A BUSY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND AHEAD

Many events this weekend which is of course the August Bank Holiday too which sees a host of Football, Horse Racing and Heritage Railway events too. 

This Saturday while AFC Wimbledon are away at Rochdale FC looking for their first win in League One this season I will be out attending an Open Day at Hillingdon Railway Modellers. 

Always a good day out for me as I get to take a few of my late fathers trains to give them a good run, he built plenty of O Gauge models and although I only have a small number of them left I can only display a few at home. 

The important thing is to be able to get them out of their storage boxes and go give them a run now and then as well as meeting the other members and seeing their models too. 

Does remind me of my Dad, and I still feel he's with me while I am still able to participate in this club and support their excellent work. Miss you Dad. x

That should keep me busy and out of mischief for Saturday, for me Sunday is usually a day of rest as intended, I would on most weeks be preparing myself for another exciting week ahead of work but of course we have the luxury of not only Monday being a Bank Holiday but I also have Tuesday off as well. 

Monday the plan is to head out to Windsor for the morning and lunchtime and have a peaceful time down by the riverside. Then probably aim to head back for late afternoon and will be following the various horse racing meeting around the country, with action from all over on the flat at Chepstow, Epsom Downs, Newcastle and Ripon as well as National Hunt action over the obstacles at Cartmel in the lake district. The latter always being a very popular meeting over the holiday, although it's not the easiest of courses to get to. 

That leaves me with an additional day off to enjoy on Tuesday, the aim being a day out on the Mid Hants Railway based in Alton. Will be an early start ... 

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #25 24th AUGUST

Well that was an excellent Olympic Games from Rio, well done to all our Team GB Athletes and we'll celebrate that success with another night at Kempton Park on it's floodlit all weather surface. It's our 25th meeting of the season tonight and after a small success last week we have reduced our losses down to -31.59 points, which is now only an average loss of 1.3 points per meeting if you look at it over the entire year to date. Hopefully we can still pick up the winning thread again and continue through into the turn of the year.

At least the places paid a little bit and the LAY bets are also still losing (or winning, depending on your view) so I'm remaining optimistic that things will turn in our favour soon.

As always our focus will be on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of the results we record to SP.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of yet another successful lay last time out we have a success rate of 12 from 12. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for the rest of the year.

This week there's a 7 race card on offer, we have 5 handicaps to consider commencing at 17:40 with a 1m 4f fillies handicap.

Here is a link to the evening's race card
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/24-08-2016/fast-cards










The going on the polytrack surface is described as Standard to Slow and the current weather forecast is for a heatwave, well it'll be sunny at least this is England after all. The temperature is likely to rise to the highs of about 29C when the meetings begins and remain hot and quite muggy during the evening, make sure you have plenty to drink with you at all times.

Here are our selections for this evening's handicaps;

17:40 -- 1m 4f Fillies Handicap.
Just the seven declared for our opening handicap, and all bar Gracesome are 3yo fillies. The form selection would be PACHARANA from Luca Cumani's yard having won her last two events. 

But for a bit of value we go with Sir Mark Prescott's O'CONNOR'S GIRL [5th 5/1] who has been runner up twice including over course and trip here last time out, could progress with that run behind her. 

18:40 -- 1m Handicap (3yo).
Next race for us features 14 3yo's against the handicapper, and while most of them have some winning form to speak of it will be a bit of a guess which one has the best form on offer. 

Since it's 6/1 the field in the paper will chance a pair against the field, first one will be NOTARY [Last 7/2F] in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud and along with HOUSE OF COMMONS [7th 16/1] who has the assistance of Jamie Spencer.

19:40 -- 2m Handicap.
The stayers contest sees just the seven declared which once more limits the place opportunities, however we like the chances of CHARLIE WELLS [4th 4/1] even though this is a bit of step forward in grade the smallish field will help and he did win well last time having been impeded during the contest, ran on well to score. 

20:10 -- 1m 3f Handicap (3yo).
Six more three year olds now and looks another good chance for WEST COAST FLYER [Non Runner] to pick up another win, has won three from six races including here last time out over course and distance so a repeat showing show be enough.

Seems that the likely fav is RASMIYA [LAY] but that one looked a bit one paced and was hanging which won't help up against proven staying form over this trip such as that shown by our selection [LOST -- Last of 4 at 5/1 was not as well supported as originally expected].

