FA CUP FINAL WEEKEND. SATURDAY [30th MAY 2015]

ARSENAL 4 - 0 ASTON VILLA [F/T]
Walcott (40), 
Sánchez (50), 
Mertesacker (62)
Giroud (90)

Kick Off 5:30pm Live on BBC1

The greatest domestic cup competition in the world gets the full treatment from the BBC this weekend as we turn back the clock to how the day used to be ... even though the kick off is 5:30pm and not 3pm where it should be. 

If you can remember when there was life before the Premier League and the FA Cup was THE final game of the season it used to go on all day, Mastermind, Question of Sport, watching the buses head to the old stadium...

I know things change and we've moved on but it's good to make it a special day and this year we kick off at 12:10 with Football Focus and that's followed by another Gary Lineker show (he must be on overtime rates) this one features people who were made famous by the competition and includes the likes of AFC Wimbledon who this year played Liverpool in the 3rd round a repeat of the 1988 Cup Final (shame the result didn't match though). 

A Top of the Pops special follows and that'll have the best (and the worst) FA Cup songs, so basically 25 mins of Chas and Dave and maybe a bit of Gazza if you are lucky.

Pointless Celebrities is the name of the next show and from the title I guess that Robbie Savage will be involved. And from about half three it's the build up to the big match. Enough time to get the pizza's sorted, open a beer, put the cat out, banish the kids to the in-laws and hide the remote control. 

Arsenal Team News;

SCZCESNY

BELLERIN   MERTESACKER   MONREAL   KOSCIELNY

COQUELIN   CAZORLA   RAMSEY   OZIL   SÁNCHEZ

WALCOTT

SUBS -- OSPINA, GIBBS, GABRIEL, FLAMINI, WILSHIRE, OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, GIROUD


Aston Villa Team News;

GIVEN

HUTTON   VLAAR   OKORE   RICHARDSON

WESTWOOD   DELPH   CLEVERLEY   GREALISH 

N'ZOGBIA

BENTEKE.

SUBS -- GUZAN, BACUNA, SINCLAIR, AGBONLAHOR, COLE, SANCHEZ, BAKER


My best bets are 1-0 to the Arsenal at 13/2 but at a more fancy price you can have 12/1 about either team winning on penalties. I fancy a close game (which probably means it'll be 4-0 at half time) but it will depend on how adventurous Aston Villa are prepared to be. 

Latest Odds (from William Hill)

ARSENAL - 4/11   /  Draw - 3/1  /   ASTON VILLA - 11/2

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 27th MAY 2015

Back once again for our Wednesday night fare here at Kempton Park. Was fabulous to have a winning night last Wednesday to keep our profit margin from sliding further, and as such we will go into tonight's meeting with a healthy +38.47 profit to a 1pt level stake at SP.

Let's aim to be first past this post tonight again yeah...

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/27-05-2015/fast-cards


We've a 6 race card tonight with 5 handicaps to enjoy so we'll be racing under the lights from 6.40pm.


Onwards with our selections for tonight's handicaps;

18:40 - 1m Handicap (London Mile Qualifier) -- Already a winner of an earlier Qualifier here WINDY CITI is the first to go on the shortlist for this event, and will be paired with QUADRIGA [Non Runner] who has form on all the AW tracks and is given another chance to shine over 1m.
[Windy Citi 2nd 5/2].


19:40 - 7f Handicap -- A sixth in a recent big field Ascot handicap for BUCKLAND BEAU reads well when you add in the close second place here prior to that run. 

Has won around here too and the yard did take this race last year so have some idea what is required. Gets all the weight from the principles and priced about 12/1 which would be interesting. [3rd 7/1]


20:10 - 1m 3f Handicap (London Middle Distance Qualifier) -- With the Marco Botti yard in good order I will take his AABIR to strike in this event on his return to the AW (won at Wolves). Can see off the likely favourites PAROLE and DANNYDAY which means he could be a decent price. [4th 7/2]


20:40 - 6f Handicap -- Far too difficult to compare all these and there's no stand out selection, but if I was forced into a selection it would be to take the top / bottom and back both against the field of the prices allow (5/1+). 

