Playing catch-up

A few days away and I've completely lost touch...

The current big betting story centres around allegations in today's News of the World that Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammed Asif bowled three no-balls at pre-determined, specified points in test match play on Thursday and Friday. William Hill representative Graham Sharpe, speaking on Radio Five Live this morning, indicated that punters would struggle to strike bets of this nature with his firm.

I missed the first of Martin Clunes' two part series, Horsepower; apprently tonight's second episode (ITV1 21:00) starts with a visit to racecourses in England and Italy.

While away I did manage to catch small snippets from the two most recently broadcast editions of The Morning Line. Am I just getting too old and cynical? Perhaps so, but I did feel Nick Luck's fawning over firstly Jeremy Kyle before Sandown's Variety Club Day and then Guy Harwood and Amanda Perrett before Saturday's Goodwood Celebration Mile meeting left a bit of a taste...

Two quick points noted on recent travels - firstly Sanquhar in south west Scotland celebrated 100 years of the riding of the marches on August 18th 2010. Secondly, one of the halls of residence of Durham University has been built on the site of a house that once belonged to John Gully, an English sportsman and former MP for Pontefract. Appearently in 1827 Mr Gully lost £40,000 when backing his Mameluke to win the St. Leger but happier times followed in 1832 when he had a share of £85,000, his St Giles, part owned with Robert Ridsdale, winning the Derby and Margrave the St Leger. Wikipedia records 'Gully was twice married and had twelve children by each wife.'

With the jumps season on the horizon trainer Philip Hobbs had a word for a couple in an article in today's Racing Post - Captain Chris and Tarablaze were mentioned, as was Qroktou who has apparently strengthened up nicely.

Finally, a football note to finish on. As a lifelong fan of Wrexham FC (who now languish near the foot of the Blue Square Bet Premiership) I can't help but wonder why ITV employ our current manager Mr Dean Saunders (also known in our house as 'Pearl & Dean' and 'The Colonel') to pass comment on European games involving clubs such as Liverpool and Aston Villa while closer to home Mr Saunders presides over Wrexham defeats at places such as Forest Green Rovers and Eastbourne Borough. Perhaps he's lining up his next job...