KEMPTON PARK RACES 2018 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #21 31st OCTOBER

The evenings continue to draw in and get darker early, but the lights are on here always at Kempton on Wednesday.

Bonfire weekend coming up although the fireworks have been going off around here for the last week ... Jump season in action now too away from the all weather tracks and trips to Ascot and Cheltenham will be on the cards between now and the new year. The football is best forgotten about for the time being as Wimbledon keep losing (six without a win now) yet the manager is still in situ. Fed up watch a lack of passion so glad I can come back to this blog as we continue to follow the progress of handicap races on the Wednesday night races here at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey. We've not had the greatest year to date sadly and are falling behind now although it's a bit up and down this is now into the last few months as we reach meeting number twenty one. There are usually 4-5 handicap races covered and some Lay bets too with separate totals recorded to SP throughout the year. 

We are ready for week number twenty one, and as we push on into the latter part of the year we need to find that winning habit again as we need to recover and take a dent out of the losses to date since we find ourselves down -51.72 points to SP, would be nice to continue turning this around and there is still a fair way to go we need some more winners soon and alas we record to starting prices.

As we continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if one is available. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1 point level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds than this but for the purpose of these results here we simply record SP returns only.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures, having a disappointing time with these of late keep on finding winners, this season though means we are currently 15/26 going forwards with these for 2018 and we at least keep accurate figures win or lose. 

This Wednesday is meeting number twenty one for the 2018 season and we are expecting an eight race card tonight with four handicaps and a 2yo Nursery for us to look through and enjoy the action which will commence at 16:40 with the 6f Nursery event. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a dark and cloudy day we a decent chance of rain so might be best to stay in the bars between races (just a suggestion) but we can still have a good night even with the threat of rain a top temperature will be about 10C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

16:40 -- 6f Nursery Handicap (2yo).
Our opening event tonight is a nursery handicap for two year olds only, a big field of 12 declared and should be wide open. GLOBAL GODDESS [3rd 8/1] could be dangerous from the Gay Kelleway yard at this time of year and the filly has run well with claiming riders on board before so the 7lb that Faye McManoman takes off her back could be decisive. 

SHESCOMINGHOME [10th 12/1] another with a useful 7lb claiming rider available and this one has been placed around Wolves on the AW at big odds so could put that experience to good use tonight.

18:15 -- 1m Handicap.
The mile handicap has a field of fourteen and Jamie Osborne runs RIPPLING WATERS [11th 14/1] a course and distance winner off a 3lb higher mark than tonight so plenty of interest here. 

SAJANJL [3rd 5/1] is a well bred and lightly raced filly who might appreciate this trip although early days with her wouldn't be a surprise if she stepped up tonight.

19:15 -- 1m 7f 218y Handicap.

Stayers handicap next for us and old favourite GAVLAR [7th 12/1] heads the weights, won here a couple of races ago and usually consistent, together with the bottom weight ENCRYPTION [Non Runner] are our selections against the field the latter a winner last time out over at Yarmouth and if taking to the surface could give these more experienced horses a run for the money.

19:45 -- 1m 3f 219yds Handicap (3yo).

In what appears to be the best race of the night this has only attracted five runners for us to peruse, Welsh Lord looks the likely favourite for Godolphin but will oppose with the pair DRAMATIC QUEEN [WON 3/1] and PERFECT ILLUSION [].

20:15 -- 1m 3f 219yds Handicap.

Our finale over just short of mile and half has attracted a field of 14 where we will side with the pair of I'M RUNNING LATE [8th 10/1] and LILY ASH [6th 10/1] against the field, both have all weather form, and interesting that I'm Running Late has been over in the USA on their dirt tracks so will see what the market makes of that one here on the AW.

Staked -- 10 points.
Returns --  5 points.

Results will appear here later on Wednesday night. We had a big near miss last time but overall the losses are sadly increased to the current level of -51.72 points. Couple of months of the year left to make a dent into that hopefully. Only one winner, a loss of 5 points tonight, making it a -56.72 deficit moving onto the last couple of months. 

LAYS -- 15/26 so far, beginning to get them beat now, and if we have one or two Lays tonight they will be updated here also. Both lays successful now on 17/28.

Tonight's Lays;

UNIVERSAL ORDER [17:15] LOST 2nd 13/8.