20:40 -- 6f Handicap (3yo).
More three year olds now for the concluding handicap, where again will pair two against the field with DREAM DANA [2nd 5/1] representing Jamie Osborne who aren't in bad form especially on the AW tracks, along with DEER SONG [Non Runner] who was chasing one home here last time out and could be on a going day today.

Staked -- 7 points
Returns -- 2 points, just 2 non runners tonight so adding 5 points to our running loss, at least the Lay was successfully and 13 straight "losers" 

Loss c/f to our next evening meeting now stands at;
-36.59 Points to level stakes at SP.

Lays -- 13/13 (Still 100%, today's lay came last).

Results will appear here during the course of Wednesday night. The next Wednesday evening meeting at this course will be on 7th September so we've a couple of weeks to recover. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #24 17th AUGUST

Hope you are enjoying the Olympics from Rio it's a bit different to the "sand" we encounter here at Kempton and our 24th meeting of the season on Wednesday night see's us chasing a loss of -39.59 points, which I suppose is only 1.7 points per meeting if you look at it over the entire year to date. Hopefully we can still pick up the winning thread again and continue through into the turn of the year.

Though not as good as recent seasons have begun we do still have plenty of time to recover things. At least the places paid a little bit and the LAY bets are also still losing (or winning, depending on your view) so I'm remaining optimistic that things will turn in our favour soon.

As always our focus will be on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of the results we record to SP.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of yet another successful lay last time out we have a success rate of 11 from 11. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for a long while yet.

This week there's a 6 race card on offer, we have 4 handicaps to consider the opening two contests being maidens. The meeting will commence at 18:40 with a 7f maiden contest for 2yo only, and our first handicap gets underway at 19:40 also over 7f.

Here is a link to the evening's race card
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/17-08-2016/fast-cards








The going on the polytrack surface is described as Standard to Slow and the current weather forecast is for a heatwave, well it'll be sunny at least this is England after all. The temperature is likely to rise to the highs of about 25C when the meetings begins and will cool during the evening, make sure you have plenty to drink.

Here are our selections for this weeks handicaps;

19:40 -- 7f Fillies Handicap.
Our opening handicap is the third race on tonight's card, and the top weight SWEET DRAGON FLY is our next LAY [LOST 4th 5/1]. Won a bath maiden over 6f and up in trip, up to handicap grade, and top weight should be sufficient to get her beat. 

Against the forecast favourite is MALMOSTOSA [6th 11/1] who having won her maiden on the AW at Wolves then stepped up to a mile at Yarmouth and was chasing down the leaders before fading in the final half furlong, a step back to the 7f on this surface should see her fare a lot better.

20:10 -- 1m Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier).
A good field of 14 declared for this latest series in the Mile races, am going to dismiss the 3yos here as I expect one of the older horses to have their measure at this stage of the season. And it's AFJAAN [2nd 3/1] from Willie Haggis that I side with, has a good pedigree (Sired by Henrythenavigator) and ownership, has won a couple of races, proven on the AW surface and was in much better company recently at Goodwood when only beaten a couple of lengths. 

Expected to go well tonight 2nd beaten a head.

20:40 -- 2m Handicap.
A stayers event next where we've 8 declared, several inform runners here and most of the field have winning form over the distance and form on the track. 

Both MISTY BOB (on a hat-trick) and HATSAWAY (seeking a four timer) would be the obvious choices while in their current good run of form, the latter indeed getting plenty of weight from his rivals tonight. 

But we're going with JACOB CATS [4th 11/1] who chased up a decent horse at Sandown and has had six weeks off to recover from that effort. Looks decent enough on paper in this grade, has won at both Goodwood and Newmarket so if acting on the sand should be close.

21:10 -- 6f Handicap (3yo).
A sprint finale now and a dozen 3yo's declared, not many winners present so already might be better to side with one of the trio CURIOUS FOX [WON 12/1], OASIS MOON and SECRET INTERLUDE. 

Secret Interlude [9th 12/1] has had a little break, will prefer this track to the twists and turns of Brighton and the 5lb claim of Lucy Barry is very welcome. 

About time Jamie Osborne did me a favour here, no joy with Jamie, thankfully Curious Fox was a far more generous price than expected and able to take 12/1 about that one and Secret Interlude while Oasis Moon became the 2/1F instead.


Staked -- 5 points
Returns -- 13 points

Loss c/f to our next evening meeting now stands at;
-31.59 Points to level stakes at SP.

Lays -- 12/12 (Still 100%, and another successful lay tonight in the 19:40 which came 4th).

Our next Wednesday evening meeting at this course will be on August 24th.

