Gold Rush!

Back to a blank day on the jumps front with just three meetings on the flat to look forward to from Chelmsford City, Thirsk and Windsor.  At least there was some jumping yesterday with Gabrial The Great turning recent form with War Singer around again, although it wasn't enough to get his head in front as he ran a creditable third in the novices' chase.  Meanwhile, Purple 'N Gold ran his usual honest race to finish a close fourth in the valuable handicap chase and will probably go up another 1 or 2lbs in the handicap.  He has won from 130 but a mark of 135 seems a few pounds too high - sadly that is the price you pay for consistency.

Tonight's evening meeting at Ayr has been abandoned due to waterlogging - can you believe that?!  Heavy rain over the weekend left the course with false patches of ground - I just had to look at the calendar to make sure that we are still in August!

What a crowd turned up at Market Rasen on Saturday - the meeting was followed by a concert from Jess Glynne and attracted over 14,000 people.  Newbury also fared well with an attendance of just under 14,000 to see Will Young - just think of the crowd that would have turned up if they had put on a good singer!  You may have guessed, I am not a great fan of Will Young.

There was a great football match yesterday between Liverpool and Arsenal with the Scousers prevailing 4-3.  Arsenal have over £200 million in the bank and it is about time that Arsene Wenger dug deep and spent some of it - they need a couple of top class defenders more than they need £200 million!  You can't buy someone for a couple of million and hope they can perform in the Premier League.  Liverpool's third goal by Mane was absolutely brilliant and showed just how slow the Arsenal defenders were.  I loved it when Liverpool went 4-1 ahead - the reaction of manager Jurgen Klopp was priceless...he certainly likes to get involved.  I bet Terry Neill was jumping up and down too!  Meanwhile there was a good result for Manchester United as they beat Bournemouth 3-1.

What a day at the Olympics for Team GB.  5 gold medals meant that it was the best day they have ever endured at an overseas games.  Justin Rose won gold in the golf and Andy Murray successfully defended his London 2012 title.

*****

Finally, a thought for the day...if you look like your passport photo, you are probably too ill to travel!

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