WELSH LORD [19:45] LOST 2nd 4/1.

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park will be in a few weeks time on WEDNESDAY 14th NOVEMBER so hope to see you then.

NFL 2018 INTERNATIONAL SERIES GAME 3 -- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES vs JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Sunday 28th October

Philadelphia Eagles  vs Jacksonville Jaguars @ Wembley Stadium


The last of this seasons international games will again take place at Wembley on Sunday and ends this years three scheduled game series in London. Effectively this is a Jacksonville home game as they have been coming here for some time now and I believe also have a 10 year deal with the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Another sell out crowd is expected for these popular matches and kick off will be at 1.30pm (Uk Time) and is expected to be broadcast live on BBC2 which is a wonderful show of support for the sport from the Broadcaster on top of their two weekly update shows. To put on a live show in the evening and commit the schedule to potentially 3-4 hours worth of sport is something they have only done once before and that was on the now defunct BBC3 freeview channel. 

Current season record 

  Philadelphia Eagles
    - P7 W3 L4 F154 A138
  Jacksonville Jaguars
    - P7 W3 L4 F116 A146

Head Coach -- Doug Marrone

The current Superbowl champions Philadelphia Eagles come to London to face the regular "home" fixture for Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags owner Shahid Khan has not been able to purchase Wembley Stadium but his side has been playing here for some years now. It's fair to say that the Eagles are not in the same form as they were on the way to winning SuperBowl LII with returning Quarterback Carson Wentz back in action and recent win against the New York Giants as well as last weekends defeat against Carolina 21-17 so they don't look like challenging this year. His opposite QB is Blake Bortles who is not having the same impact as last term recent losses to Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys before another loss last weekend against Houston Texans [20-7] which saw Bortles benched so a pair of sides out of form something has to give. 

We will aim to keep a brief summary of each quarter as the game progresses, should be a great start to this series of UK fixtures which will surely grow until we have our own regular season NFL franchise. 

Head Coach -- Doug Pederson

For those of you not coming to Wembley this Sunday afternoon pleased to confirm you can watch the match live on the BBC, it's on their BBC2 channel and sure that Nat Coombs will host with plenty of guests. Also ensure you catch all the build up and highlights of matches played earlier on their regular Saturday night NFL Show with Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora joining in the fun this season. Have a great day all.

1st Quarter;
The National Anthems are concluded, the coin toss is won by Philadelphia Eagles and they have deferred to allow Jacksonville to kick off and we are underway in London for the final NFL game in the UK for this season. Josh Lambo kicks to the end-zone so Carson Wentz will begin from the 25 yard line with their opening drive. 

Wentz throws a couple of poor passes and is nearly picked off early, however does pass to himself for a first down but is soon sacked and fumbles with the Jaguars recovering back to the 34 yard line after a penalty. Blake Bortles begins his first drive early in the game in good field position and running a few plays himself for the first down. They have to settle for a 51 yard field goal by Josh Lambo to open the scoring here. 

The Eagles begin their second drive of the opening quarter from their own 14 yard line, and they mark a little forward progress including a first down from Wentz who finds a gap and runs to the 37y line. Annoyingly another interception in the end zone this time and they fail to score once more. 

2nd Quarter;
Jacksonville start the 2nd Quarter on their own 10y line after Bortles is sacked and they have to punt away. After a few running plays fail they finally get moving with consecutive passing plays securing first downs by Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz in the opposing half. Cannot make it count though and fail to find the end zone settling instead for a 31 yard field goal by Jake Elliott and it's all square at 3-3.

Jaguars start again from their own 25y line, passes to Cole and Chark takes them into the Philadelphia half again but another sack for Bortles brings on Josh Lambo for a 57 yard field goal, and he makes it to put them back in the lead. We really need some Touchdowns today as the two minute warning is reached for the opening half with the defences on top. The ball is picked off again on the half way line and the Eagles might have a final chance to score in this half with about a minute and half to play, tries to find Agholor but it's incomplete. Wentz runs himself to get a 1st down and with under a minute left they moving close to the field goal range in a poor first half for the offensive units until he throws to Dallas Goedert who runs into the end zone after a 32y pass and it's our first Touchdown of the afternoon the Eagles take the lead at half time. 

H/T Score;   Philadelphia Eagles  10 - 6 Jacksonville Jaguars.

