AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND - FOOTBALL AND HORSE RACING

There are many events over this busy weekend which is of course the August Bank Holiday too it will see plenty of Football, Horse Racing and Heritage Railway events too. This Saturday while AFC Wimbledon are away to Sunderland looking for a big result in League One this season (lost 3-1) 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. I have also been accumulating some new N Gauge items including non runners most of which I have been able to get going again so will be nice to take a few and see if the N Gauge layout / test track is available. 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 Monday being a Bank Holiday I will make a day out and just hope that the weather stays fine to enjoy it and then it's a short week back in the office before the month ends. 

This Bank Holiday Monday [26th August] the plan is to head over to the Isle of Wight and take a ride on their Heritage Steam Railway as well as the "Island Line" which runs from the Ferry at Ryde Pier Head down to Shanklin. The connection at Smallbrook Junction allows us to pick up the Steam service towards Haven Street and Wootton. Over each August Bank Holiday weekend, the railway organises the Island Steam Show, Bursting with surprises, the 45th Island Steam Show is an action-packed event and great family day out! 

There are bundles of fun in the main arena with The Hogg Show and Reel Stunts in Action. Watch the silly traction engines games, be awe-inspired by Haven Falconry’s birds of prey and enjoy a variety of displays and attractions to keep the whole family entertained throughout the day! And it's not just the Steam Trains and engines there's plenty for all around the Show, climb aboard the traditional fairground rides, marvel at the fascinating working steam demonstrations, relish the sight of beautifully maintained traction engines, vintage cars, motorcycles and old wagons, or simply settle back for a steam train ride through the Island's unspoilt countryside. To complete your day out, meet the Blackfoot Lodge in their Red Indian encampment, browse around the fascinating stalls, pick up a bargain from the country crafts. There are opportunities to cool down with an ice cream or a glass of your favourite tipple from our Real Ale bar, and enjoy a good variety of refreshments. Should be a fun and busy day.

While I am away though there are a few race meetings on though not as busy as I used to recall but then maybe my memory is not what it was. Horse racing on the flat at the likes of Chepstow, Epsom Downs, Southwell 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 and good luck if you travelling anywhere this weekend with rail strikes a plenty along with the regular disruption and closure of London Kings Cross station for Engineering work and the never ending HS2 and Crossrail kerfuffle. 

Quickly putting up a selections taken from the main race (based on prize money) one from each of the following meetings on Bank Holiday Monday;

CARTMEL
3m 1f+ Handicap Hurdle (5:00)
 -- MR CLARKSON for David Pipe was a winner here in July and the seven year old is starting to show some decent form and ought to be right there along with the other hat trick seeking runner DR ROBIN [WON 8/1] for trainer Peter Bowen who also won here last month in fact has won over both hurdles and fences so plenty to like. 

CHEPSTOW
2m Sir Gordon Richards Handicap (4:55)
 -- Just the four runners and best to stay on side with DISTANT CHIMES who is most likely to keep his winning sequence going. While both GRACEFUL LADY and CHARLIE D [WON 4/1] are also proven over this sort of trip it's a bit of a step up in class and if this is run at a reasonable pace will need a career best to stop the Sir Mark Prescott runner.

EPSOM DOWNS
5f Handicap (3:05)
 -- The five furlong "Dash" handicap will be run at a furious pace as always and can go to DUKE OF FIRENZE [2nd 6/1] despite his advancing years is more than capable of getting his head in front and with plenty of experience this course holds no fears. Queen of Desire also fancied to run well here even with top weight.

RIPON
Ripon Champion 2yo's Trophy (3:55)
 -- The best race on the weekend here and there are seven 2yo's running for the listed prize worth £17k+ to the winner. Richard Hannon's OH PURPLE REIGN has been busy winning three times this year and runner up three times too. Saeed Bin Suroor runs the Godolphin owned PLATINUM STAR [WON 6/4F] who has the single best piece of form here when runner up in the Windsor Castle stakes at Royal Ascot. KEEP BUSY is a progressing filly to keep an eye on but it's LAMBETH WALK the filly to back here rated similar to Oh Purple Reign but gets a handy weight allowance.

SOUTHWELL
5f Handicap (3:35)
 -- FANTASY KEEPER continues to run well and might go off favourite today so will look at couple of course and distance winners in SAMOVAR and WARRIORS VALLEY against the field.

DOWNPATRICK 
2m 5f 160y Giltspur Scientific Handicap Hurdle (3:25)
 -- HELLO PILGRIM [3rd 7/1] / BRACKA LADY.

Whatever plans you have for the weekend hope the weather stays fine for you all and enjoy your long weekend break.