Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps fixture from Fakenham and an all-weather flat card from Lingfield.  To be honest, with all the best meetings coming over the Christmas period, today's action looks decidedly ordinary.  It is hardly surprising that David does not have any runners today so I have only paid the meetings lip service.  The one that catches the eye to me is G'day Aussie in the 2.20pm race at Fakenham who is partnered by in-form jockey Brian Hughes.

I have started watching the darts from the Ally Pally.  I still can't believe how popular the sport has become over the past decade - there are so many colourful characters playing the game and that has to be part of the draw.  In so many sports nowadays the participants just keep bleating out their sponsor's message and the real characters seem to have disappeared.  This must be the only sport where the audience are encouraged to get so involved - perhaps there is a lesson in this for some of our other sports?

Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen is the current superstar of darts having won 25 titles so far this year.  The strange thing about that is when I was living in Alkmaar I don't recall even seeing a dart board...it just goes to show what a bit of publicity can do.

John Higgins beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-2 in their Scottish Open clash on Friday and the Scot has looked in good nick during this tournament even though he says that the tables have no grip.  These sportsmen nowadays don't know they are born.  I remember the only time I ever saw a maximum 147 break - it was done by Ray Reardon at Pontins Brackshaw Bay - Ray was lucky if there was cloth on the tables!  I still see Ray a lot, he is the president of my local golf club at Churston.  He still looks well but the jet black Dracula hair isn't quite as dark as it used to be.

There is a local derby in the Premier League today as Bournemouth take on Southampton.  Bournemouth have done a fantastic job to get into the upper echelons of the sport especially with such a small ground...this should certainly make for an interesting match.  The big match of the day is Manchester City versus Arsenal and you can get 6/5 about City, I will be having a bit of that.  Kick-off is at 4pm. QPR take on Aston Villa at noon and I could be tempted by the 5/2 about QPR - surely they have to start winning at some point?!  Villa are only four places above them so the value lies with QPR.

*****

What is worse than biting into an apple and seeing a worm?  Biting into an apple and seeing only half a worm!  Keep smiling...

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