Derby Day For Scu!

This afternoon there are four meetings taking place and they are all on the flat with action coming from Doncaster, Epsom, Chepstow and Chelmsford City.  It is the second day of the St Leger meeting from Doncaster and they have pushed the boat out by putting up over £1/2 million in prize money.  The big race is a two year old stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs with £300,000 up for grabs - unsurprisingly it has drawn a bumper field of 22 runners...I might buy a lottery ticket rather than try to pick the winner of this race!  Summer is over for another year (did it ever really start?!) but there are still gaps in the jumping programme with no National Hunt action now until Monday - you know my thoughts on that!

Our only runner yesterday at Uttoxeter, Skylander was a little disappointing when finishing only sixth in the three mile handicap hurdle.  He had previously been in good form but may have found this one quick race too many - he could well return to winning ways when freshened up a little bit.

Joseph O'Brien was the star of the show yesterday at Doncaster as he landed the Leger Legends race aboard Phosphorescence - he could still be riding if it were not for his burgeoning string of horses in training.  Meanwhile George Duffield who is almost 70 was third - there is hope for us oldies yet!

Stable jockey Tom Scudamore is off to Epsom this afternoon (yes, I did say Epsom!) where he rides in the 3.50pm race which is the jump jockeys' Derby handicap over 1m4f.  Scu is aboard favourite Jupiter Custos for his younger brother Michael and they are hopeful of a big run.

Many happy returns to Martin Foster who is 46 today.  Martin was champion conditional when at Pond House in 1991 - he could also box a bit so I never tried to upset him!  Anyway, we hope you have a great day Martin.

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Andy Murray has lost in the US Open - I hope a few of you followed me and backed Novak Djokovic at odds-against.  In an extraordinary turn of events, three of Djokovic's opponents have retired hurt - noone has ever completed just nine sets on the way to the last four of a Grand Slam tournament.  He should be nice and fresh and I wouldn't want to be backing anyone else.

Apparently Tiger Woods could be playing golf again next month having not played for over a year.  He has had two back operations and is now number 711 in the world rankings - he could play in the Safeway Open and it will be interesting to see how he gets on although the glory days are long gone.

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My body is a temple.  I am not religious so it is just run down and dilapidated!

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