The Longest Day

Did you know that it is the longest day today?  Unfortunately it is a miserable start to the day and the sixteen or so hours of daylight we are supposed to have is looking a little optimistic!  There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with three flat cards from Chepstow, Windsor and Wolverhampton as well as a jumps fixture from Southwell.  Stable jockey Tom Scudamore and conditional jockey David Noonan both travel to Southwell for rides, the best of which looks to be Benenden in the 4.45pm for Tom's brother Michael.  David does not have any runners today.

Looking at the action from the weekend, what about Megalala who won at Lingfield on Saturday night at the age of fifteen?  Mind you, he is still 3 years younger than Marksman although that was 190 years ago!  It is hard enough just to keep horses sound, let alone with them at fifteen years old so an excellent performance from everybody involved.

Many happy returns to Micky Fletcher.  "The Asparagus Kid" was the loudest bookmaker I have ever known and racing could do with a few more characters like him.  Micky had horses with Martin for some time, including useful hurdler Kailash.  Many happy returns Micky, we hope you have a great day.

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Dustin Johnson won the US Open at the weekend and in so doing also landed his first major trophy.  He was the only top ranked player to post a score under par as he finished on -4 despite having a penalty shot as his ball moved on the green.  I don't understand why they set the greens up so quick...it is like putting on lino and I think it has taken a lot of skill out of the game.  If you get on the wrong side of the hole you are doomed.  Meanwhile you have to feel sorry for Ireland's Shane Lowry who let a four shot lead slip.

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Tonight it is England against Slovakia in the European Cup.  England are 4/5, but it is worth remembering that they only need a point to qualify.  Even so, it is always a risky thing to play for a draw, especially with our defense.  Wales also play today as they take on the Russians at 8pm - I cannot believe that Wales are 21/10.  I may be mad but I will be backing the two home countries!

I see that Wayne Rooney wants England manager Roy Hodgson to stay in charge of the national side, presumably that is so he keeps selecting him until he is forty!

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