That would give us SEARCHLIGHT [8th 9/1] and CLOCKMAKER [9th 25/1] against the field.


21:10 - 2m Handicap -- The finale is a 2m marathon event and sees a field of older horses trying the flat rather than summer jumping, but nothing of interest in those which will leave us with choice of three four year olds - FREDERIC CHOPIN, OPUS TOO, OAKBANK. 

Opus Too doesn't seem to have much form for this and we'll take him out of the equation too and we will go with OAKBANK under Cam Hardie and with all the weight concession received to go in at 14/1 forecast. [11th 16/1].

No success this week, couple of near misses but no cigar, losing 6pts tonight leaves us with a profit of +32.47

Have a good week.

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2015 TURF SEASON -- PART FOUR

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[FRIDAY EVENING 22nd May]

4th Meeting of the new season ... their first evening one.

Following the last meeting we are now standing at a figure of ... [-13pts], this can be wiped out with one decent return so are no too downbeat given the start we made last year we know it's possible to turn this around. All results for this meeting will be returned to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too. 

So lets have a look at the next meeting of the 2015 Season, our fourth, it's a six race evening card which will start at 6.30pm. The going is currently reported as 'Good to Firm', the course saw 30mm rain during the last week, but the forecast for this week is for dry, sunnier weather.

I would expect the going to be closer to Good ground assuming no further rain by Friday afternoon. Weather reports for Friday are for a fine sunny dry day so hope you there and enjoy it. 

Here are our selections for Friday evening;

6:30 1m 4yds Handicap 
BLUE MAISEY [10th 20/1]
QUINTA FEIRA [7th 5/1]

7:00 1m 4f 8yds Handicap 
NAKEETA [7th 14/1]
MODERNISM [WON 9/4F]

7:30 6f Conditions Stakes (2yo) 
TAKING LIBERTYS [WON  7/2]
SIR DUDLEY [5th 7/1]

8:00 6f Handicap 
YEEOOW [WON 3/1]
TEETOTAL [7th 12/1]

8:30 1m 2f 6yds Fillies Handicap
BITTERN [WON 11/8F]
SHIROCCO PASSION [4th 25/1]

9:00 5f Maiden
ROBOTIC [7th 20/1]
TOTALLY MAGIC [4th 28/1]

Four winners on the evening gives us a very small profit [+2.125] on the night and at least stops the decline for the time being. Our figures are now -10.875 down to level stakes at SP. 

The next meeting at Pontefract will take place on Monday 8th June and once again that is an evening fixture. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 20th MAY 2015

After a little bit of a break we are back for another Wednesday night at our favourite Sunbury course, yeah I know it's the only course in Sunbury. 

Still find ourselves in a small profit for this year with a current position of +27.47 to our 1pt level stake. We will be looking to improve this as well as utilising the better odds available in conjunction with BETFAIR (up over +40 pts). Will be backing in the place markets too but results will continue to be expressed by SP and to a level unit stake.

Let's aim to be first past this post tonight then yeah...

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/20-05-2015/fast-cards


We've a 7 race card tonight with 5 handicaps to enjoy so we'll be racing under the lights from 6.10pm. 


Onwards with our selections for tonight;


18:10 - 1m 3f Apprentice Handicap -- Has to be the in form THIRD STRIKE who has won his last four and three of those were for this apprentice. [8th 11/4].

19:40 - 1m 3f Handicap -- We had some success with THE GAY CAVALIER earlier in the year and it's worth another look after a couple of months off at a price around 16/1. [9th 16/1]

20:10 - 1m Handicap (London Mile Qualifier) -- The four year old SIGHORA is lightly raced and did win a maiden in December over course and distance so is put up as a selection priced around 8/1. [3rd 100/30]

The veteran OCEAN LEGEND has won over 7f here and is upped in class too but does get loads of weight, including the jockey's claim, and is race fit so might be able to get involved too. [7th 33/1].


