Of the Flat season. Summer Mondays mean Windsor. But done and dusted for this year, and a long winter to get through before we are Thameside again. Unless we take in one of their National Hunt fixtures…
Which would be fun. Decades since I have been jump racing at Windsor. I vividly remember standing by the last fence and witnessing the very rare sight of Johnny Francome hitting the turf when clear on the favourite…
A quieter week on the runners front for us…
That time of year when packs and cards get shuffled. Some headed off to grassy paddocks for a “spell” before the winter weather takes grip. Talk of El Nino bubbling under. What exactly will that mean ?? Very very wet to follow the hot hot hot that we have had this year…
Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe a fortnight away. Then plenty of two year old trials that will help to form ante post markets for next spring and beyond. Champions Day at Ascot. November Handicap at Donny. And then flat turf tracks will be mothballed until the spring…
It only seems like yesterday that the Lincoln runners were streaming up Doncaster’s straight mile. Time and flying, and here we are amidst those “embers”….
Elsewhere, the two words that fill Barney Baker with dread…
“International Break….”
Arsenal smashed up by Brighton. City top of the league…
At lower levels, QPR were down to 10 men and 2-0 down at half time. But salvaging a point with a stellar Paul Smyth strike in the final minute. Smytheeeeeeee…..!!!!
A great friend suggested that we go to Cirencester on Saturday to watch the drama of a FA Cup second qualifying round against Farnham Town. Runners prevented me from heading off to the wonderfully named Corinium Stadium. 2-2, replay back at Farnham. Chris, you had better come to the rather less glamorously named The Memorial Ground for the rematch…!!
The time of year, with Arc looming, that I trot this one out again. But no apologies for repetition. Right up there as one of the greatest races that I was lucky enough to watch live….
Pat Eddery taking a pull at the top of the home straight…
