Clive Delights Us All
Clive Brittain is one of my favourite people in horse racing and today on the last day of Royal Ascot, he produced Zaidan to win the Chesham Stakes at 7-1. I did not back the horse, but I picked it out from the Racing Post and told friends, who did put some money on.
So why did it stand out? That is difficult to say, but the horse had won its last race, it had a good jockey in Seb Sanders and it just looked like another time when Clive had got it right, just as he did here.
I was so pleased to see the 75-year-old Clive dancing with joy. Clive to me sums up, what you can achieve from humble circumstances with hard work and a bit of well-applied thinking.
Long may he win, as every time he does, it makes me feel better.
Let’s All Support Nobby
Nobby Stiles, one of the heroes of 1966, has had a very small stroke.
I wish you well Nobby and here’s a deal; you get well and I’ll try to do the same!
What is it about a problem shared?
A Statue of Arthur Lowe
It is being unvieled today in Thetford according to the California Chronicle. The reference shows how far the much-loved TV series, Dad’s Army, has penetrated the world’s pysche.
Perhaps, the UK and especially England’s beleaguered sportsman could learn a lot from Captain Mannering’s ragbag collection of heroes.
Could It Be The Recession?
So England have underperformed, but so have virtually all the fancied European teams. Only the Dutch have done reasonably well!
But it’s not just the footballers, as lately the tennis and rugby players have been abysmal too! Only the golfers and cricketers have exceeded expectations.
I just wionder if it is the effect of the recession. Everyone knows people who have been hit hard and sportsmen are probably no exception. So how many have said things to their old school mates, like I’ll get everybody cheered up by bringing the World Cup. And these promises are making them all nervous. I suspect now with all the social networking and web sites, that some may have gone a bit over the top! Remember that the French have been worse than us and the Germans and Spanish about the same. All live in a similar society now!
But could those promises and that pressure turn it all round? Let’s see what happens to Spain and the Germans before England play again on Wednesday! If they perform well, I think we will!
What’s Up With England?
I saw them in Belarus. The way they played that night, they could have put at least four or more past Algeria.
Do you like Frogs, Boiled, Fried or With Tortillas?
The French really surrended to Mexico last night. Let’s hope England are better tonight!
And what happened to the Germans? They missed a penalty!
Farewell to a Brave Man
I’m not the greatest fan of rugby union, but I can remember Andy Ripley in his pomp. Andy has just died after a long and valiant battle against prostate cancer. He will be remembered for a long time.
ITV Gets It Wrong Again!
I watched some of the Dutch game on ITV. Where they give the scores they use HOL to indicate The Netherlands. But the BBC use something like NTH.
Obviouly, ITV and most of their viewers don’t know that Holland is just a province of The Netherlands.
Perhaps, Ishould change the tag in this blog, before I get corrected.
The World Cup Goes Cuckoo
Or should it be cuckoo clocks, with the Swiss beating the much-fancied Spain?
And then we have the ambush-marketing row over the Dutch and their orange mini-dresses! I have every sympathy for them, as Budweiser is crap American beer, that has no place in a sport, that is not mainstream in the United States. In truth no-one should be locked up for the way they dress. Budweiser is also not gluten-free. so I can’t drink it. I suppose if I were in South Africa I’d be drinking Diet-Coke or some excellent South African wine. I’d love to know what coeliac friendly alcoholic drinks are available in the stadia for the World Cup.
It will be interesting to see what happens the next time the Dutch play. I wouldn’t bet against enterprising street traders selling everything they can find in orange and we’ll see strapping Dutchmen in orange T-shirts with matching wigs.
New Zealand Get a Draw
As one of the least-fancied teams in the World Cup this was a bit of a surprise. They’ll be a bit of tension down-under, especially as the Aussies weren’t very good a few days ago.
But good luck to them, although to get out the group they’ll need to beat either Italy or Paraguay.
It was good to see Ipswich’s Tommy Smith giving a mature performance at the back.
The Anonymous Widower 