Punchestown Day One

This afternoon there are five flat cards from Nottingham, Brighton, Bath, Lingfield and Wolverhampton but if you want a bit of jumping action you will need to look to Ireland where it is the first day of the Punchestown Festival.  There is some cracking action taking place and a few stars on show, including Ryanair Chase winner Vautour - a few of our jump jockeys have made the journey across the Irish Sea and it is hardly surprising given the prize money on offer.  David has one runner this afternoon on the level at Lingfield as Honeymoon Cocktail contests the middle distance handicap under Dane O'Neill and he looks to have claims.

It is good news to hear that Hereford racecourse will be reopening in October, although I understand that it needs a lot of money spending on the facilities there with some of them being left to ruin following it's closure.  It was the only track where I ever owned a winner and it was ridden by Sandy May...that tells you how long ago it was!

Talking of old people, I see that it is Ron Atkins' birthday today.  Ron, who was Martin's jockey in the early days is 73 today, although he still looks the same as when he was riding.  Now Ron would be able to tell some interesting stories!  Many happy returns Ron.

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There is a great football match to look forward to tonight as Manchester City take on Real Madrid on BT Sport.  It will be good to see Christiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale at Maine Road - there are sure to be some goals with those two on the field.  Manchester City are 2/1 to get the win and that looks like a big price to me.

If it were a fight the referee would have stopped the match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Brom.  It was so one-sided with Spurs looking by far the better team, yet somehow West Brom managed to come away with a draw.  Spurs midfielder Dele Alli could be out for the remainder of the season after he looked to have punched Claudio Yacob.

There was an epic snooker match last night in the world championships at the Crucible Theatre between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins with Hawkins getting the victory 13-12.  The result throws the championship wide open and the title really is up for grabs following 'The Rocket's' exit.

Would you buy a company from Sir Phillip Green for £1?  I wouldn't go near it - afterall, if he can't make money from it who can?  So, British Home Stores has gone bust...I wonder whether the £571 million pension black hole will be looked into?

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Earlier today I met the chap who invented the crossword.  Unfortunately I can't remember his name...it is P something T something R!

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