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2016 TURF SEASON -- PART TWELVE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2016
Sunday 14th August
12th Meeting of this season ...

This will be our 12th meeting of the season on Sunday afternoon for our system that focuses on Pontefract racecourse, West Yorkshire and we've another fixture to enjoy getting underway about 2.15pm.

Currently showing a loss of -44.60 points to level stakes at SP. Beginning to look like we have the season that breaks the rule and fails (rather spectacularly) to break into profit. There are still some meetings to go and it's possible to turn things around but haven't seen this level of deficit since I started.

As always we count ALL results for this meeting returned to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures.

The 2016 season continues with our final Family Day of the season on Sunday 14th August -- the Flying Fillies Family Day. The race day takes its name after the feature race on the day and the richest race to be run at Pontefract in 2016. With £50,000 on offer, the EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ Stakes has a rich history with some very classy fillies on the role of honour. The 2015 prize went the way of Divine, trained by Mick Channon.

There’ll be some top class horses on show off the track too as old favourites Mr Wolf and Mister McGoldrick, stalwarts of the northern racing circuit in recent years, will be parading before racing starts. 

As has become the custom on Sundays at Pontefract, there’s a lot going on for the kids in the Picnic Enclosure. With kid’s rides, a circus, face painting and free sweets, activity books and racecards, there’s plenty to keep the little ones occupied while mums and dads enjoy some top class racing. Eagle eyed kids need to keep a look out for the lucky Golden Horseshoe too – there’s a hamper of sweets to be won for the first person to find it!

There is some high class supporting action on the track too. The £15,000 tote sponsored handicap over 1½m last year saw the highly talented Almodovar throw victory away by hanging across the track, getting collared late on by Rae Guest’s Headline News. The Stayers are once again back in action for Round 5 of the Stayers Championship, in a race sponsored by Moor Top Farm Shop. Madam Lilibet and American Life currently head the standings but with a whole host of horses snapping at their hooves, the prize is still up for grabs!

The forecast going is currently reported as 'Good, Good to firm in places' the weather for Sunday afternoon is for a fairly cloudy day in the most part, and a good chance of some rain later. The max temp is going to be about 21C but probably a little cooler by race time with plenty of cloud cover. 

Where did the forecast heatwave go guys?

Here are our selections for the 7 race card on Sunday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process of stalls 1 and 2 in every race;

2:15 5f Maiden (2yo).
(1) -- JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE  [6th 8/1].
(2) -- DUSTY BIN  [7th 6/1].


2:45 1m 4f 8yds Handicap.
(1) -- PLANE SONG  [3rd 10/1].
(2) -- MAINSTREAM  [2nd 2/1].


3:15 2m 1f 22yds Handicap.
(1) -- ANOTHER LINCOLNDAY  [WON 9/2].
(2) -- RIPTIDE  [2nd 9/2].
Forecast £24.45.


3:45 6f Fillies Stakes (Listed).
(1) -- MEHRONISSA  [WON 5/1].
(2) -- IMTIYAAZ  [5th 16/1].


4:20 1m 4yds Handicap (3yo).
(1) -- ZEALOUS  [Non Runner].
(2) -- AVENUE OF STARS  [Non Runner].


4:50 1m 4yds Maiden.
(1) -- GOING UP  [6th 7/1].
(2) -- OLD CHINA  [8th 33/1].


5:20 6f Handicap.
(1) -- VAN GERWEN  [2nd 3/1].
(2) -- ETERNITY'S GATE  [8th 8/1].


Staked -- 14 points.
Returns -- 13.5 points (Two winners in 3:15, 3:45, and forecast as well plus a pair of non runners in the 4:20 event).

Results will be updated here on Sunday, we hope you enjoying a wonderful weekend in the sunshine.

C/F to next meeting #13 -45.10 points lost.

Our next meeting here will take place on Thursday 15th September.

Just four more meetings to go this season. 

2016/2017 LEAGUE ONE SEASON -- AFC WIMBLEDON V BOLTON WANDERERS KO 3PM

SATURDAY 13th AUGUST 2016

YEAH BABY PLAY OFF WINNERS, NOW FOR LEAGUE ONE

This weekend is the Dons opening HOME fixture for the 2016-17 season in League One. Two defeats in the league and league cup this week is not good but that was a similar tale to last season and there is plenty of time for the side to get their act together in what is still a young side finding their feet in this league. 

