Back To The Flat

It is very much feast or famine at present when it comes to National Hunt action!  Following three jumps fixtures yesterday, there are none once again today with all the action on the level from Ayr, Chelmsford City, Windsor and Wolverhampton.  The stable drew a blank yesterday with Purple 'N Gold running yet another creditable race to finish fourth in the competitive handicap chase at Stratford.  Having looked likely to finish tailed off, he stayed on well in the closing stages and definitely needs another half a mile judged on this evidence.  Meanwhile Junior Package showed some improvement to finish runner-up in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle under David Noonan although I was surprised to see him sent off favourite.

I see that it is former owner, Frank Farrant's birthday today.  Frank and his very glamorous wife Alison had some very good horses at Pond House down the years including Cesarewich winner Heros Fatal and top class hurdler Valfinet to name but a couple.  Many happy returns Frank, we hope you have a great day!

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I was pleased with the result of the Wimbledon men's final yesterday as I benefited financially from Andy Murray's rather one-sided success.  Murray is such a good returner of the ball, that even Raonic's 147mph serves weren't troubling him.  Once Djokovic was knocked out there could only be one winner as far as I was concerned and 6/4 looked a reasonable bet to me.

I had a great day yesterday watching the racing, tennis and European Cup football.  Jimmy Greaves once said that football is "a funny old games"...how right he was.  Football is one of the few sports where the best side does not always win - just look at Portugal.  They beat host nation France 1-0 with a goal in extra-time despite losing Ronaldo to injury.  You cannot really believe that Portugal are the best side in Europe.  I have to ask why the French thought that it was a good idea to take off Payet...he was clearly their best player and was the only one who looked like creating any opportunities.

Talking of football, am I the only one wondering what on earth the FA are thinking by considering Jurgen Klinsmann for the England manager vacancy?

Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone yesterday and the penalty on Rosberg for receiving radio messages from his pit-crew means that he is only one point adrift having trailed by 43 earlier in the season.  Hamilton said that it was so easy he was able to turn the engine down for the last 15 laps - surely another swipe at his team-mate?

I have just started a band called 999 Megabytes...we haven't done a gig yet!  Have a nice day...

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