JOLLY BOYS DAY OUT RICHMOND AND TWICKENHAM - FRIDAY MARCH 29th

This "Lads night out" has turned into a day off and full on session. It had started out as a trip down to Bournemouth and I had booked trains and hotel, but as we have people coming from the North East, and South West the logistics meant we moved it back to Twickenham. This now means the likes of 'Dave Mc' coming down from Newcastle, Jason up from Devon and Lee travelling up from Bournemouth should contribute to a fine way to spending a day off work. Hopefully I have a little bit of spending money for this, as I do have a busy month coming up too with birthdays, Easter Holidays and then full steam ahead to my 50th Birthday at the end of April. 

It's a busy day off for me, early morning I have an annual eye scan at the Feltham Medical Centre, this shouldn't take long but the side effect is that my eyes will be struggling to see for a while, therefore I will have to go out a little later than planned. Will still go out and pick up few bits for the weekend though and then meet up with guys in Richmond and all being well it'll be a great day out. 

My friend Mark has put together an itinerary which looks as follows for Friday 29th March;

14:00 - meet in Richmond at the Orange Tree opposite the station. 
15:30 - Sun Inn. A swifty in here because I like the barmaid.
16:00 - The Cricketers. For obvious reasons I like the barmaid.
16:55 - Take stock and regroup leave all walking wounded behind.
17:00 - proceed to a bus stop, whatever that is, find a route to Twickenham.
18:00 - The Fox, Church Street, Twickenham.
19:00 - William Webb Ellis, London Road Twickenham.
21:00 - Time for a curry, need to find somewhere else as the Gurkha Inn we booked have cancelled on us. 

Ended up in the Twickenham Tandoori restaurant on Church Street and can heartily recommend them, friendly, quick, wonderful food with a large variety of menu too. 

All in all a great night out again. See you next time guys

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2019 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #8 27th MARCH

And we are back for the next instalment of what I hope will prove to be a productive year throughout 2019.

The first quarter of the year is at an end and Cheltenham 2019 is but a memory while the Aintree Grand National meeting and the Easter break come into view. The turf flat season will also be starting again at the end of this week the Doncaster Lincoln meeting on 30th March in the meantime we are back to focus on the all weather horse racing now while the lights still shine brightly here at Kempton Park throughout this year. We are hopeful of better season than we experienced last year but it's just some fun and excitement to mix up the week we have started the first quarter well though so it's positive thus far. 

Lets continue with our eighth Wednesday night of 2019, and will continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting though we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if there is one 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. 

Following a mixed bag of results last time out we lost another -2.75 points to SP and are therefore slightly down by -10.77 points to SP returns overall. But I'm fine with it so far given three months have elapsed and there's plenty of time to get this back on course. 

Again throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we have been fairly successful with our selections so far but with couple of favourites winning recently we are now 5/9 we will continue with this through 2019. 

This Wednesday will be meeting number eight for the 2019 AW season and we are expecting another seven race card tonight with three handicaps this week for us to look through and enjoy, the action which will commence at 17:30 with a fillies maiden contest and the card ends around about 20:30 with a six furlong handicap.

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 dry day with some cloud cover and a top temperature will only be about 14C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

19:30 -- 1m Handicap.
Our first handicap event tonight will be run over a mile, and we've a field of 13 declared to face the starter. Might pay to side with the course and distance winners in the field and of the thirteen there are just three of them that meet this criteria; GOSSIPING, LOTHARIO and SILVERTURNSTOGOLD. 

Of those LOTHARIO [3rd 3/1] looks to be the one most likely based on his last five runs around Kempton which ended with a win last time out. That race also featured BAASHIQ [7th 10/1] who finished runner up and re-opposes tonight so we will take that pair against the field in our opening handicap event.

20:00 -- 7f Handicap.
Next handicap over seven furlongs with a field of nine, where top weight UNFORGIVING MINUTE isn't getting any younger at eight and yet does seem to handle all the different all weather tracks in the south switching from Lingfield, Chelmsford and Kempton with ease. However looks weighted to the hilt against some of these so will look elsewhere on this occasion. 

CORAZON ESPINADO is well worth keeping an eye on especially when he next runs at Epsom so we will pick out HUMAN NATURE [4th 10/1] who is racing of a fair mark here, as well as CALL OUT LOUD [3rd 4/1] another who might be right although most AW form is away from here hence the available price. .

