PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2019 SEASON -- MEETING #15 IS OFF !!

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2019.

Welcome to our fifteenth meeting of the season on Monday 7th October. 

1st race 2:00pm, gates open from around midday.   * Inspection at 7am Monday, as a result of this inspection today's meeting has been abandoned due to a waterlogged course. 

It’s the penultimate raceday of the 2019 season at Pontefract and the third of the ‘All About the Racing’ Racedays on Monday 7th October. With just shy of a month left in the 2019 flat calendar, trainers are looking to get their final turf runs into their horses’ campaigns and hopefully finish the season off in style.

On Monday there are seven exciting races on the card which will get underway at 2.00pm. The track holds a 1m2f race for two-year-olds and this is one of the longest races run in the UK for young horses and has been won by horses who have gone on to prove their abundant stamina. William Muir’s tough ‘Just Hubert’ won last year and has won three times this season while Mark Johnston had the first and second in 2017 with his talented stayers 'Austrian School' and 'Making Miracles'. With a stiff finish, Pontefract is one of the more testing courses in Britain and a tough gritty horse is needed. So who will add their name to the role of honour for this year?

The feature race on the card is the £15,000 Leslie Burton (Fisher) Handicap [15:00] which was won last year by Hughie Morrison’s ‘Sod’s Law’ (pictured left). There’s also the penultimate round of the 2019 Pontefract Stayers Championship [15:30] in which there looks like being a grandstand finish as Rubenesque and Forewarning look to continue their battle for supremacy in the title of Ponte’s top stayer in 2019. We also caught glimpse of a future Triumph Hurdle contestant when Nelson River was runner up to Sempre Presto in the 1m4f handicap. The previous year, Cornerstone Lad took the honours so keep an eye out for a few future hurdlers lurking amongst the entries again this season.

ALL of our results for these fixtures are recorded 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. We arrive here on the back of a small loss last time which does mean we are still trailing on -43.24 points to SP as we come into the fifteenth meeting and are now heading towards to final few 'furlongs' of the season. The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Soft, heavy in places' and our weather for Monday afternoon is for a wet day with plenty of rain likely to arrive, the forecast maximum temperature around the 12C mark.

A link to this afternoon's race card can be found here

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;

To confirm again that today's meeting has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track with further rain expected on Monday. The FINAL meeting will hopefully take place here on 21st October. 

14:00 1m 2f 5y Novice Stakes (2yo).
(1) -- JUSTIFIED.
(2) -- SALAMANCA SCHOOL.

14:30 6f Nursery Handicap (2yo).
(1) -- SPYGATE.
(2) -- STROXX.

15:00 1m 6y Handicap (3yo).
(1) -- CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD.
(2) -- MODAKHAR.

15:30 2m 2f 2y Handicap.
(1) -- BODACIOUS NAME.
(2) -- SOFT SUMMER RAIN.

16:00 1m 6y Handicap (Div One).
(1) -- VIVE LE DIFFERENCE.
(2) -- SILVER DUST.

16:30 1m 6y Handicap (Div Two).
(1) -- INTERNATIONAL LAW.
(2) -- FRANKSTER.

17:00 1m 4f 5y Handicap (3yo).
(1) -- GRAZEON ROY.
(2) -- LINCOLN TALE.

17:30 1m 6y Maiden.
(1) -- CATHEDRAL STREET.
(2) -- WEMYSS WARE.

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

As we reach the conclusion of the 2019 season it's been a sad story of chasing our losses, while the selections are out of our hands with this system we are on a deficit of -43.24 coming into our fifteenth meeting today with just one more meeting to follow this. 

Our last meeting for 2019 here will be held on MONDAY 21st OCTOBER so we really hope you will join us for the finale.

NFL 2019 INTERNATIONAL LONDON GAME 1 -- CHICAGO BEARS vs OAKLAND RAIDERS

The new NFL season is a month in but this weekend we will have the first of the four NFL International London Games, the first two of which will be at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium (Below) and then there are two further games at Wembley to enjoy. Let's get straight into the opening game and it's the Chicago Bears against the Oakland Raiders which will be played this Sunday 5th October and kick off will be at 6pm which will coincide with the early afternoon games in the USA. The games will be on SKY and the NFL sites, only the two Wembley Games will be on free to air BBC channels and on their websites. 

The new stadium still on the old site of White Hart Lane has a capacity of 62,062, making it one of the largest stadiums in the English Premier League and the largest club stadium in London. It has been designed with the NFL in mind and will be host for at least 10 years with the likelihood of a UK Franchise in the future. 

Sunday 6th October
Chicago Bears vs Oakland Raiders @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Another sell out crowd is expected for these popular matches and kick off will be at 6.00pm (Uk Time). 

