Sunday Jottings

It is a quieter day on the racing front and there is just the one jumps meeting at Ludlow but the stable does not have any runners.  There was due to be a second jumps card at Plumpton but that meeting was abandoned during the week because of a case of equine flu at a livery yard that is very close to the track.  The case is in an unvaccinated non-thoroughbred horse but the risk was deemed too big for racing to go ahead.  This was due to be Plumpton's last meeting before it takes a summer break so there will not be any racing there now for a little bit.  The BHA keep informing us of an increase of reported cases of equine flu in Britain at the moment but these have all been in non-thoroughbreds so far but they are asking everyone to be extra vigilant.  It was back in 2019 that racing was affected by an outbreak of equine flu which is very serious and since then all racehorses have to be vaccinated twice a year.  Fingers crossed the stringent vaccination process in racing can prevent anything spreading into our world but it seems wise to take unnecessary risks, like with abandoning Plumpton today. 

There is some good flat action in Ireland at Leopardstown today including the Group 2 Derby Trial stakes at 3.40pm.  It is only a five runner field and it is an all family O'Brien affair.  Three of the runners are trained by Aidan, one by Donnacha and the other by Joseph! Aidan's Pierre Bonnard is favourite and looks like he should take all the beating.  There is jumps racing at Cork this afternoon with plenty of runners throughout while there is also a good flat card in France at Longchamp.  Their are several Group races and plenty of British and Irish trainers are represented.  The feature Group 1 contest is the 3.50pm races for colts over a mile.  William Buick and Ryan Moore look to have a good chance of winning.

There is point to point action at Upcott Cross in Devon this afternoon and it is well worth going if you haven't any plans, it is one of my favourite point to point racecourses.  It is a fair galloping track and the team in charge do a good job of watering when necessary so there should be some decent ground and good racing.  The first race is at 2pm.

There are four Premiership matches this afternoon, three of them kicking off at 2pm in which Burnley are at home to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace host Everton and Newcastle are away at Nottingham Forrest.  All eyes will be on the 4.30pm game however with its importance at both end of the table.  West Ham are at home to Arsenal and both teams need the three points, the Hammers to help survive in the Premiership, the Gunners to try and secure the league title.  It should be a great match.

In the rugby Premiership today, Exeter Chiefs are at home to Bath at 3.30pm.

My husband said he's leave my if I didn't stop with the photography puns...

I said, "snap out of it, don't be so negative.  Let's see how things develop!"

His face was a picture...

He left in a flash!