20:30 -- 6f Handicap.
Our finale tonight is a sprint over six furlongs and has attracted a field of 11. Top weight WAQAAS might need this first run of the season and there are plenty here with chances so will take the pair CHOICE ENCOUNTER [] a dual winner here in January along with bottom weight STEELRIVER [] who despite being 9yo has shown still capable of winning when the mood suits and is no forlorn hope at 14/1. 

Staked -- 6 points.
Returns -- Nil points.

Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. We are currently on a deficit of -10.77 points to SP returns for the season, nine months of the season to go though. Alas no wins in the handicap races tonight, so we find ourselves down -16.77 going forwards to next time. 

LAYS -- 5/9. Sadly found a couple of winning favourites which have dented our good start to the lay feature this year, still looking for short priced selections though.

Tonight's Lays;
17:30 -- VAMPISH LOST   2nd 5/1.
18:00 -- GLORY LOST   4th 5/2.
18:30 -- DAWN COMMANDO   Won 13/8F.

Got 2 from 3 tonight, so now stats are 7/12.

Our next meeting for this year will be held on Wednesday 3rd April so hope to see you then and throughout 2019 too.

AFC WIMBLEDON v GILLINGHAM -- LEAGUE ONE 2018-19 SEASON 23rd MARCH

This weekend the Dons will play host to Gillingham in League One where former Gillingham player Joe Pigott will hopefully be fit to start as he managed to score the only goal of the game when AFC Wimbledon won the reverse fixture 1-0. With the Dons still in the bottom four and games beginning to run out it would be a good time to repeat that feat as our fortunes have dropped since the early season wins. Though three wins in a row against the likes of Southend, Peterborough and Doncaster means that we are nearer the others now and survival is now very possible if we take more points from the games against the teams around us and that includes today's opponents.

Gillingham under manager Steve Lovell find themselves in 16th place and only 2 points above the drop zone as of today. Realistically anyone from 12th place Plymouth downwards is still in the relegation fight, with only eight games to go. This is a key game for both sides. 

FORM GUIDE 
(Last 6 matches in the league, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- WWWDLW
Gillingham -- DLWDWL





LAST TIME OUT

Southend U 0 AFC Wimbledon 1

Luton Town 2  Gillingham 2





Updates will be published with team news and more news as and when it comes through. It's not considered as an all ticket match and not expecting this one to sell out by any means either but the Dons recent form is good and the fans will certainly begin to believe. Going to be very cold and grey out there, maybe the action on the pitch will warm the crowd, hopefully we'll have Dylan Connolly fit to fly down the wings (he's on the subs bench sadly) and some more luck in front of goal today as another win will surely bring us back amongst a host of sides above us. Come on you Dons.

Line Ups (confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 6/5 (William Hill) 

Ramsdale (Gk),  Thomas,  Wagstaff,  Hartigan,   Seddon, Sibbick,  McDonald,  Kalambayi,   Pigott,  Wordsworth,  Folivi

Subs – McDonnel (Gk),  Watson,  Pinnock,  Connolly,  Barcham,  Hanson,  McLoughlin

GILLINGHAM

Odds -- 9/4 (William Hill) 

Holy (Gk),  O'Neill,   Ehmer,  Ogilvie,  Fuller,  Reilly,   Byrne,  Da Silva Lopes,  Burke,  Eaves,  Hanlan

Subs –  Hadler (Gk),  Lacey,  Parrett,  Charles-Cook,  Campbell,  List,  Rees

H/T Score – 1 - 2   [Folivi 21']  [Hanlan 39', Burke 41']

First Half Comment;

We are underway at the meadow of kings as the fight for survival in League One continues onwards and upwards. Early attack for the Dons and Michael Folivi shoots over and then has another chance saved by the Gills keeper then Joe Pigott hits the post so it's a positive start in the opening fifteen minutes. 

First blood to Afc Wimbledon, and it's Michael Folivi scoring on 21 mins to give us the lead from a Scott Wagstaff cross, come on you Dons, we can do this. No we can't ... 2 goals in a couple of mins including a howler from Ramsdale in goal and we're 2-1 down now, wide open game few bookings too and this could be a key second half. Half Time approaches. 