Current season record 

  Oakland Raiders
    - P4 W2 L2 F79 A102
  Chicago Bears
    - P4 W3 L1 F66 A45

Head Coach - Jon Gruden

Week 5 of the regular season and while both teams are "away" in London technically this is a home fixture for Oakland Raiders of the AFC West Division. The Raiders with head coach Jon Gruden calling the plays from the sidelines will have Quarterback Derek Carr leading things for the offence on the field of play. Oakland played at the Indianapolis Colts last weekend (won 31-24) and arrive with an even record after week four (W2-L2) and when you concede 25 points per game on average you will need to tighten up the defence else their play off hopes are going to vanish fast even this early in the season. Oakland Raiders key players to watch (other than the QB Derek Carr) included Tyrell Williams (Wide Receiver) and for the defence Johnathan Hankins (Defensive Tackle).

Head Coach - Matt Nagy

The Chicago Bears (NFC North) led by head coach Matt Nagy and Quarterback Mitch Trubisky need to show they are more than a decent defence and before they pack their kit for a trip to London will face a difficult game against the Minnesota Vikings (result 16-6 win) although games in London do tend to be a lot more open than traditional home/away fixtures, I expect an open game, and hopefully it'll be full of exciting high scoring plays. Key players to watch (other than the QB) Bilal Nichols (Defensive Lineman) and for the offence is Adam Shaheen (Tight End) if they can both stay fit this season should have a big say in how the Bears fare. *Update* during their win at Minnesota quarterback Mitch Trubisky went off injured in the first quarter with a shoulder injury so doubtful for this match, was replaced by Chase Daniel who is likely to start as a result. 

Both teams will then have a bye week [week 6] to recover from their travels following these matches.

Previous visits to London?
Oakland have been involved in FOUR International games, twice travelling to Mexico and twice here in London where they have lost on both occasions a 38-14 defeat against Miami Dolphins (2014) and a 27-3 loss to Seattle Seahawks (2018) so maybe it'll be third time lucky in London for the Raiders. This is the 2nd international series game that the Chicago Bears (NFC North) having played here in London eight years ago at Wembley when they beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers (24-18) in Oct 2011.

It will be a full house and the crowd will be roaring both teams home. Expect the stadium to be full of shirts of ALL NFL teams (there might be a few Tottenham Hotspur fans around too I suspect). 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. 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. 

I'm going for a Chicago Bears win and over 40+ points in the match, also backing the over 20+ points score at half time too. 

1st Quarter;
We've just had the coin toss, with Tottenham striker Harry Kane who is a big NFL fan keeping a close eye on proceedings so now the ceremonies are over the crowd is ready and its Chicago to kick so we'll soon see this awesome Bears defence in action. Pat O'Donnell kicks off to get us underway in the first of four games here in London. Very little to speak off yet as the 1st quarter comes to the end Oakland Raiders take the lead with a 12yd Touchdown run from running back Josh Jacobs (Daniel Carlson kicks the extra point) and it's 0-7.
2nd Quarter;
Chase Danial, standing in for the injured Mitch Trubisky, is not having a great day early on and is intercepted in their first drive of the 2nd Q, allowing the Raiders another opportunity to score, which they do a few plays later with a 3yd rush from running back DeAndré Washington and it's 0-14 once Carlson converts the extra again. Chicago can't get going at all and another Daniel Carlson kick, this time a 41yd field goal, extends the lead to 0-17 as the half time draws near.

H/T Score;   Chicago Bears  0 -- 17  Oakland Raiders.
Chicago have only completed 44 yards this half compared to Oakland's 208 and Chase Danial has a lot to do in the second half to get the Bears back into this.

3rd Quarter;
Oakland make a big mistake and turnover the ball losing it on their own 14 yard line (fumble by Derek Carr, recovered by Khalil Mack). Chicago take it in from just a yard out as David Montgomery runs in. Eddy Pineiro adds the kick and the Bears are right back in this 7-17. Chicago are back on another drive soon after starting on their own 11yd line, 11 plays later they have moved 80yds down the field and looking at a 1st and Goal which is soon converted into a touchdown by Chase Danial who passes to Allen Robinson from 4yds and the score is 14-17 it's game on now with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. Suddenly the turnaround is well and truly completed, Allen Robinson didn't have a touchdown catch all season. He's just claimed two inside three minutes. Chase Daniel lofts it up to the pylon, where Robinson plucks it out of the sky and for the first time this evening the Chicago Bears take the lead!
4th Quarter;
So far the final quarter has been all about Oakland missing chances, a drive all the way into the Chicago red zone ends with a fumble and a recovery for the Bears then the Raiders think they have an interception only to find the play called back for a foul on the Quarterback, seems harsh but with eight mins to go there's plenty in this still. 

Raiders go for broke on fourth down and Erik Harris fumbles. But the officials rule he was down by contact so it's Oakland's ball and the Raiders keep rolling, with Derek Carr making a 23-yard throw to tight end Foster Moreau followed by a 16-yard grab again by Moreau taking Oakland to Chicago's two-yard line at the two-minute warning. Josh Jacobs finishes the job with his second touchdown of the night, leaping over the top to complete a 97-yard drive in 13 plays. Oakland retake the lead with under two mins left. Was that a game-winning drive orchestrated by Derek Carr?

