Fingers Crossed for Newton!

              Decoy (nearside)

Today there are four flat cards at Chester, Bath, Sandown and Beverley plus a jumps card at Market Rasen.  Sadly, Newton Abbot had to call off there meeting today due to a waterlogged track but as I mentioned yesterday they are hoping to race tomorrow, there second day of there usual two day Summer Festival.  They have moved the big handicap chase from today over to tomorrows card which is fantastic.  The course does have to pass a 10am inspection this morning for racing to go ahead tomorrow but it was dry yesterday and so far today so fingers crossed the meeting gets the go ahead.  To these smaller tracks when they lose a meeting in the summer it is a big hit as it costs them a lot of money.  The Newton Abbot racecourse is surrounded by a river which is tidal and this effects the water leveks which is why it can often be very wet at the Devon track.  Let's hope the meeting goes ahead as there is sure to be a bumper crowd and if you are in the area it will certainly be worth going along for a good day out.  David has eight intended runners and I will talk more about them tomorrow but Decoy will contest the big handicap hurdle of the day.  He is one of four runners for David in the race and was a winner at Worcester on his latest start.  He will be partnered by Tom Scudamore.

There was a great display from the Red Arrows yesterday in Dartmouth.  Some of their flying tricks are quite unbelievable and on even the pilots said that Dartmouth is one of the best places that they like performing.  They disappear over the hills and suddenly reappear coming up the river Dart.  25,000 people turned up to watch and I should know as I was in the traffic jam!

In the football there was a lot of panic buring and loaning players at the ebnd of the transfer window yesterday.  Andy Carroll has gone on loan to my team West Ham!  Manager Big Sam likes these types of players where you can play a high ball down the middle for Cole or Carroll to get their head on but these won't please the Hammers fans who have been brought up on football!

In the tennis, at the US Open Laura Robson has become the first Brit to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for 14 years.  She has had two good wins in America and she is still only 18 years old so best of luck to Laura in the next round.

In the cricket, England win a test, limited overs against South Africa, you did hear it right!  Have a nice day.