F/T Score – 2 - 4  [Hanson 97']  [Lopez '50, Eaves 84']

Match Summary;

Very disappointing to concede two before half time and then another within five minutes of the restart. With other teams winning in the bottom all that good work feels like it's been undone. Still there's always next week and we have to keep believing but that just makes us feel down for the rest of the weekend now.

My Man of the Match – No one deserved it.

Referee -- Our referee for this afternoon's big derby game will be Lee Collins from Surrey an experienced football league referee used to plying his trade here in the lower divisions has had a few run ins with opposing team managers but then again who hasn't. 

Attendance – 4,847. 

Next match:
Saturday 30th March vs Scunthorpe United (Away)
League One 3:00pm

EMIRATES FA CUP 2019 -- SIXTH ROUND WEEKEND

This weekend sees the 6th round of this years FA Cup Competition sponsored by Emirates. Of the eight sides left in Millwall and Swansea still representing the Championship while both Manchester Clubs will be looking to progress for the Premier League. These matches will take place during the course of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March and are shared between the two broadcasters BT Sport and BBC Sport. We will also have a quick glance across all four matches and give our opinion of the likely victors and maybe a few bets along the way with a place at Wembley in the semi finals at stake;

Saturday 16th March 2019
WATFORD 2 vs 1 CRYSTAL PALACE
[kick off 12:15  BT Sport]

First of three matches on Saturday and in form Watford face Crystal Palace in what should be a fiercely contested cup tie. Watford suffered at the hands of Manchester City in the league last week but were doing really well until a duff referee decision allowed City to open the lead. Palace on the other hand also come in on the back of 2-1 reverse to Brighton. Both have match winning players, although I now hear Wilfred Zaha is out of the side due to injury so I think Watford will win as they are fielding a full strength XI, but will also be backing the goals (over 2.5) and cards markets. 

Bets - Cards over 45pts, Red card in match, Watford to win.

Result - Watford Win 2-1 and first time to reach the Semi Finals. Though a lively affair at times, the cards stayed in the refs pocket so we didn't collect on the other bets.

SWANSEA CITY 2 vs 3 MANCHESTER CITY  
[Kick off 17:20  BT Sport]

Manchester City seek to continue in their quest for more trophies and travel to Wales to face Swansea, while on paper this should be a comfortable win the Jacks are not to be underestimated despite their Championship status. Might depend on whether Manchester City put out a full strength side although their second string would still be a side full of internationals. Swansea should have nothing to lose and are very dangerous on the counter attack with pace. I expect goals so will probably be 0-0 now.

Bets - Penalty Awarded 7/2 (won), and over 3.5 Goals (won).

Result - City win 3-2 in dramatic style, picked up the bets too.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2 vs 1 MANCHESTER UNITED
[kick off 19:55  BBC One]

The big game on Saturday night live on BBC Tv and Wolves against Manchester United should be a cracker with both managers looking to play open attacking football this should be worth waiting for.

While Manchester might be focused on gaining a Champions League place in the Premier League they will look at this as a great chance to progress and gain silverware in the Cup. Wolves are comfortable in the top half of the league so surely would want to also make a big statement and give their fans at least one trip to Wembley with a semi final place up for grabs.

Bets - Both to score, over 1.5 goals in 1st half.
Also back Rashford to score for United and Jota to score for Wolves.

Result - Wolves won 2-1 got both goalscorers too.

Sunday 17th February 2019
MILLWALL  2 vs 2  BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Brighton WON 5-4 on Penalties AET
[kick off 14:00 BBC One]

The sole remaining game on Sunday will be live on BBC One and features the 2004 finalists Millwall who have a good record getting at least this far recently and will fancy chances at home against Brighton. That said Brighton have showing some form lately in the Premier League battling to stay up. Chris Hughton is no stranger to FA Cup success either and if able to play a full strength side this should be a good test.  

Bets - 0-0 Half Time (won) and draw in 90 mins (yes).

Result - 2-2 in 90 mins, dramatically we go to extra time. Loads of successful bets here this weekend. Draw for semi up after extra time.

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are up to, the semi final draw will be after the Millwall vs Brighton game on Sunday afternoon.

FA Cup Semi Final Draw;
WATFORD  vs  WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
MANCHESTER CITY  vs  BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Both matches are of course at Wembley and the ties should be played over the weekend of 6th/7th April.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2019 -- FRIDAY 15th MARCH (CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAY)

NATIVE RIVER BEATING MIGHT BITE IN LAST YEARS GOLD CUP

Congratulations to the connections and winning owner of PAISLEY PARK who stormed home to win yesterdays Stayers Hurdle a wonderful story. 

