Sunday Show Jumping

There are two flat meetings today at Nottingham and Thirsk plus a jumps meeting at Fakenham but the stable does not have any runners.  In Ireland they race over jumps at Kilbeggan and on the flat at Listowel.  There are very few runners on the Fakenham card which is not a good look for racing once again, with the maximum field size of any race being five.  The big races of the day come from France at Auteuil with several Group races with the particular highlight being the Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club Group 1 at 3.30pm over 1m2f.  Constitution River is the favourite for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore after his win at Chester last time and it looks like he will take all the beating but he does have a wide draw to overcome.  There are 16 runners and a high class field, and I will also be cheering on Oxagon for the John and Thady Gosden team.  Myself and Jack Pipe met Willie Walsh at the stable staff golf day during the week and he looks after this colt who will be ridden by Oisin Murphy.  He was hoping that Constitution River was not going to be declared but he was very much looking forward to his first trip to France so I hope he is having a good time and the horse runs well!

There was supposed to be point to point racing at Bratton Down today, their third and final meeting of the season at the track but unfortunately it was abandoned earlier in the week.  The going at the course for the meeting last weekend was quick and there were very few runners and with the inability to water and no rain in the forecast the decision was made early in the week to abandon and you cannot blame them for doing this.  There is now just Umberleigh left next weekend to bring the curtain down on the season.  With rain in the forecast that gives hope of it going ahead and I just hope some people have kept their horses in training for one final run of the season.

If you are looking for something to do today, you may wish to head to Bicton today.  They have been hosting International eventing in recent days and that finishes today and they have a host of other events taking place which includes the Jock and Junior show jumping competition organised and run in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.  I am not entirely sure of the format for today but the action gets underway at 12.30pm and I know there are several top local jockeys taking part.  There is also a Shetland Grand National and other things going on involving horses and dogs so it might be worth a visit if you have no other plans.   

Football is now in the build up to the World Cup this summer and there are plenty of International friendly matches today though none of the home nations are in action.  There are also plenty of Vitality Blast cricket matches being played today and Exeter Chiefs are in Premiership rugby action away at Leicester at 3.30pm.  The French Open tennis also continues.

How do you spell candy only using two letters?

C and Y.

Have a lovely Sunday.