Haydock, Newton Runners

With Stratford abandoned earlier in the week due to waterlogging it leaves us with four meetings to look forward to this afternoon.  The action comes from Haydock, Newton Abbot and Carlisle over jumps while there is an all-weather flat card from Kempton.  David runs Port Navas at Wincanton and Lady Of Longstone, Bella and Heath Hunter at Haydock where it is finals day for the inaugural "Challenger Series" aimed at bringing some welcome prize-money to those mid-tier horses.  Lady Of Longstone and Bella (pictured above) both contest the mares' final over 2m3f and they have both been real money-spinners this term, winning seven races between them - they both appear to hold small each way claims.

Meanwhile Heath Hunter was runner-up at Newcastle last time out on heavy ground and I thought that he had a decent chance at odds of around 10/1.  Over at Newton Abbot Port Navas contests the National Hunt novices' hurdle having previously finished unplaced in a heavy ground bumper at Chepstow.  He should know more today, although this is his hurdling debut and while he has schooled nicely at home, this is another new experience for him.  Conor O'Farrell is in the saddle.

There was a record crowd at Lingfield yesterday for their £1 million Good Friday card with 10,106 people going through the turnstiles.  Before there is too much back slapping about a job well done, it is worth remembering that Division 2 side Portsmouth had 16,670 people turn up to their Bank Holiday match.  I do think that sometimes we get a bit carried away about our own sport and forget to look at the bigger picture - aside from the Derby, Royal Ascot, Cheltenham and the Grand National there is clearly still plenty of work to be done to get the punters onto the racecourses.  The question remains, how do we get the youngsters to get off their computers and go racing?  I keep saying that free admission would work, but instead of that the courses would rather hold pop concerts to make it pay.  Any ideas?  By the way, I live ten miles from Newton Abbot and the weather is foul!

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The Germany versus England match should be interesting tonight.  It is covered live by ITV and the match kicks off at 7.45pm.  I will be having an interest in England at 5/1, purely because that is too big a price in a two horse race - I think England will score goals, the trouble is they are likely to give a few away as well!

Jose Mourinho will be given £60 million for a three year deal to manage Manchester United - that will make him the highest paid manager in history.  I hope he manages to keep the players on his side this time - I don't think he will be bringing in too many Chelsea players.

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Do you know what makes my blood boil?  Crematoriums!

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