3rd Quarter;
The Eagles kick off the second half, it's downed in the end zone so the Jaguars start on their 25y line behind by 4. Bortles throws a nice pass to the half way line for a first down and the half is moving a bit quicker but a delay due to injury to the Eagles Jalen Mills who has to go off. Bortles unable to move further forwards so the punt team send it to the 5yd line. 

Adams runs out to the half way line and the Eagles keep moving, do not look the same team that won the Super Bowl though but leading all the same. But an amazing run by Wendell Smallwood all the way to the end zone to extend the Eagles lead out of nothing. The following drive by the Jaguars sees Bortles finds tight end David Grinnage for 24 yards and eventually they find the end zone with Dede Westbrook for the touchdown but fail with the 2pt conversion to remain five points adrift 17-12.

4th Quarter;
The final quarter starts with the Jags on the 30yd line, but concede a penalty for 1st and 20 then move it on close to a first down once more. In good position to make this game interesting after a slow start. Dede Westbrook fails to complete twice while in the red zone, 3rd down and incomplete again so will to let Lambo kick another field goal to reduce the lead to just two. Carson Wentz quickly gets the Eagles moving and a 36 pass reception to Jordan Matthews it's not long till they are in sight of the goal once more on the 7yd line but more injuries for the Jaguars. Zach Ertz catches the pass and the Eagles score another touchdown. 

Jaguars back in the game with TJ Yeldon who receives a pass for a 37 yard gain, there have been a few penalties and an ejection but missed who that was. First and goal with 7 mins to go. They get the ball in the end zone but it's juggled and dropped by DJ Chark so that brings up 4th down and it's another field goal from Lambo to reduce the score to just six. 

We need another score. Doesn't look likely as they get the 1st down needed and successive knees means its all over I needed ONE more point gutted.

F/T Score;    Philadelphia Eagles  24 - 18 Jacksonville Jaguars. 

AFC WIMBLEDON v LUTON TOWN -- LEAGUE ONE 2018-19 SEASON 27th OCTOBER

AFC Wimbledon vs Luton Town Play Off Final 2011

This weekend the Dons will play host to Luton Town who used to be one of our bogie teams since our non league days until we beat them on penalties in the play off final back in 2011. They are not the big scalp they once were while in the Conference and should be more of an even match this season with both clubs looking to move home soon too.

The Dons are in a really bad run of form losing to several teams in the bottom half as well as others in the relegation zone (Bradford, Plymouth) has meant they have now joined them in the bottom four. Another loss on Tuesday night 2-0 away to Bristol Rovers, another side who were in the bottom six prior to that and I think the calls for Neal Ardley to go will become a lot more vocal. [If he hasn't already gone by Saturday that is.] Three important points will be up for grabs, after the Dons losses in their previous league games a win is looking essential to stop the rot at the bottom end of the league one table. Luton Town come here after a 4-1 win midweek against Accrington Stanley and are currently in 6th place in the league with 25 points to show for their efforts so far, the Dons are at the other end of the current table in 22nd place on 11 points after their run of defeats. 

FORM GUIDE 
(Last 6 matches in the league, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LLLLLW
Luton Town -- WWLWWD




LAST TIME OUT

Bristol Rovers 2 AFC Wimbledon 0
Luton Town 4 Accrington Stanley 1 

Updates will be published with team news and more news as and when it comes through. It's an all ticket match but not expecting this one to sell out by any means due to the poor run of form for the Dons. It is usually well attended although expecting some further train disruption in the Wimbledon and Kingston areas as usual from South Western Railway who are on strike for the next few weekends, perhaps we should sign them up we could do with some experienced strikers now. A big hand for ex-Don and Luton goalkeeper James Shea if he's between the posts here while the Dons have Jake Jervis on loan so unsure if he'll be allowed to play against his parent club today. Luton will be favourites, I suggest you lump on and include them in all accumulators this weekend.

Line Ups (confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 14/5 (William Hill) 

McDonnell (Gk)  Purrington,  Oshilaja (c),  Nightingale,  McDonald,  Wagstaff,  Soares,  Hartigan,  Appiah,  Trotter,  Hanson.

