Rain Rain Go Away!

The stable's runners continued to perform well right until the end of the season, with both Arab League and Dan Breen running creditably at Sandown on Saturday without quite managing to get their heads in front.  Arab League finished a close second to Gibb River under young Frank Hayes, while Dan Breen finished third in the Grade 2 chase behind a couple of 160-rated rivals - let's hope that the official handicapper does not take the form too literally!  Both horses are owned by Stuart Mercer (the one with the flambouyant ties!) who is a great character and has had horses with us for years.

The stable's runners continued to perform well right until the end of the season, with both Arab League and Dan Breen running creditably at Sandown on Saturday without quite managing to get their heads in front.  Arab League finished a close second to Gibb River under young Frank Hayes, while Dan Breen finished third in the Grade 2 chase behind a couple of 160-rated rivals - let's hope that the official handicapper does not take the form too literally!  Both horses are owned by Stuart Mercer (the one with the flambouyant ties!) who is a great character and has had horses with us for years.

The scene across the yard at Pond House this morning!

We have no runners this afternoon (hardly surprising given that there is no racing taking place on the turf).  In fact, following the abandonment of Windsor this morning, all we are left with is a couple of all-weather meetings at Kempton and Wolverhampton.  When will this weather come to an end?  We had 9mm of rain last April, yet this April we have had over 156mm (more than 20mm of it coming last night alone!).  The stupid thing is that we still have drought warnings and hosepipe bans in various parts of the country!

*****

It would appear that the FA are going to take the safe route with the next England manager and appoint Roy Hodgson.  While it is fair to say that Hodgson has done an excellent job since joining West Brom from Liverpool I am not sure that he will inspie the England team.  He will fit in with the FA's system - he seems to be very much a yes man, but I would still have preferred to see Harry Redknapp as manager.  I don't think he was ever really in line for the job which is a shame as Harry is a real people person who would have managed to get his players working for him.

There is a big game on tonight as Manchester City take on Manchester Utd in what appears to be the title decider.  I think that I would take the 5/4 about City because of their incredible home record (they have take 77 of a possible 81 points from their last 27 games at home)...sorry Eddie and Tony!