Musselburgh's Bumper Crowd

Personally I don't think that enough is being done to promote racing to potential new race-goers.  We are enjoying a golden age of flat racing with the likes of Frankel doing wonders for ticket sales wherever he runs.  However, a superstar like him comes along once in a lifetime and once he has finished his career, which is likely after Ascot next month, the courses need to think of other ways to keep the crowds coming back for more.  I have long advocated free entry for under 18's and more concessions for people from other age groups, but Musselburgh went one better than that yesterday by offering free admittance to people applying on-line.  They were rewarded with 5,156 racegoers as compared to last year's corresponding fixture where only 866 people paid to get in.  I wonder, of those 5,156 people, how many of them spent money once inside the track - surely it has to be worth the racecourses while?  It's about time that some of the other tracks offered such forward thinking ideas.

Today there are just three flat meetigs taking place at Thirsk, Yarmouth and Folkestone.  Interestingly trainer Mark Johnston has runners at Folkestone and that could be significant as it is an awfully long way away from where he trains.

I see that Harry Redknapp had a nice win yesterday...and no, I am not talking about football!  'Arry's horse, Moviesta won with a bit in hand on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.  He opened at 10/11 and was well supported into an S.P. of 8/11 - I wonder if it was Harry's millions that shortened the price up?!

While we are on the subject of football I see that it is Peter Shilton's 63rd birthday today.  Peter used to own the likes of Wingspan and Catch The Cross with Martin years ago.  For the younger readers, you may remember him as England's goalkeeper when Maradonna scored the goal in the World Cup that he claimed was "the hand of God".  In fact, Maradonna punched the ball into the net and the referee didn't see it.

There was an incident last night in the Everton game where the referee disallowed a goal that was clearly over the line - it is about time that they started using the technology available to them to help the referees out.

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There should be an interesting cricket match between England and Afghanistan.  I didn't think there was an awful lot of grass in Afghanistan so it will be interesting to see what standard they play at.  It will also be interesting to see Malinga's bowling action for Sri Lanka.

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There are only five days until the next jump racing action at Plumpton and Uttoxeter on Sunday.  David has entries at both meetings and I will bring you news of running plans as I hear of them.