Art Lands Four Timer!

I thought that American Art produced a good performance to score at Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon and in the process complete a four-timer.  He was left clear when Den Maschine fell at the last when upsides (it was a nasty looking fall but fortunately the horse eventually got up having lay stricken for some time) but personally I think that American Art would have just prevailed even if his rival hadn't hit the deck.  In the post-race interview Conor said that he would have won anyway - I guess that is the confidence of youth!  Anyway he clearly has a good rapport with the horse and the partnership are now unbeaten in four starts.

American Art (C O'Farrell) completes a four-timer

I thought that American Art produced a good performance to score at Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon and in the process complete a four-timer.  He was left clear when Den Maschine fell at the last when upsides (it was a nasty looking fall but fortunately the horse eventually got up having lay stricken for some time) but personally I think that American Art would have just prevailed even if his rival hadn't hit the deck.  In the post-race interview Conor said that he would have won anyway - I guess that is the confidence of youth!  Anyway he clearly has a good rapport with the horse and the partnership are now unbeaten in four starts.

Looking to this afternoon, we have three runners in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket - Big Occasion, Beyond and Tasheba.  Our runners are drawn across the track in 34, 3 and 19 respectively so if there is any draw bias (I know, hard to believe in a 2m2 1/2f flat handicap with only one bend!) hopefully at least one of them will be in a position to take advantage.  Mamlook finished third and second for David in 2008 and 2009 and he will be hoping to improve on that record today and emulate his father who won it in 2000 and 2002 with Heros Fatal and Miss Fara.  It looks to be a very open contest as usual and we will be hoping for the best.

African Broadway is our only runner at Chepstow this afternoon as he makes his hurdling debut.  He showed promise in Irish point-to-points and put up an impressive performance on his Pond House debut when bolting up in a Newbury bumper at 50/1 - I doubt he will go off at those sort of odds today!

*****

What about England last night?  A 2-2 draw with Montenegro was good enough to put England through to the next stage of Euro 2012 - even so, England were dreadful.  Rooney was sent off for kicking one of the oponents in the back of his leg - what was he thinking about?  With the trouble currently surrounding his father and uncle I don't think that he should have been playing - his head clearly wasn't in the right place.  I blame Capello and the sooner his contract is up the better.  Parker and Barry are too defensive - you can count on one finger (!) the number of shots they had...we need a skilfull midfielder who can create chances and be more attacking.  I give England zero chance of winning Euro 2012...I sound like Mr Angry again!