Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps fixtures from Carlisle and Huntingdon.  The stable has runners at each meeting with Twentytwo's Taken participating in the 2m4f novices' handicap chase at Carlisle at 1.35pm, while Port Navas represents us at Huntingdon in the 3m1f handicap hurdle at 3.00pm.  Twentytwo's Taken has some decent winning form over hurdles and hopefully she can translate that ability to the larger obstacles on this chase debut - she is partnered by Tom Scudamore.  Michael Heard is aboard Port Navas and claims a handy 5lbs off his back, although he will need to improve on what he has shown thus far to figure.

The intermediate chase on the Carlisle card looks intriguing - I expect the course are disappointed there are only three runners, although what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality with former World Hurdle winner More Of That, Bristol de Mai and Seeyouatmidnight taking part.

I know it is an age old problem, but it is a shame that so many horses are packed off to stud at the end of their three year old career's.  I don't suppose it is quite so sad if you are one of the horses!  Shalaa, The Last Lion, Mehmas and Twilight Son have all been retired to stud.

I was looking at the list of conditional jockeys and there are some very good young jockeys coming through.  Our conditional jockey David Noonan is an 8/1 chance according to bookmakers while Harry Cobden is the 1/2 favourite and that looks plenty short enough to me.

Trainer James Turner made me chuckle yesterday with his interview after the success of Zakety Zak.  The commentator suggested the 20/1 success was something of a shock, to which Turner replied, "All of my winners are shocks!"

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I will be glued to the television this afternoon as Everton take on West Ham at 1.30pm - at least there shouldn't be any crowd trouble.  The other match is between Southampton and Chelsea, so it looks like a London club double to me!

It is hard to believe, but I see that soap opera Emmerdale is popular in New Zealand.  The Kiwi's went to the set of the show to meet the stars recently.  They obviously don't have much to do back home!

The Formula One circus moves to Mexico this weekend and Lewis Hamilton needs another victory to keep any hopes of a fourth world title alive.  He trails team mate Nico Rosberg by 26 points with three races left and Rosberg can afford to finish second twice and third in the remaining races and be crowned champion even if Hamilton wins all three.  Sounds like a formality to me.

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