Weekend Jottings!

There are only two meetings taking place this afternoon but at least there is a little balance with a flat fixture from Newcastle and a jumps card from Kempton.  Sadly Kempton has attracted just 45 runners across their seven race card and I am sure the good/firm ground has had something to do with that.  This just isn't the sort of ground you expect at this time of year and I am sure that many of the National Hunt trainers are reluctant to run their horses on that sort of surface.  It is a pity as Kempton have put up some good prize money with races worth £30,000 and £20,000.  David does not have any runners today.

While October has been remarkably dry, we have had quite a bit of rain in Devon over the last few days, especially nearer the coast where I live.  Hopefully there will be just enough to provide some nice safe jumping ground over the coming weeks and months.

It was Clare Balding's last day on television as a racing presenter yesterday and I think it is a great shame.  She does a great job and her professionalism will surely be missed.  She must do her homework because she covers a lot of different events and always sounds very knowledgeable about each of them.  Hopefully it is not the last we hear of her on the racing.

I see that Jilly Cooper's latest book based around the racing world is now available.  I remember meeting her at Martin's a number of years ago and she was jotting down loads of notes.  I took a look over her shoulder and complimented her on her shorthand.  She promptly told me it was not shorthand!  I couldn't read a word of it!  Anyway, the book is available from the Racing Post website shop and is £20 - I reckon it would be a good Christmas stocking filler.  Oh dear, am I really talking about Christmas already?!

Kudos to Fakenham racecourse who offered a £50 best turned-out prize for every race at their meeting earlier in the week.  The stable staff work very hard and turn the horses out beautifully.  This is something that I think all the courses should do...take note!

The Sun's racing correspondent Claude Duval has retired after 47 years at the newspaper.  When I had my ping pong column in the Sun Claude was there and was very helpful with my writing and stories...as you can tell, I must have listened to him!  Claude was the only existing member of staff remaining from day one of the publication.

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There are just a couple of football matches this afternoon with Middlesbrough taking on Watford and Southampton playing Burnley.  I reckon both look like home wins and will be having a cheeky little double at 13/10 and 4/9.

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I can always tell when I meet a particularly smart person - they always have the same opinions as me!

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