Busy Weekend Ahead

The stable runners performed creditably without quite getting their heads in front at Ascot and Haydock yesterday, in fact we had a second, two thirds and a fourth.  The drop back to two miles proved to be the undoing of Decoy, while Piraya and Swing Bill also performed well in the handicap chases under big weights.

It would be great to fare a little better with our runners this afternoon - Lough Derg, Dan Breen & I'msingingtheblues go at Ascot and Buena Vista, Dynaste and Tamarinbleu run at Haydock.  It is a cracking day's action with Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run making his seasonal debut in the Betfair Chase and if ever he is going to get beaten, it could be on his seasonal reappearance - I can't imagine that he would be fully wound-up at this stage of the season and the big bookies Ladbrokes and Hills are offering odds-against him this afternoon.

I see that A P McCoy took a crashing fall from Tornado Bob at Haydock yesterday afternoon.  He did lie motionless on the ground for a while before eventually getting to his feet and walking off.  In fact he rode the very next winner, Molotof - these jockey's really are made of tough stuff.  If good ex-flat performer Joe Mac had jumped the last cleanly he might well have won and he certainly looks to be a winner waiting to happen.

*****

I will be having my usual little punt on the football this weekend and the one's that appeal are Southampton to beat Brighton (8/15) and Tottenham to beat Aston Villa on Monday at 6/10.