Withdrawal Symptoms!

Another day without any jumps and once again I am getting withdrawal symptoms!  Nevermind, there are five meetings taking place this afternoon and the good news is that the action comes from Ascot, Newmarket York, Chester and Chepstow.  The big race of the day is the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket at 3.35pm.  It is a 1m contest for fillies' and mares' and the best of the classic generation take on the older horses.  Mother Earth was very good in the 1,000 Guineas back in May, but there looked to be no fluke about Alcohol Free's success at Royal Ascot and she may well have improved past those that were in front of her that day.  She looks a worthy favourite to me under champion jockey Oisin Murphy.

Sir Ron Priestley ran out a brave winner of the big race at Newmarket yesterday, The Prince of Wales's Stakes, holding off odds-on favourite Al Aasy in an exciting finish.  It wasn't all joy in the winners' enclosure however as trainer Mark Johnston revealed that his Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist had met with a setback which is likely to keep him off the track for at least twelve months.

As I say, I am missing the jumps racing very much, but fear not, there is some action this weekend and we declare this morning for Stratford on Sunday where the Pond House team are likely to have runners.

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I see that UEFA have charged England following the laser pen incident during England's semi-final clash with Denmark.  A laser pen was shone at Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as he faced Harry Kane's penalty during extra time.  The FA and UEFA searched for the culprit without success.  Whilst a disgraceful act, the Danes did not wish to take it any further and therefore it seems a trifle heavy handed that 'England' should be charged, especially as they couldn't find the person responsible!

It is mens' semi-finals day at Wimbledon and Novak Djokovic faces Dennis Shapovalov for a place in Sunday's final.  He has a 6-0 winning record against his opponent and is bidding for a 20th Grand Slam title which will see him draw level with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in what is a golden age for the game.  Meanwhile, world number one, Ashleigh Barty will face Ka Pliskova in the final of the ladies event tomorrow.

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 A man was asked for his secret to a long lasting marriage.
"Well, I took my wife to Italy on our honeymoon."
"So what are you guys doing for your 20th wedding anniversary?"
"I'm going back to get her."