This Saturday we host Bolton Wanderers at Kingsmeadow and this should be another test for our young team. Even though Bolton were relegated last season and their days of being a premier league side are in the past they still carry a big threat and should be a huge player in this division with the resources now available. Bolton beat Sheffield United 1-0 in their opening fixture last weekend, but like the Dons they also went out of the League Cup losing 4-2 to Blackpool on Tuesday night. 

We shall update on Saturday before kick off with the confirmed starting XI for both sides and any further news as it comes available.

Line Ups (confirmed);

  AFC WIMBLEDON
   Odds -- 6/4 (William Hill) 


 Clarke (Gk),  Fuller (c), Kelly,  Robinson,  Bulman,  Barcham,  Charles,  Parrett,  Reeves,  Taylor,  Elliott,  


Subs – Shea (Gk),  Nightingale,  Beere,  Francomb,  Fitzpatrick,  Barnett,  Poleon

BOLTON WANDERERS
Odds -- 19/10 (William Hill) 


Howard (Gk),  Davies,  Beevers,  Wheater,  Moxey,  Trotter,  Spearing,  Vela,  Buxton,  Proctor,  Madine 




Subs – Amos (Gk),  Clough,  Wilson,  Clayton,  A Taylor,  Taylor,  Woolery


 

H/T Score – 1 - 1

First Half Comment;
A full to bursting Kingsmeadow for the opening home game and a wonderful start for the Dons taking the lead with an excellent curled finish by Andy Barcham in the opening 16 mins. 

A game of few chances after that but sadly for us the trotters squeezed in an equaliser on 36 mins when Gary Madine struck a left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal, taking what looked like a deflection or bobble on the way and creeping under goalkeeper Clarke.

Half time approaches and it's fairly even as the scoreline suggests but the Dons should be disappointed not to hold onto a lead again, Bolton having a bit more of the play since they equalised, needs a good half time team talk.
 

F/T Score – 1 - 2

Match Summary;
Three defeats in a row now and not the start to the season we wanted to see. It's going to be hard but this is starting to feel a bit worrying, playing ok (not great, but ok) and creating chances that we are not able to put away. New keeper doesn't seem to command the box and you can't really see many options from the bench at the moment. 

Fair play to Bolton, brought a few fans and didn't panic at 1-0 down and took control. Another game on Tuesday night and chance to get those points on the board before it gets a bit lonely at the bottom.


Man of the Match – Andy Barcham.

Referee -- Our Referee for the Trotters game is Gavin Ward, 46, from Sheppey. Clever boy - works as a Senior Finance Business Partner with Axa in Kingston. He must work with some strapping Wombles who threaten to dangle him off the top of the building if we ever lose a match of his, cos we always do well with him, even though he's a fussy sod.

Attendance – 4,619.

Next match:
Tuesday 16th August vs Scunthorpe (Home)
League One -- KO 7:45pm

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #23 10th AUGUST

Hope you had a good week since our last outing here at Kempton we are into August with a loss of -33.59 points to work with. Lets see if our winning run can pick up again and continue through into the turn of the year.

Though not as good as recent seasons have begun we do still have plenty of time to recover things. At least the places paid a little bit and the LAY bets are also still losing (or winning, depending on your view) so I'm optimistic that things will turn in our favour soon.

As always our focus will be on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of the results we record to SP.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of yet another successful lay last time out we have a success rate of 11 from 11. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for a long while yet.

This week there's a 7 race card on offer, we have 5 handicaps to consider and 2 of those are 2yo nursery's so it's nice and varied. The meeting will commence at 18:10 with a 7f nursery handicap contest for 2yo only.

Here is a link to the evening's race card
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/10-08-2016/fast-cards







The going on the polytrack surface is described as Standard to Slow and the current weather forecast is for a patchy day with sunshine but plenty of cloud. The temperature is likely to remain at about 20C when the meetings begins and will cool during the evening there is a small chance of a shower but we should be ok.

Here are our selections for this weeks handicaps;


18:10 -- 7f Nursery Handicap (2yo).
Our opening event for the evening is a nursery for 2yo horses, just the six declared for this JUMPING JACK [2nd 2/1] won last time out and will be fancied to repeat that here over course and distance. Won't be much of a price sadly but should kick us off with a winner.


19:10 -- 6f Nursery Handicap (2yo).
If the opening nursery was poorly attended this one is worse with only four declared. At least all four have a chance and it's fairly wide open. MORNING SUIT [3rd 2/1] has winning form on the track and that should be a huge positive so is our selection in this contest that due to the small field might be tactical.