20:40 - 7f Handicap -- Tricky handicap to call some out of form types start with the top weight HARDY BLACK who hasn't performed well since leaving Jamie Osborne's stable and will need to find plenty giving weight all round. 

ROYAL CAPER has been off the course for a good number of months but won a couple of races last summer at decent odds and if fit and ready has some form on this track over this trip so must enter calculations. [WON 16/1].


21:10 - 6f Handicap -- I hope that Timmy Murphy gets a good ride around here on JAY BEE BLUE but doesn't appear to have the form to win this. 

COMPTON PRINCE has had a couple of months off and does run well on the AW albeit places not wins and is overlooked tonight. 

So the finale can go to GHOST TRAIN with Hayley Turner on board. [2nd 6/1].



Right back to winning ways tonight with the fabulous ROYAL CAPER winning at 16s giving us a profit on the night of +11 points. 

That takes our profit up to +38.47 to a level stake at SP.

Don't miss our update for Pontefract evening meeting on Friday. Have a good week.

YORK RACES (YORKSHIRE CUP DAY) -- FRIDAY 15th MAY

We arrive for the final day of YORK Races Dante meeting and today features the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup over 1m 6f which will get underway at 3:15pm.



The going is currently described as Good as it has been all week and the all important weather is forecast for a max 11C predominantly dry, some cloud during three days of racing with breaks in the cloud on Friday.

Tickets are still available and priced £19 for Grandstand and £33 County Stand (Premier Enclosure).

A link to the race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/york/15-05-2015/fast-cards

Our selections for today's visit to the Knavesmire;

2.10 -- 5f Listed Fillies Stakes -- 11 2yo fillies are first up and only WHITE BULLET hasn't seen the racecourse before today. [3rd 11/1]

Of those to have raced it's Mark Johnston's DELIZIA who I'll side with but a race to watch and take notes of for future references for me. Good Winner!  [WON 11/2]


2.40 -- 1m 4f Handicap -- A field of 15 means we miss out on the 4th place and it's going to be a tricky contest to work out. First call is for Course and Distance winner OLD TOWN BOY [10th 11/1] is drawn 1 and has Graham Lee to get him bounced out and handy else might get swamped and boxed in.

Bottom weight AMBLESIDE [7th 16/1] has run admirably in defeat this term and could be another for Mick Easterby at a generous 16/1 forecast price.


3.15 -- 1m 6f YORKSHIRE CUP (Group 2) -- Only a small field for this year's renewal but does include one of the most popular stayers in racing the Tom Dascombe trained BROWN PANTHER [NAP]. [2nd 13/8F]

He does have to shoulder a penalty but really does seem the type to cope with that, and the biggest danger down the long home straight may well be Sir Michael Stoute's SNOW SKY.
[WON 5/2]


3.45 -- 1m Listed Fillies Stakes -- Plenty of winners in this field and hard to compare form for many though I did witness SPERRY [WON 7/2] winning at Ascot a couple of weeks ago and would be one I'd expect to go in again. 

The once raced YASMEEN won well at Newbury and could be anything and is also trained by John Gosden with Paul Hanagan on board to help her. [2nd 2/1F]


4.20 -- 5f Handicap (3yo) -- A field of 20 3yo's line up over the min trip and it's going to be a difficult call whether the draw will factor will they bunch down the centre or find traffic issues. 

The Easterby family do superbly at the Yorkshire tracks and I'll have Tim's DON'T TELL ANNIE [Non Runner] and Mick's AMONG ANGELS [6th 14/1] which will give me one drawn low and one drawn high against the field.


4.50 -- 7f Fillies Handicap -- A good field of 11 ladies here for their handicap event, headed by Richard Fahey's DUSKY QUEEN [WON 7/2] who will benefit from Sam Bell's 5lb claim. Samantha was on board when 2nd at Newbury and won here on her albeit a couple of years back. 

