Martial Law At Ascot

With five meetings of flat action taking place this afternoon, the stable has one runner, Martial Law at Ascot.  A useful winning hurdler since joining us at Pond House, he makes his first start for us on the level and will be partnered by young Willie Twiston-Davies who has been among the winners lately and is excellent value for his 7lbs claim.  Our six year old is very well travelled having started his career on the flat in France before resuming his career in Australia - I bet it took some acclimatising when he came to England last year!  The other meetings taking part this afternoon are at Haydock, Nottingham, Newmarket and Pontefract.

Paul Hanagan is riding the quest of a wave at present and while jockeys are in such a rich vein of form, it often pays to keep following.  Hanagan, who has been champion flat jockey for the past couple of seasons recorded a four-timer at Hamilton yesterday with three of those coming for his former boss Richard Fahey.  Talking of yesterday's action at Hamilton yesterday, I see that trainer Eric Alston says that his Lord Franklin (who won the ladies' handicap) will win again at Ayr on Monday so there's a tip for you...mind you, some of these trainers are terrible tipsters!

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I was watching the first day of the Open Golf Championship yesterday and it was amazing watching Phil Mickelson trying to escape the rough at Lytham.  In the end he had to take an unplayable lie and take a penalty - he finished up shooting a 3 over par 73 which is 9 shots behind the lead.  Meanwhile Rory McIlroy hit a spectator smack on the head with a ball...he ended up giving the lucky (or unlucky?) person a signed golf glove - it would have been better if it had been a crash helmet!

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On the football front England take on Brazil in a warm-up friendly before the Olympics start - it's a bit of a funny one as England don't actually have an Olympic side.  The British team are 9/1 fourth favourites for the gold medal, while Brazil are a 7/4 chance.  The Brazilians have a very strong team and the 7/4 could be well worth a bet.

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The Tour de France concludes this weekend and if Bradley Wiggins succeeds it will certainly liven up the Sports Personality of the Year market.  Andy Murray had looked a good thing after his Wimbledon Final appearance, but if Wiggins can hold on he would certainly get my vote.