2,000 Guineas Day

There are plenty of meetings taking place this afternoon with four flat meetings at Newmarket, Doncaster, Goodwood and Thirsk as well as two jumps cards at Uttoxeter and Hexham.  We have one runner, Decoy taking part in Uttoxeter's 4.10pm race.  He was successful at Cheltenham earlier in the season but has a couple of disappointing runs to overcome.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.

Above: Decoy wins at Cheltenham 's Open Meeting in November

There are plenty of meetings taking place this afternoon with four flat meetings at Newmarket, Doncaster, Goodwood and Thirsk as well as two jumps cards at Uttoxeter and Hexham.  We have one runner, Decoy taking part in Uttoxeter's 4.10pm race.  He was successful at Cheltenham earlier in the season but has a couple of disappointing runs to overcome.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle.

I can't believe that on the flat the Classics are upon us already.  Today is 2,000 Guineas day at Newmarket and I guess we will find out if Camelot is the wonder horse that he looked last year.  There have been plenty of rumours circulating about the favourite and his ability to handle the rain-softened ground - it would seem to be that Ladbrokes have someone in the know as they are much shorter about Camelot at 11/8 than some of their competitors.  We will find out who is right at 3.10pm this afternoon ast the eighteen runners line up.

I have been very impressed with Graham Lee since switching codes from riding over jumps to the flat.  He rode another winner yesterday aboard Staff Sergeant who made all at Musselburgh.  Not only does he look strong, he looks stylish to boot and will surely go on to greater things on the level.

There is plenty of point-to-point action on this weekend with a meeting this afternoon at Flete Park (about ten miles east of Plymouth) where Hadden Frost's sister Bryony takes in the four mile ladies' race aboard Wee Fly, while tomorrow there is action from Holnicote near Minehead where dual Cheltenham Festival winner My Way de Solzen is among the entries in the 4.40pm.

*****

It's FA Cup Final day and Chelsea take on Liverpool.  The two sides have had relatively disappointing campaigns in the Premiership this season, so there is plenty for them to play for (even though Chelsea are through to the final of the Champions League).  Chelsea at 8/5 look the most likely winners to me as I am still far from sure about Kenny Dalglish.

The Hammers are only 8/11 to win the second leg of of their play-off match with Cardiff.  West Ham won the first leg 2-0 away from home and with Cardiff needing to score, it could leave them open and vulnerable at the back.  I'm predicting a win for West Ham, although as I'm sure you are all aware by now, I am a big fan!