SUBTLE KNIFE won last week at Lingfield over a mile and reappears with a 6lb penalty, the bigger danger might be ISHIAMBER who was runner up at Salisbury recently in a very similar race and should go close again with a repeat showing. [4th 4/1]


5.20 -- 1m 4f Handicap (3yo) -- Good field of 12 for the final race of the Dante meeting, the filly YORKIDDING would be a popular winner I suppose and has a chance based on her staying on effort last time at Nottingham. [WON 5/2F]

I'll oppose her though with SHALABINA who won a Nottingham maiden beating a Godolphin inmate (North America) a short head but that pair were 12L clear of the rest of the field. [8th 10/1]


Results from Friday will appear here later. We're off to an excellent start with an impressive winner and the third in the opener. 2 further winners and the runners up as well albeit to small prices but more profit for the day with 3 races to go so all being well more to come. 

Lets hope this pattern continues today and the weekend ...

Hope you all have enjoyed a wonderful week ... and manage to get home safe and sound once you slept it off. 

YORK DANTE MEETING -- THURSDAY 14th MAY 2015

This week will see the final set of established trials for the Epsom Oaks and Derby as YORK host their May Dante meeting from Wednesday to Friday. Thursday features the big Derby trial itself the Group 2 Dante Stakes which will see the likes of Jack Hobbs, Elm Park and John F Kennedy and will be run at 3:15pm.

The going is currently described as Good and the all important weather is forecast for a max 13C predominantly dry, some cloud during three days of racing with breaks in the cloud on Wednesday and Friday. So therefore we should see 'Good' ground consistently during the whole meeting.

Tickets are £19 for Grandstand and £33 County Stand (Premier Enclosure).

A link to the race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/york/14-05-2015/fast-cards

Our selections for today's visit to the Dante meeting;

2.10 -- 5f Handicap -- A race that supports the wonderful work of Jack Berry so it's good to see a big competitive field for this 5f dash. 

Couple of veterans here with TANGERINE TREES and JUDGE N JURY [Non Runner] still winning races but the former might find top weight a factor against some of these, and I'll have a wager on the latter who has a good record here and in this race. 

Of the rest last years winner MONSIEUR JOE [4th 10/1] has Graham Lee to assist his attempt at a repeat, and those two look priced about 14/1 so will aim to back the pair to win/place.


2.40 -- 1m 2f 88yds Fillies Stakes (Group 2) -- Recent Newmarket winner BRAGGING [6th 15/8F] took another Group 2 contest and must be high on the short list in a strong competitive affair. Could be much better than this and still improving as a four year old. 

The older mares RIBBONS along with SECRET GESTURE would appear to hold the biggest claims to oppose the Khalid Abdullah filly. [3rd 6/1 and WON 7/2]


3.15 -- 1m 2f 88yds DANTE STAKES (Group 2) -- Today's feature event and it's a cracker if all eight stand their ground overnight, John Gosden runs two unbeaten colts GOLDEN HORN  and JACK HOBBS but they will need to improve again to be realistic Derby contenders and this trip might be as far as they really want to go. 

Never discount the Aiden O'Brien yard and he'll also saddle two, the one time Ante Post fav for the Derby JOHN F KENNEDY and OL' MAN RIVER who blotted his form by finishing last in the 2000 Guineas. 

So instead we will see how ELM PARK takes to this trip and will be right up there in the better for the Epsom classic having already won a Group 1 (Racing Post Trophy) in good style as a 2yo. [3rd 7/2]


3.45 -- 1m Listed Handicap -- Back to tricky handicaps now and this mile contest will suit top weight GABRIAL [4th 12/1] much better than the twists and turns over 2f further in a Chester Group 3 last week. Winner of this years Lincoln Handicap clearly on top of his game still and should go close if the draw (drawn 7) doesn't hinder things.

At a big price the David O'Meara charge BALDUCCI might appreciate this ground on his debut and the yard are going well so it's worth a look at around 33/1. [15th 25/1]


4.20 -- 1m Listed Stakes (3yo)  -- Both STRATH BURN [3rd 11/2] and FAST ACT [8th 16/1] were highly regarded at the start of this season but failed to show their previous form on their opening runs, they may well leave that running behind them and go in today but the more likely one for me is the Roger Charlton trained filly ZEB UN NISA who will also benefit from the allowance afforded to her. [4th 14/1]


4.50 -- 6f Maiden (2yo) -- Virtually nothing to go on here in the maiden event other than gallop reports and pedigree. 

