Market Rasen Success!

For 'N' Against managed to get his head in front yesterday afternoon at Market Rasen and in the process land his first success over fences.  He was 3lbs 'well-in' from his run at Fontwell so he really needed to win this otherwise it was going to get more difficult still to win a race.  Making all and jumping well in the main under a positive ride from Tom Scudamore he found enough when challenged in the straight.  This was still only his fifth outing over fences and hopefully he can go on from this and Mr Nasty (the handicapper!) won't be too unkind to him.

There are six meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Ayr, Haydock, Newmarket, Redcar, Lingfield and of course the final day from Royal Ascot.  Yes, a Saturday and there is not a jumps card in sight...what is going on?!

I hope a few of you followed me yesterday by backing Quiet Reflection at Royal Ascot.  It was a great Group One win for former jump jockey Dougie Costello - a thoroughly well-deserved success.  Anyone who followed the Aidan O'Brien stable blind yesterday would have had a good day, even though a couple of his well-fancied runners were turned over he was still on the mark with Brave Anna at 16/1 and Sword Fighter at 33/1.

Many happy returns to my old friend Brod Munro-Wilson, rider of The Drunken Duck.  Brod is a real character who comes into our Cheltenham Festival marquee from time to time.  I still remember his unorthodox riding style - he always looke more like the drunker pilot!

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The big game of Euro 2016 today is between Belgium and Ireland and is on ITV at 2pm.  You can back Ireland at 9/2, although the draw may be a spot of value at 11/4.

I guess it is a case of better late than never as England manager Roy Hodgson has announced that neither Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling will start against Slovakia on Monday.  I am not sure they should have played in the previous match!

The sensible decision to stop Russia from competing in the Rio Olympics has been made.  Even so, individuals can still compete providing they can prove via drugs testing that they are clean.  If one of them wins a medal the country of origin will be announced as unknown.  It is certainly going to be difficult to sort out.

The US Open golf course looks brutal.  Andrew Landry leads with a first round of 66 - that's right, I have never heard of him either!  After finishing his round he went straight to the laundry to wash his clothes - I guess he didn't think he would be sticking around long enough to bring more, afterall he has missed the cut in six of his last eleven starts.

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Mae West once famously said, "Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet!"  Have a nice weekend...

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