chrisobee

No, I don't think so. The squad is : Jimmy Adams Michael Lumb Sean Ervine Nic Pothas Dominic Cork James Vince Michael Carberry Danny Briggs Chris Benham James Tomlinson Chris Wood Neil McKenzie Ali was included in the original squad but as in Weston Saints post above looks like he is still not fit, Dimi was not going to play anyway.

Always worth it's own thread. Preview of The Oaks and The Derby here : http://www.geegeez.co.uk/4966/epsom-derby-2010-preview/ Thoughts/tips here please

It's a shame Dimi is injured as the team for last night looks well balanced with 6 bowlers to chose from and strength in depth in the batting. Rather emphasises how important he is to us. As for the overseas player situation it would not surprise me in the least if Mendis didn't join since the situation with overseas players this season has been pretty farcical and the one who has played ( before last night) not really that inspiring. On the whole I don't blame Hants as circumstances have not been kind at all though I really would have preferred it had we signed a pace bowler as opposed to Herath. So with no Afridi or Lee I'm more than happy if we just go along with Razzaq who looks as if he actually wants to be here and could well be a key player. When asked how he saw his role his reply I liked, very good attitude : “I like both bowling and batting so I am happy to do either but, for me, it’s important to adapt my game to the needs of the team.” (He answers with great humility.) “That’s how I’ve made my name, by doing whatever needs doing and trying my hardest to do whatever is required.” “When I play cricket I am aware that I must be a professional. I am not only representing myself but also my team and my country. I’m here to perform well, to play positive cricket and to pass on experience if anyone needs it." In terms of Lumb perhaps Razzaq has put the curse on him by stating : “I only bowled one over to Michael in that match ( 20/20 Eng v Pakistan), but it was very clear that he was a great player, and an attacking batsman. It’s interesting because he’s only just gaining recognition as a player, but I feel sure that in a years’ time he could be the best batsman in the world.” Looks like a technical issue if he is getting out in the same way regularly but hopefully it is something he can work out, for sure he is another player who is key to our team.

Bob

Ah, Razzaq is playing, 1st 2 balls both hit for 4.

6/1 off 0.4, Key lbw Dimi 0.

Kent won toss and bat, teams : Hants JHK Adams, MJ Lumb, MA Carberry, ND McKenzie, SM Ervine, AD Mascarenhas*, N Pothas†, DG Cork, DR Briggs, CP Wood Kent RWT Key*, JL Denly, M van Jaarsveld, GO Jones†, DI Stevens, MT Coles, Azhar Mahmood, JC Tredwell, HMCM Bandara, SJ Cook, A Khan Looks like we are giving them a chance and only playing 10 men and not an overseas player in sight

breezer

Barbie

Chucky

Funny ( not!!)

Me

Good read but a bit on the dark side methinks

Prescott saddles 50 runners for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Believed to be a record number and with the yard being in such great form certainly worth keeping an eye on his runners including today as Frankie has pointed out. Placepots are a complete waste of money in my opinion, Kip did ( surprisingly) win yesterday but heard too many tales of woe including from the nipper himself who despite winning the placepot a while back actually managed to stake more than he won Mid summer madness has arrived, too much time in the sun:)

hamsters

thinks

smoke

For today: Newt 14:30 Souter Point @6/4 - Has been an expensive horse to follow. Second last time out at Ascot but not helped by wandering in running. Runs in blinkers today and with McCoy on board is expected to win today. Lingfield 2.50 Helaku - @ 15/2 Showed improvement stepping up in trip and entering handicap company last time out over 12 furlongs at Chepstow. Finished behind Oak Leaves that day and meets the Filly on the same terms today. However Helaku wasn't as well placed when the pace quickened and it's not hard to imagine the places being reversed if he is ridden closer to the pace this time. This slight drop in trip may encourage his jockey to do so.This is only his fifth race so he has the scope to progress over this sort of trip and the first time cheekpieces are employed in an effort to sharpen him up. Taken down early at Chepstow he is obviously not entirely straightforward but he may have inherited those traits from his quirky but ultra-talented, top class Sire. Newt 15:30 Back 1pt Mibleu @ 8/1- Trained by Robert and Sally Alner this ten year old gelding was second on his reappearance last time out at Worcester and connections are hopeful of a big run. 8/1 looks a big price for a C&D winner though I've a feeling he'll either win or finish nowhere ! Hamilton 3.40 Daring Dream @9/4 NAP - Ran well at Ayr last week to finish second and runs off a 1lb lower mark today. Conditions look ideal and definitely looks the one to beat. Hamilton 4.10 King of Eden @11/10 - Not one to get carried away with at the price and best left alone if going odds on. That said he is exceptionally well handicapped ( due to go up 8lbs) and Eric Alston has got him running very well. Maybe one to include in a double. Cheyenne Red looks the obvious danger. Wetherby 6.30 Hippolytus ew @ 7/1- A wide open race but the selection looked to be on the upgrade last time out and if building on that could go well especially with the going and trip looking pretty much ideal. Sandown 6.45 Invincible Lad @ 5/1 (General) A competitive sprint handicap and one in which Osiris Way, perfect Alchemy and Piscean (if he gets the breaks) are not easily dismissed. However Invincible Lad is capable of producing a performance which it would be difficult for the rest to surpass. he wasn't disgraced in listed class last time out where he faced a daunting task at the weights and that followed a respectable effort in a very competitive York handicap on his reappearance (lost his chance at the start). He is competitively weighted on several turf performances last season , not least a close third from a two pound lower mark in this race. He subsequently went close at Goodwood from today's mark and finished the campaign by running well from five pound higher in the handicap. This race lacks the strength in depth of most he has competed in and he has a reasonable draw in stall eleven. His in form yard send just one to a track where they have a 30% strike rate (3 from 10) in recent seasons and they have employed a jockey who is 3 from 4 on their horses over the same period. Sand 7.50 Directorship - @ 8/1 /Habshan Each Way @ 14/1 : Another competitive handicap. There are plenty who are capable of winning from their current marks, although some need to return to form. From toward the bottom of the handicap, Directorship is taken to build on the two solid performances he has produced this season. He gives the impression he has improved for another Winter on his back and he returns to the scene of his sole win to date, a C/D Maiden last July. The assessor has raised him two pounds, and this is a slight step up in class, but he has the profile of a horse who could find improvement this season, so his current mark may not be beyond him. He has a good draw and today's jockey has a profitable 15% strike rate for the yard from limited opportunities in recent seasons. Alan Munro is the jockey on board the Chris Wall trained ten year old Habshan who was fourth last time out at Ascot in a a race where the form has worked out well. Looks likely to come on for that and worth an ew bet at a decent price. Sandown 8.55 Bowser's Brave - e/w @12/1 Left poor debut run on turf well behind when staying on well for third in 1m maiden at Kempton in April. Not given a hard time on qualifying run since, and now stepped up in trip for handicap bow. Good luck, Chris

Miserable

Very true

Doubtfire

Brahms

Lol Take it as a compliment Andy, I only generally insult people I like !

Not a bad day at all, 3 good winners including my NAP and for once Frankie and I not putting the mockers on. Nice win for Frankie in Miss Keck, an old school teacher of yours perchance Cheers, Chris

That is simply brilliant. Still at the initial stages but already so much it can do. Very impressive, thanks for sharing Oh yes, this is a pretty good place to put it, very few of the muppets venture here I suspect, St Landrew was just a blip