Noonan On The Mark

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Southwell and Hexham as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton.  The stable has no runners this afternoon although conditional jockey David Noonan (who was on the mark yesterday at Market Rasen) looks to have picked up another decent outside ride at Southwell as he is aboard favourite Loves Destination in the 4.40pm race for trainer Chris Gordon.  David was aboard when he won last time and a follow-up looks to be on the cards.  He has had a real breakthrough season with 34 winners in total and while he turned conditional some time ago now, David had the amateur jockeys' championship sewn up long before Christmas - a most promising young rider.

Talking of conditionals, I loved the ride that 3lbs claiming jockey Ger Fox gave Rogue Angel to win the Irish Grand National yesterday afternoon.  The eight year old made all before getting headed over the last by Ruby Walsh.  The canny conditional had saved a bit however and his mount battled back bravely to get up and win by a short head - I just love that type of horse and that thrilling sort of race.

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There is another exciting international football match to look forward to this evening as England take on Holland at Wembley at 8pm - coverage is on ITV.  Let's hope that it is not one giant hangover after beating the Germans last week.  The biggest price I can see on offer about England is 3/4.  I am not sure that the line-up will be our best eleven either.  Both James Milner and Theo Walcott would be in that line-up, so while England should prevail I am not in any great hurry to give my winnings back.  I lived in Holland for a couple of years a long time ago and I know that they do not take the friendlies too seriously.  It sounds as if I am talking myself into backing England...oh, go on then!

My beloved West Ham beat a Hammers All-Star side in a charity football match yesterday in front of over 35,000 fans.  They raised over £1/2 million for the DT38 Foundation, Help For Heroes and the Richard House Childrens Hospice.  Paolo di Canio scored the winner and was also the star of the match.

The papers are full of good pictures of former ladies number one tennis player Maria Sharapova relaxing on the beach in Los Cabos, Mexico.  It's a hard life when you could be facing a four year ban from the sport for drug taking.

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I was at sea the other day and loads of meat floated on past.  Yes, it was a bit choppy!  Have a nice day...

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