Subs – King (Gk),  Burey,  Pinnock,  Egan,  Watson,  Thomas,  Pigott

LUTON TOWN

Odds -- 19/20 (William Hill) 

Shea (Gk),  Stacey,  Pearson,  Bradley,  Justin,  Shinnie,  Rea,  Mpanzu,  Lee,  Hylton,  Collins

Subs –  Isted (Gk),  McCormack,  Cornick,  LuaLua,  Jarvis,  Jones,  Sheehan (c)

H/T Score – 0 - 0

First Half Comment;
A very cold and blustery Kingsmeadow sees the Dons start against Luton on a dreadful run. Need to convert some chances, but it's Luton who have the first decent chance when Danny Hylton hits the post with a header, we are lucky not to be behind after a few minutes. The Dons first chance comes from James Hansen who forces a save from James Shea in the hatters goal. 

Dull Dull Dull, nothing happening, a lot of fouls (no cards) and few corners that come to nothing. God we are awful but so are Luton. Piss poor first half of football and we might hanging onto a point. 

F/T Score – 0 - 2

Match Summary;
A goal early on the hour mark in the second half, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (great name) for Luton Town with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left and the hatters go one up and the Dons crowd want Ardley gone. 

Then on 66 minutes it's a penalty for Luton Town conceded by Anthony Hartigan after a foul on Danny Hylton, Danny steps up himself and it's saved down the centre by McDonnell to keep the Dons in the game but they haven't created much this half to get back in it? And the answer is NO as Luton go two up via a Elliot Lee beating McDonnell with a drive from outside the area. Surely this is the end for Ardley I cannot face more of the same boring media speak about hard work and pulling together .... no there is no fight in the squad, no passion on display, this is not the Wimbledon I was brought up on. 

My Man of the Match – No one in a Dons Shirt.

Referee -- Our referee for this afternoon's big game will be Andy Davis from Hampshire, his 7th season in the football league as an official and has been doing some Championship games this season so is one of the more experienced on the list. Averages about 4 bookings a game so will aim to back that market if we can but as usual we are not expecting a lot of help from the man in the middle. 

Attendance – 4,202.

Next match:
Saturday 3rd November vs Shrewsbury (Home)
League One 3:00pm 

2018 FA CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW -- MONDAY 22nd OCTOBER

The draw for the First Round of this years Emirates FA Cup will be made later on Monday night live on BBC TV, another sure sign that Winter is soon to be upon us. While we are currently struggling in League One it will be good to mount a reasonable Cup run for a change and maybe get as far as playing a Premier League side as we did last year losing to Spurs at Wembley in round three.

There are 80 Numbers in the "hat" for the first round proper, the draw is live on BBC Two at 7pm hosted by Mark Chapman, Lynsey Hipgrave will supervise the draw with two footballing guests, Dennis Wise and Dion Dublin (little and large) will be drawing the balls out. Plenty of non league interest and stories from amongst the 32 sides that have made it from qualifying, these include the boys in blue, Met Police who play local to me near Hampton Court would be interesting. A draw against Salford City would probably guarantee some air time on BBC TV in round one.

AFC Wimbledon have been assigned ball No. 2. A home draw would also be nice for a change, and I just hope we avoid the Franchise scum for obvious reasons In fact I wouldn't mind hosting Aldershot (Ball No.71) perhaps at this stage with the ambition for a lucrative tie in rounds three and four perhaps?

The Full 1st round draw will appear here during the evening as the ties are confirmed ... matches to be played over the period of 9th - 12th November the winners in round one will pick up £36,000 in prize money for their efforts.

  Haringey Borough        Vs        AFC Wimbledon
  Maidstone United        Vs        Macclesfield
  Ebbsfleet United        Vs        Cheltenham Town
  Hampton and Richmond        Vs        Oldham Athletic
  Swindon Town        Vs        York City
  Mansfield Town        Vs        Charlton Athletic
  Torquay United        Vs        Woking
  Scunthorpe United        Vs        Burton Albion
  Port Vale        Vs        Sunderland
  Aldershot Town        Vs        Bradford City
  Grimsby Town        Vs        MK Scum
  Chorley        Vs        Doncaster Rovers
  Alfreton Town        Vs        Fleetwood Town
  Bromley        Vs        Peterborough
  Southport        Vs        Boreham Wood or Dagenham
  Plymouth Argyle        Vs        Stevenage
  Chesterfield        Vs        Billericay Town or Taunton Town
  Lincoln City        Vs        Northampton Town
  Barnet        Vs        Bristol Rovers
  Yeovil        Vs        Stockport County