F/T Score;    Chicago Bears  21 -- 24  Oakland Raiders.

The next game in London will be on Sunday 13th October again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is between Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

AFC WIMBLEDON v ROCHDALE LEAGUE ONE SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER 2019

Welcome to our next home game of this season still seeking that first win and now without our manager Wally Downes. More of that later let us instead look forwards to this Saturday when we will be hosting Rochdale at Kingsmeadow, with plenty of hope and maybe just maybe that first win is not far away. Get behind the lads and expecting more goals from Marcus Forss who should be available again after his suspension and with Nesta Guinness-Walker plus Joe Pigott we can perhaps see some goals today.

FORM GUIDE
(Last 6 matches from last season in their respective leagues, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LLLDLD
Rochdale -- LLDLWD

LAST TIME OUT

Peterborough 3 - 2 AFC Wimbledon
Rochdale 0 - 3 Wycombe W

While we were losing our manager and getting beat 3-2 by Peterborough last weekend, leaving us firmly in the bottom three still on just 3 points, Rochdale were themselves losing again 0-3 at home against Wycombe Wanderers although that comes on the back of an impressive showing against Manchester United in the league cup going out on penalties. This result places Rochdale on 10 points and they reside in 18th position in the league one table. Our last meeting with Rochdale was in February and resulted in a 4-3 victory for the Dons including a Joe Pigott hat trick, yes we would welcome another one of those games! Six points adrift already so we need to start bridging that gap otherwise we are going to be down by the end of the year. Come on you Dons get at them

Not sure if there will be further news about Wally Downes position by this weekend but the following statement was made by the club confirming his suspension;
"Club manager Wally Downes has been suspended from first team duties pending further notice. The club has been informed that Wally has been charged by the FA for Misconduct under FA Rule E1(b) in respect of 8 bets placed on football matches between 30 November 2013 and 12 July 2019. Given the seriousness of this breach in FA regulations, the club has decided to suspend Wally with immediate effect, giving time for the club and Dons Trust boards to look at the allegations more closely and make a further announcement in due course." Wally had until Friday 4th October to appeal so we await the outcome, Glyn Hodges takes control in the meantime. 

Line ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 7/5 (William Hill) 

Trott (GK),  Thomas,  Kalambayi,  Nightingale (c),  Wordsworth,  Wagstaff, ⚽Pinnock,  Sanders, ⚽Osew, ⚽Forss,  Pigott

Subs – Tzanev (GK),  Hartigan,  Stabana,  Folivi,  Guinness-Walker,  Reilly,  Appiah

ROCHDALE AFC

Odds --  15/8 (William Hill) 

Sanchez (GK),  Matheson,  Keohane,  Andrew,  Norrington-Davies,  Williams,  Morley,  Camps,  Rathbone,  Wilbraham,  Tavares 

Subs – Lynch (Gk),  Ryan,  Baah,  Bradley,  Gillam,  Hopper,  ⚽Henderson

  

Selected Bets on today's match;

  Penalty Awarded @7/2
  Red Card Shown @9/2
  Over 1.5 Goals in 1st half @2/1 ⚽⚽ YES!!
  Marcus Forss to score anytime @8/5 ⚽ YES!

⚽H/T Score – 3 - 0 [Forss 2'  Osew 16'  Pinnock 28']

First Half Comment;

What a start for the Dons, after Rochdale kick off it's the Wimbledon players that get us going and win an early corner then on two mins our on loan striker Marcus Forss scores a volley after his return from suspension and gives us the lead. Thankfully he doesn't get booked for the celebration this time and this is a wonderful start. And it's getting better as 16 minutes on the clock the Dons are 2-0 ahead following a fine goal from Paul Osew with Scott Wagstaff who is having a good start to this match playing at right back today. Wagstaff is having a blinder of a half so far and sets up Mitch Pinnock for the Dons third, yes 3-0 and it's not even half an hour gone. Further chances for both sides before the half time whistle is blown and it's been a very entertaining game so far and I think our long overdue first win is coming.

⚽F/T Score – 3 - 2

Match Summary;
The first half demolition proved enough for the Dons first win of this season and although conceding twice in the 2nd half was disappointing it turned out fine in the end as their second goal came four minutes into stoppage time so the game was fairly safe even then. Leaves us still in the bottom three but plenty to enjoy and closes the gap to the teams above us. Southend lost again and we'll be travelling to them for a "must win" game next weekend.   

My Man of the Match – Scott Wagstaff, helped to get us off to a great start in the first half and experience is needed this season.

Referee -- Our referee today is confirmed as James Oldham from Derbyshire who has taken five league two games this season so is making a small step up (although we are bottom of league one so it's not that high) is only in his second season as a football league referee but has experience in the National (Conference) and below. Will have assistance from Christopher Wade and Stephen Finch on the touchlines.

Attendance – 4,068.  

Next league match:
Saturday 12th October vs Southend United (Away)
League One 3:00pm