Hats Off To Stratford

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Brighton, Chepstow and Hamilton as well as a jumps card from Stratford.  David does not have any runners today although stable jockey Tom Scudamore heads off to Stratford where he has picked up a few outside ride.  Hats off to Stratford who have come up with some decent prize money for a Tuesday summer fixture, the £10,000 handicap chase heading the list.

There was a seller on the level at Wolverhampton yesterday.  The trouble with that is none of the runners will stay two miles over timber so no jumps trainers will take a chance on any of them.  As I keep saying, we need more sellers and claimers over 1m2f or 1m4f - you would get more runners and the course would make money too from the subsequent claims or auction.

It was good to see Hayley Turner back with a winner yesterday for Michael Bell as she warmed-up for the lady jockeys' world championship in Sweden.  She was successful aboard Flying Sparkle and the two year old filly absolutely bolted up and looks quite useful - it would have done Hayley's confidence no harm either.

I was saddened to see that one of MCP's former owners Bob Blumberg has passed away at the age of 70.  For quite a few years Bob lived in Marbella and was a fearless gambler.  Racing needs more characters like Bob.

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If Andy Murray were a horse he would have been withdrawn before the start by the racecourse vet.  He did win in three straight sets yesterday but he did look to be walking a little lame to me.  He says he is okay so we will see.  The big shock of the opening day came when fifth seed Stan Wawrinka was knocked out by Russian Danill Medvedev in four sets.

I see Nigeria have bid to stage Anthony Joshua's heavyweight rematch with Vladimir Klitschko so it could be the second rumble in the jungle.  Let's hope it is as good as the first one!

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Twice a week Mrs Barnes and I go out for a nice relaxing meal.  She goes on Mondays and I go on Fridays!  Have a nice day...

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