And here we are already it's the final day of the 2019 Festival and that means crowning a 'new' Champion in the Gold Cup. Have a great Friday, please bet sensibly. 

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 15TH 2019
1.30pm 2m 1f Triumph Hurdle	JCB Triumph Hurdle And we’re off for the final day ... race one on Gold Cup Day. The Triumph hurdle always run at a furious pace and unusually it's a relatively small select field of only fourteen runners. I remember this being about 26 runners back when the likes of Kissair was winning it.  So for this years renewal it's SIR EREC that they appear to have to beat, showing as even money favourite the bookies will be laughing if something does. Paul Nicholls has QUEL DESTIN here and looks the likely danger with a stack of Juvenile wins under his belt will be all the rage.  For something at a big price we look at FRENCH MADE one of many for Willie Mullins and has good jockey booked. Result -- 1st: PENTLAND HILLS 20/1.
2.10pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) If you thought the Triumph Hurdle was easy well it's about to get a lot worse beginning with the County Hurdle where 26 runners will now face the starter. They are headed by last years winner MOHAAYED who sprang a 33/1 surprise then and will be about those odds again with Bridget Andrews again on board.  MR ADJUDICATOR had a great run behind Farclas here in last years's Triumph Hurdle and is lightly raced so at 16/1 is very attractive today.  CROOKS PEAK and CAPITAINE look the best of the British challenge. Result -- 1st: CH'TIBELLO 12/1 .
2.50pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Just 20 for this before we get to the big race of the day, 3m on this ground looks like a test although Nicky Henderson seems to dominate the market with BIRCHDALE and DICKIE DIVER towards the fore.  ALLAHO should go well for Mullins and Walsh while at a big price I think ASK BEN can run a decent race and defy his odds of 33/1. Result -- 1st: MINELLA INDO 50/1.
3.30pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP A big field of 16 for the feature race of the whole meeting, but will probably come down to the two principals of last years winner NATIVE RIVER and this years King George at Kempton CLAN DES OBEAUX who appears to be improving this season but has a little bit to find against the favourite PRESENTING PERCY. Recent fancies returning for another crack include MIGHT BITE who appears to have completely lost his way after a gruelling battle here last year and THISTLECRACK who at least looks like he's beginning to show something of his old form but is fragile. Result -- 1st: AL BOUM PHOTO 12/1.
4.10pm 3m 2f 110yds Foxhunters Chase	Foxhunters Steeple Chase  Often referred to as the Amateurs Gold Cup this test of stamina on the same course and distance as the big race itself could . Have not seen much of the hunter chases this season so hard to know what to expect of the bulk of the field and with 24 runners it's going to be tricky although we found the winner last year PACHA DU POLDER - who reappears again seeking a hat trick in this contest, so you have to believe and tends to finish strongly so if still there at the last you would be expecting a big effort late on.  Plenty with strong chances, the jockey bookings might be important and STAND UP AND FIGHT as well as UCELLO CONTI are the pair I would have against the field. Result -- 1st: HAZEL HILL 7/2F.
4.50pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The Grand Annual Chase now as we begin to draw this years festival to a close, we have a field of 20 for this declared overnight. NOT ANOTHER MUDDLE for the Moore family could be in lightly and has been running well although as is the case for many this is a step forwards.  Both TOP GAMBLE and LE PREZIEN run well here and the latter won this last term but will need to be revitalised by the surroundings to score again.  GINO TRAIL is a lively outsider, can front run so should avoid any trouble and has been a winner here. 25/1 interesting. Result -- 1st: CROCO BAY 66/1.
5:30pm 2m 4f Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle	Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle Our finale is a 24 runner conditional jockeys affair named after the great trainer Martin Pipe, never been won by the son David and he is not even represented today.  We will just have a pair against the field in a wide open finale, BIG TIME DANCER and DAYBREAK BOY. Result -- 1st: EARLY DOORS 5/1. AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR 2019 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Results will appear here on Friday evening as I will be out all day enjoying the Gold Cup with my brother. Have a great day, you can rest tomorrow...until next time.

Enjoy the FA Cup and Six Nations Rugby !!