Two against the field for placepot purposes if nothing else will be SIR ROGER MOORE [3rd 9/1] and the Richard Hannon trained ZEBADIAH. [7th 5/1] 


5.20 -- 2m 88yds Handicap -- The finale today is a stayers delight, it's a race that wasn't possible a few years ago but now we'll enjoy the likes of MOSCATO [NAP] looking to add to their recent record. 

A win at Ascot last week took his tally to 5 victories from the last 6 outings, and you oppose any inform Sir Mark Prescott horse at your peril. [2nd 15/8F]




Hope you all have a great week like the lovely racegoers have ... but try not to over do it eh.

YORK MAY MEETING -- WEDNESDAY 13th MAY 2015

This week will see the final set of established trials for the Epsom Oaks and Derby with YORK holding their May Dante meeting from Wednesday to Friday.

The going is currently described as Good and the all important weather is forecast for a max 13C predominantly dry, some cloud during three days of racing with breaks in the cloud on Wednesday and Friday. So therefore we should see 'Good' ground consistently during the whole meeting.

Tickets are £19 for Grandstand and £33 County Stand (Premier Enclosure). 

A link to the race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/york/13-05-2015/fast-cards


Our selections for today's visit to the Knavesmire;

2.10 -- 1m 2f 88y Handicap -- The HIGH draw is preferred so that does bode well for the lightly raced favourite MAHSOOB. [WON 11/4F] However 3/1 is no odds in a huge field and I'll favour EXAMINER [8th 14/1] who has run well here before and has has a recent run which has hopefully blown away the cobwebs a little is forecast 20/1 so good each way shout. 

2.40 -- 6f Handicap -- Taking the well drawn pair POLYBIUS [14th 14/1] and BOY IN THE BAR [2nd 9/1] here against the field the latter having had a decent run at Ascot in a similar race and repeat of that should see him get in the frame. 

3.15 -- 6f Duke of York Stakes (Group 2) -- Big field for the Group 2 where CASPAR NETSCHER [4th 25/1] is my call at a big price for the win/place bet. Wasn't far behind likely fav LIGHTNING MOON [7th 4/1F] in an Ascot Group 3 but that was on soft ground and should have the edge on race fitness too. 

3.45 -- 1m 2f 88y Musidora Stakes (Group 3) -- A small field of 5 for the Oaks trial where Aiden O'Brien is always to be feared and his TOGETHER FOREVER [NAP] [2nd 9/4] will be strong in the market with Ryan Moore the man in form. 


4.20 -- 7f Handicap (3yo)  -- KING TO BE [5th 7/1] and DARRINGTON [10th 11/1] are the two I will be focusing on and the former having won well at Goodwood should be up to this sort of improvement in his first handicap. Darrington has won at a mile and has more experience should still be effective at this slightly shorter trip.

4.50 -- 5f Novice Stakes (2yo) -- Just the four declared here and DHEBAN is the call in a race where all four have chances on various bits of form. 

5.20 -- 1m 4f Handicap -- And we end today with a 20 runner finale where bottom weight GABRIAL THE DUKE is of a lot of interest for the combination of Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan here in Yorkshire. His 5yo has already won 3 races this year and gets the trip well and with such a light weight could still be improving.

Results from Wednesday will appear here later.

Hope you all have a great week like the lovely racegoers have ... but try not to over do it eh. 

BRIGHTON RACES ABANDONED (WED 6th MAY)

This afternoon's meeting at Brighton was abandoned after only two races due to safety concerns brought about by high winds at the Sussex track. 

The weather can often cause issues here and it's not the first time that the meeting has succumbed to the elements, though it's usually been fog or squall coming in from the sea. 

An inspection took place before racing due to very high winds, but the jockeys were happy for the fixture to start. However, before the third race the matting which covers several roads which cross the course was lifting due to the strong gusts of wind.

