Quiet Wednesday!

There are no runners for the team today but there is jumps racing at Haydock and Market Rasen. There is an all-weather flat fixture at Southwell while there is a blank day all round for racing in Ireland.  At the time of writing I see that Harry Cobden leads Sean Bowen in the jumps jockeys title race by thirteen winners and while Harry has no rides today, Sean looks to have three good chances.

Unfortunately we were unable to help Harry have any winners at Exeter Yesterday.  Mr Tambourine Man didn’t enjoy the soft conditions but Harry wasn’t too downbeat about his future when the ground dries up a little.  Paricolor should have enjoyed the soft/heavy going and travelled well but then weakened as the runners turned for home.  He seems fine in himself but we know that is not his true running and he is better than that.

While I knew the jockeys championship race was close and talked about a lot, I did not realise how things stood in the trainers championship.  After a great week at Cheltenham, Dan Skelton now leads former boss Paul Nicholls.  Paul has had the most winners (109 to 101) but because this title is decided on prize money, Dan has just over a £60,000 lead in this race.  It has been close rivalry between Mr Henderson and Mr Nicholls in recent years but with the Henderson horses currently a bit under a cloud it is now a different rival trying to take his crown.  This adds extra spice to the concluding few weeks of the season and I wouldn’t like to say which way it will go, both will be pretty determined and have the horse firepower to make it a good battle.

I read yesterday also that there is likely to be a raise in the Grand National weights with Hewick likely to head for the Aintree Bowl rather than the National itself.  The Shark Hanlon trained King George winner was taken out of the Gold Cup last week when the ground turned soft and if he defects from the race the weights go up three pounds and the new top weight will be the Gordon Elliott trained Conflated.  

While there are no Premier League football matches this week due to the International break, I was delighted to hear that Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo has been called up to the England first team for the two upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.  The 18 year old has been so impressive since he has become a regular in the first team and he is a very exciting player who I have enjoyed watching.  While England have a strong midfield already this lad alongside Jude Bellingham would be amazing in my eyes!

I went for an interview at IKEA.

The manager greeted me by saying, “come in, make a seat”!

Have a great Wednesday!