20:10 -- 7f Handicap.
Bit better card for this action and we side with a pair of seven year olds against the field, both been competing in higher grade and we think the drop down a level might bring them into the thick of things. 

Our selections are PERSONAL TOUCH [5th 12/1] and MEZMAAR [7th 7/2].

20:40 -- 1m Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier).
Another in the mile series for three year olds and we've a dozen declared for this contest, clearly ABERLADY isn't one of his stable's stars, still a maiden after seven runs but is still given a chance in this low grade, wouldn't be surprised if she was moved on after this season though. 

We will side with the Queen's BONHOMIE [9th 6/1] who won a mile maiden on the AW at Wolves and might be nicely handicapped at this level to take another contest, at least knows how to win which is a plus in this field.

21:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap (3yo).
Our finale tonight sees a field of 13 where MR LANDO [3rd 9/2] is still of interest having won last time out, although that was at Wolves on a different surface he's fit from hurdling too and might be able to take advantage while in the mood. 

Nothing else really stands out, would love to see BARNACLE run well for the late Pat Eddery but was beaten so far last time can't really make a case for him.

Staked -- 6 points
Returns --  NIL points

Loss c/f to the next meeting ; -39.59 Points.

Lays -- 11/11 (Still 100%, nothing tonight).

Results will appear here during the course of Wednesday night. The next Wednesday evening meeting at this course will be on August 17th. 

2016/2017 LEAGUE ONE SEASON -- AFC WIMBLEDON V WALSALL KO 3PM

SATURDAY 6th AUGUST 2016

YEAH BABY PLAY OFF WINNERS, NOW FOR LEAGUE ONE

The football season is back again and another remarkable chapter for our club begins, having gained promotion to League One for the first time since their resurrection. 

This Saturday we travel north to Walsall who were trailblazing last season in this division, before finishing in 3rd place and therefore must be one of the favourites to go up this season. Clearly it will not be an easy baptism for the Dons, but these are the games and scenario's that we always tend to thrive upon. With matches against Peterborough and Bolton to follow in the coming week there will be no time to rest or easy games (except when we thrash the MK Scum later in the year of course). 

We shall update on Saturday before kick off with the confirmed starting XI for both sides and any further news as it comes available.

Line Ups (confirmed);

  AFC WIMBLEDON
   Odds -- 12/5 (William Hill) 


 Clarke (Gk),  Fuller (c), Kelly,  Robinson,  Bulman,  Barcham,  Charles,  Whelpdale,  Reeves,  Taylor,  Elliott,  



Subs – Shea (Gk),  Nightingale,  Beere,  Parrett,  Fitzpatrick,  Barnett,  Poleon

WALSALL
Odds -- 11/10 (William Hill) 


Etheridge (Gk),  Edwards,  O'Connor,  McCarthey,  Henry, Chambers,  Cuvelier,  Morris,  Osbourne,  Jackson, Oztumer 




Subs – MacGillivray (Gk),  Dobson,  Preston,  Ginnelly,  Bakayoko,  Makris,  Moussa

H/T Score – 2 - 0

First Half Comment;
Strong opening from the hosts and they went ahead on 7 mins from a free kick by Erhun Oztumer giving the Dons keeper Clarke no chance. 

Dons haven't really settled into the game yet and have had a few half chances but not enough to trouble the Walsall keeper. 

Then as we approached half time and thinking that a 1-0 deficit was still in our compass, another free kick and another goal scored, this time a close range finish from Walsall's new signing Simeon Jackson.
 

F/T Score – 3 - 1

Match Summary;
A defeat for our first match in League One, could have been worse and at least we kept going and picked up our first goal in this league. There will be better games, and points to be had but I'll forget this game and move on, Walsall did the business and should be a danger once they play more together (10 new signings apparently). 


Man of the Match – Simeon Jackson (Walsall).

Referee -- Referee for our match with Walsall is Charles Breakespear, 34, a kitchen salesman from Surrey. Has been a Football League referee since 2013 and has the reputation of being extremely picky and fussy (surely not).

Wimbledon have played the saddlers 6 times at Fellows Park & Bescot Stadium since 1981, and lost every one !! BUT as this is AFC Wimbledon and the match is played at the Bank's Stadium (*) it's clearly time for a change yeah. 

(*)I know it's the same as the Bescot, just playing with you.

Attendance – 5,845.

Next match:
Tuesday 9th August vs Peterborough (Away)
Football League Cup Round 1 -- KO 7:45pm