"The mats we put down on Wilson Avenue, and to a lesser degree on the pull-ups, are being lifted by the wind," clerk of the course Ed Arkell explained.


"We could not be confident a gust of wind would not lift the mat while the race was going on after we had secured them. Safety has to come first, if anything happened and a horse came down we can't take that risk."

It is unlikely that racegoers will receive a refund since the racing did start on time. It will also mean a delay to the new career of Timmy Murphy, the Grand National winning jockey was going to have his first official rides on the flat in the final two races here today so will have to wait to see where he makes his debut in the near future.

WEDNESDAY 6th MAY -- BRIGHTON ROCKS (PART TWO).

Having had a decent day on Tuesday we are going to stay on the south coast for the second day of racing here at BRIGHTON. 

The going is currently Good (Good to soft in places) and the all important weather is forecast for a max 11C and cloudy with chance of light showers, this is nothing unusual for anyone that's been here before you can get sun, cloud, rain and fog all in the space of a few hours it's still good craic and a tidy albeit under resourced course where everything is accessible. 

Tickets are £11 for Grandstand and £16 Premier Enclosure. Accompanied children under 18 are admitted free.

A link to the race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/brighton/06-05-2015/fast-cards

Our selections for today's visit to the seaside meeting;

2.00 -- 5f 59y Maiden -- Just a small field for the opening maiden event and we'll look to the two newcomers for the winner here, that's COMEDY NIGHT [2nd 5/2] (Robert Cowell) and FIREGLOW [Non Runner] (M Johnston). 

2.30 -- 5f 213y Handicap -- This was won last year by CLEAR PRAISE and Simon Dow's gelding can win again off the same mark. If you factor in the 7lb claimer on board this year should be a good thing. The other course and distance winner BIRDIE QUEEN can follow him home. 

3.00 -- 1m 1f 209y Classified Stakes -- DUKE STREET runs consistently but could be better off in a handicap and this can go to ROCKIE ROAD the only course winner in the field. 

3.35 -- 1m 3f 196y Handicap -- A small field and a great opportunity for ROY ROCKET [NAP] to complete the hat trick. Receipt of a stone from top weight SANDY COVE and the selection won comfortably last time and due to go up in the weights again soon. 

4.10 -- 7f 214y Handicap -- Not a track you expect to see too many Godolphin runners and the fav SERENE BEAUTY can be opposed here. 

The one to oppose her with is the recent Beverley winner GORING. 

4.45 -- 6f 209y Handicap -- Decent field of 13 here and the Yarmouth winner VENUS MARINA can go well if fit enough to bounce out today. 

The pair I would fancy against the field are the top two, BORN TO FLY, JAY BEE BLUE. Might have a long losing run between them but that could be said for a lot of these and they have tumbled down the weights as a result. 

5.15 -- 5f 59y Handicap -- Just the six left in the finale today (Spider Lily an early absentee) with a number of Course and Distance winners in the field. WHITECREST is a standing dish around here and can be relied on to give her running and Cam Hardie is an excellent claimer to have.



Results from Wednesday will appear here later. 

Have a good week.

TUESDAY 5th MAY -- BRIGHTON ROCKS (A DAY AT THE RACES)

After the bank holiday it's time for a day out to the seaside and BRIGHTON races stage a seven race card on Tuesday. 

The going is currently Good to Firm (Good in places) and the all important weather is forecast for a max 14C and cloudy with chance of a shower, this is nothing unusual for anyone that's been here before you can get sun, cloud, rain and fog all in the space of a few hours it's still good craic and a tidy albeit under resourced course where everything is accessible. 

Tickets are £11 for Grandstand and £16 Premier Enclosure. Accompanied children under 18 are admitted free.

A link to the race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/brighton/05-05-2015/fast-cards

Selections for the seaside meeting;

2.20 -- 5f 213y Maiden -- The opening maiden can go to the well bred newcomer from Paul Cole's yard GENERAL POTEMPKIN [2nd 15/2]. Shouldn't need much to take this, don't think much of the form of those that have run so the likely bigger danger could be the other newcomer ONE MORE PUSEY [5th 9/1]. 