  Bury        Vs        Dover Athletic
  Gillingham        Vs        Hartlepool
  Oxford United        Vs        Forest Green Rovers
  Tranmere        Vs        Hemel Hempstead or Oxford City
  Accrington Stanley        Vs        Colchester United
  Barnsley        Vs        Notts County
  Shrewsbury        Vs        Salford City
  Met Police        Vs        Newport County
  Walsall        Vs        Coventry City
  Rochdale        Vs        Gateshead

  Hitchen Town or Leatherhead        Vs       Solihull Moors
  Sutton United        Vs        Slough Town
  Guiseley        Vs        Cambridge United
  Exeter City        Vs        Blackpool
  Luton Town        Vs        Wycombe Wanderers
  Morecambe        Vs        Warrington Town or Halifax Town
  Crewe Alexandra        Vs        Carlisle United
  Southend United        Vs        Crawley Town
  Chippenham or Maidenhead    Vs        Portsmouth
  Western Super Mare        Vs        Harrogate Town or Wrexham

Good luck all (except Franchise FC obviously).

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2018 TURF SEASON -- PART SIXTEEN (FINALE)

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2018.

Monday 22nd October.
Welcome to this our 16th and Final meeting of the year. 

1st race 2.00pm, gates open 12 noon. 

This is our final meeting as the 2018 season draws to a close it sees our final Listed Race where the 2yos take to the stage in the EBF Silver Tankard Stakes off at 15:30. As the nights draw in, Mondays in October can seem a bit dark but we’ve got something to brighten the darkest Autumnal day. There’s some really good racing on this day as many trainers try to get their horses to the track for one final run. It’s always a popular and well attended race meeting as it’s time to have a final catch up with the friends that you’ve made at Pontefract through the season. There will be the chance to do some very early Christmas shopping when the Injured Jockeys Fund bring their stall. Or you could always purchase an annual badge for 2019? I'll be back so hope you will.

We had a small loss last time around and we had to take a hit on our balance so we come into the final meeting of the year behind to the tune of -31.95 to Starting Prices. This is our last chance to get this back before the season is over. We have throughout this season recorded ALL results for these fixtures to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures.

The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Soft, Heavy in places' the weather for Monday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with some chance of showers but hopefully not too much rain to spoil the day We've a forecast maximum temperature around the 16C mark as we come to the end of the season here in Autumn.

Here are our selections for the eight races on Monday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:00 1m 6yds Nursery Handicap (2yo).
(1) -- TONY CHESTNUT  [11th 4/1].
(2) -- OLLIVANDER  [10th 14/1].

14:30 6f Novice Stakes (2yo).
(1) -- COMBINATION  [7th 40/1].
(2) -- JUST LATER  [Non Runner].

15:00 1m 2f 5yds Handicap.
(1) -- ARMANDIHAN  [7th 7/2].
(2) -- FRAMLEY GARTH  [3rd 9/1].

15:30 1m 6yds Silver Tankard Listed Stakes.
(1) -- MANUELA DE VEGA   [WON 10/11F].
(2) -- DIVINE GIFT  [5th 16/1].

16:00 1m 4f 5yds Maiden (Div One).
(1) -- IMAGINATIVE  [WON 6/4].

(2) -- LORD OF THE PACE  [7th 13/2].

16:30 1m 4f 5yds Maiden (Div Two).

(1) -- GALITELLO  [3rd 7/2].

(2) -- PERFECT MYTH  [5th 33/1].

17:00 2m 2f 2yds Jamaican Flight Handicap.

(1) -- HEDIDDODINTHE  [7th 100/1].
(2) -- ROYAL FLAG  [2nd 4/1].

17:30 5f 3yds Handicap.
(1) -- PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH  [6th 5/2].
(2) -- ARCAVALLO. [9th 11/2]

Staked -- 16 points.
Returns -- 5.41 points.

We reach the end of the season with a disappointing loss figure of -31.95 points to SP. Results from today's final meeting will be updated in the early evening. Lost another -10.59 points today so a disappointing end to the year here with an overall deficit of -42.54. 

And that is all from us for the 2018 season here, all being well we return for the first race meeting of 2019 around April. Hope to see you then.