lingfield's card isn't bad mind you, with over £1 million in prize money up for grabs, while even Wolverhampton have put up some decent money.  I find it hard to believe that on a day like today when most people have the day off, we don't have a jumping card on - I suppose for those fans of jumping, there is at least the Lambourn Open Day to look forward to, let's hope they get some good weather for that.

There was some good news of stable jockey Tom Scudamore (pictured above) who was hurt in a fall at Uttoxeter last Saturday.  He has seen a specialist since and while he is taking it easy for now, he will be back for Aintree in less than a fortnight.  With 84 winners on the board and five weeks of the National Hunt season remaining I am sure he would dearly love to reach 100 winners again.

I see that Sam Waley-Cohen has lost his appeal to have his Carlisle ban overturned.  Personally I think that it is a harsh decision when he was clearly looking after the now retired former Gold Cup and King George winner on his first start for almost two years.  Yes, he made a silly mistake and the stewards are correct by the letter of the law but a bit of common sense could have prevailed.  He now misses the entire Aintree Festival and he has an enviable record over those larger fences.

Two days after winning at Exeter, Closer To Home did not jump a single hurdle cleanly at Chepstow.  It just goes to illustrate the ups and downs of racing.  He clearly has his share of ability but he doesn't look the easiest to predict.  The winner, Florrie won well despite hitting the last and looks the type to follow-up shortly.

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There are some good international football matches to look forward to today with Holland taking on France, although the one that appeals as a cracker is Ireland versus Switzerland at 7.45pm.  The Irish are 39/20 chances - strange odds indeed, but they certainly look worth a wager.

The big one takes place on Saturday and that is between Germany and England on Saturday.  England are 5/1 chances and that tells you how bad the bookmakers think our national side is.  It is on live at 7.45pm and I will be having a little bit of the 5's to give me an interest.  Talking of England, I can't believe they want Wayne Rooney back in the team.  He is no centre forward - he doesn't score enough goals.  I have to say that I agree with Matt le Tissier, I would much rather see Harry Kane leading the line.  The trouble is manager Roy Hodgson is a massive Rooney fan.

I see that golfer Jason Day has suffered a worrying back injury scare just two weeks before the start of the Masters.  Mind you, if I were driving the ball over 300 yards a time, I reckon I would have a few back issues as well!

Anyway, have a nice Easter and don't eat too much chocolate!

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