2.50 -- 5f 213y Handicap -- Another small field here only the 6 for the first handicap, the Richard Hannon trained CHEVALIER [WON 10/11F] remains a maiden but has been runner up four times and it will be a surprise if he can't go close here today in this company under Richard Hughes. 

3.20 -- 6f 209y Handicap -- Richard Hughes has a chance of a double here with top weight SARANGOO a winner last time out at Kempton. This course is a complete contrast but Hughes rides it better than most, the same could be said of George Baker who rides FREDDY WITH A Y [WON 9/4F] for Gary Moore but he's getting a bit frustrating with string of seconds. 

OCEAN LEGEND goes better on the All Weather so we'll look at MISTER MUSICMASTER for our selection. 

3.50 -- 7f 214y Handicap -- A better field of 10 here for this event both SIXTIES LOVE and FLIPPING are consistent over this trip but not experienced on this unique style of switchback track so we will look elsewhere. 

PICK A LITTLE [NAP] [WON 6/1] has good form here and should be included in place bets at least. 

4.20 -- 1m 1f 209y Fillies Handicap -- Looks a wide open event here and I fancy ELBERETH [2nd 6/1] for Andrew Balding who doesn't have that many runners here though has only run on the all weather to date so there's a lot of trust put on David Probert getting her settled early on. 

PUZZLE TIME has plenty of experience but hasn't had Richard Hughes on board before, nor run on ground better than Good to Soft so is passed over. 

4.50 -- 5f 59y Handicap -- Difficult to call this one although there are only 7 runners 5 of them have course winning form. The two getting weight from the rest are GINZAN [WON 3/1] and DREAMS OF GLORY are looking big in the markets and will look to back both against the field. 

If the price doesn't allow this we'll favour the bottom one (DREAMS OF GLORY).

5.25 -- 1m 1f 109y Apprentice Handicap -- A difficult finale to figure out the veteran MEGALALA did win this last year and is now a 14yo, his jockey unable to claim in this so will find it hard to repeat that feat. 

The top two GLENNTEN and BENNELONG both have course and distance form but might find the concession of over a stone in weight to TAMUJIN who was runner up here a couple of weeks back and deserves another chance in this sort of race.

A few winners across the day helped matters the best news today though was away from the track and all being well I have a new job starting soon. 

Have a good week.

AFC WIMBLEDON END OF SEASON REPORT.

Final league position 15th. [Pl - 46   W - 14   D - 16   L - 16   F - 54   A - 60   Pts - 58]

The 2014-15 closed on Saturday with a disappointing 1-1 draw against already relegated Cheltenham Town. Jack Smith scoring the Dons equaliser in front of a crowd of 4,374.

It's a season of what might have been, the Dons having failed to win in their last 8 games meant they finished just below mid table when it was conceivable that the play off's could have been a possibility over Xmas sadly that was not to be. 

Failure to beat many of the sides below them in the table is something that has to be addressed for next term, should have picked up more points against the likes of Tranmere, Cheltenham and Hartlepool, it has often been the case that if a team is in a rut and needs a win they can be sure of one when the arrive at Kingsmeadow. 

The side did fare a lot better against some of the bigger sides though, doubles against the likes of Luton Town and Portsmouth were signs of better days ahead and the effort put in against York and Liverpool in the FA Cup were also excellent signs of progress in our short but illustrious career. 

PLAYER OF THE SEASON = BEAST MODE ON !!

The season has been exciting for the presence of one outstanding player, and leader of men. Take a bow Mr Adebayo Akinfenwa aka THE BEAST. Seen here doing a light work out in the gym and celebrating his goal against Liverpool in the cup. Do hope that rumours of him leaving in the summer are unfounded since he's been great for PR and excellent with the younger members of the squad and we need great characters like this for next season where a large portion of the squad will be promoted members of our development team. 

It's going to be a long close season without much football activity till later in the summer. Hopefully it'll pass quickly the next key date I guess will be the announcement of a pre season tour and friendlies followed by the release of Football League fixtures for next season.