Michael Owen Racing Pundit?

There is a very good article in today's Racing Post about footballer Michael Owen, who is the joint founder of Manor House Stables from where trainer Tom Dascombe sent out two Royal Ascot winners last week.  Owen owned and bred facile winner Brown Panther himself and he is clearly very knowledgable about the sport - there was the suggestion from some that he would make a good addition to the Channel 4 Racing team in an effort to broaden the sports popularity and that view is backed up by the Post.  The only trouble is, I thought that Michael Owen had just signed another contract with Manchester United - does that not mean that he will be quite busy of a Saturday afternoon?  Maybe his racing mad manager will give him a few Saturday's off?!

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There has long been an adage that jockeys make the worst tipsters and this was borne out to some extent when former jockey (and now assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies) Carl Llewellyn appeared on Attheraces.  He told viewers that Riddleofthesands should go close under jockey Sam Twiston-Davies - predictably the horse finished last before young Sam went on to score on his next two mounts!  It's not as easy as I make it look to pick winners!

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There is a great picture of David in his cricketing whites in today's Racing Post.  I suppose at least he looks like a cricketer (even if he doesn't play like one!) - the photo was taken at Rodi Greene's recent testimonial cricket match at Cullompton Cricket Club.  Around £9,000 was raised on the evening.

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Can you imagine starting a new job that you are only 9/4 to complete your three year contract?...it wouldn't exactly fill you with confidence!  Talking of silly odds, I notice that Chelsea are only 12/1 with William Hill to remain unbeaten throughout the entire season.  Do people really put money on at these sort of prices?

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We have a couple of runners at Ffos Las this afternoon and David managed to get some pictures of them in action on the gallops earlier in the week.  Horsford participates in the staying handicap chase, while Degenerate bids to go one better in the closing bumper.

  
Above left: (l-r) Grand Exit and Horsford, and right: Degenerate on the gallops