Weekend Jottings!

Is Newbury racecourse on the up, or is Rod Stewart on the way down?!  I see that the Berkshire track have booked Rod to perform after racing on 29th May...let's hope the rain keeps away otherwise the audience could all be sailing!  I was talking with Rod's minder at Sandown races a few years ago and Rod was with him - Carol came up to him, quite unaware of who he was and told him to get a haircut.  In fairness Rod thought it was very funny.

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All of you gentlemen out there, don't forget that Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  If you are an old romantic like me, you could take your beloved to stand in the wind and rain at the top of Telegraph Hill for Exeter races on Sunday 13th February!  Better still, admittance tickets are just two for £10...what more could they want?!

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Now that the Grand National entries have been finalised, I couldn't help but notice that champion trainer Paul Nicholls has now had no fewer than 48 runners in the Aintree showpiece without hitting the mark.  Looking through his ten entries, Niche Market would appear to be his best chance of putting the record straight this year - he is currently available at odds of around 16/1.

There are a number of big names that haven't yet tasted Cheltenham Festival success as well...among them are Peter Bowen, Nicky Richards, Gordon Elliott and Paul Webber, although I don't think it will be too long before Gordon is a Festival winner.