Flat And Jumps!

It looks like being a busy day for the yard with five runners over the sticks at Worcester this afternoon, while we also have a rare flat runner at Newmarket.  Tom Scudamore is aboard Kusadasi, Qulinton and Martial Law at Worcester, while young Tom Bellamy gets the leg-up aboard Swing Bill and Midnight Tuesday (pictured above).  We look to have a few decent chances today, not least Martial Law, who was arguably one of the unluckiest losers of the season so far when coming to grief at the last at Ffos Las with his race in safe-keeping.  He has to contend with an 11lbs higher mark this afternoon but can hopefully still be competitive and gain some compensation for owner Stuart Mercer.  Stuart won't know where to look as over at Newmarket his Arab League, who had such a great spell over hurdles last term runs on the level - Neil Callan is a positive jockey booking.

Our runner at Market Rasen yesterday, Diamond's Return ran creditably when finishing a close second under Conor O'Farrell.  The ground may have been a little softer than ideal, but he certainly appeared to bump into a bit of a tartar in Greyfriars Drummer.  While a mark of 111 may be a little on the high side, there is no reason to think that Diamond's Return won't continue to be competitive in such races.

Talking of handicaps, I would love to hear the handicapper explain how he put a horse called Harry's Whim up by 32lbs for winning at Wetherby recently.  While there didn't seem to be any semblance of a fluke about his success, he was a 50/1 chance when scoring and was subsequently beaten yesterday from his old mark of 71.  What I would like to know is...if he can't win from 71 - what chance does he have of winning from 103?!  Connections might as well take the horse out of training.

*****

I know it sounds like I am talking through my pocket (and maybe I am a little!), but how on earth did Poland only manage to draw last night against Greece?  I will be trying to get it back on Germany (6/5) and Holland (7/10) tonight.  Germany have to keep Ronaldo quiet, but they are normally well organised and will probably man mark the Portuguese playboy.