Messages

Calling Nicholls a "sinking ship" is a bit harsh but clearly he no longer has the top class artillery which would justify to Ruby the personal upheaval associated with working in two countries.

I got the impression at least once at Cheltenham (that French bred in the RSA which won the December Gold Cup at 4) that Ruby was riding a Nicholls runner simply to placate the Ditcheat man as Mullins had the superior horses in most championship races.

Desperately disappointing from Camelot and no real excuses offered. He's just not the horse he looked this time last year.

I have my doubts over Dawn Approach's stamina. He has loads of speed on the dam side. It looks a moderate renewal so he might just get away with it but he's a very skinny price. New Approach was 5/1 and Sea The Stars was 11/4 to win their Derbies.

I certainly can't have him at the price. Applying any rational judgment, you can't believe now that he has a better chance of winning the Derby than he had of winning the Guineas a week before the race. So I won't have a bet at half the price. Frankie on a decent Coolmore hope is an interesting prospect. The vibes seem to be that they may let Magician take his chance.

Going to have a look at the two continental contenders.

Absolutely astounding that the late opportunity wasn't tapped over the bar. Given the way the match was going, surely Sligo would have won in extra time.

Camelot thumped this afternoon. Definitely thought the interference during the week was intentional, he deliberately barged into a horse when there was no gap there. Contrast that with Cathy Gannon's patience yesterday (albeit very different types of races).

So, does Dawn Approach stay?

Well some on getting as far as you did BC. A couple of your old footballing adversaries would have been on the same route! Fantastic achievement to raise as much as you have for a great cause and I think your openness is commendable and hopefully  acts as an inspiration to others to think different about this issue.

And as for the run, it could have been worse;

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NIBuREwNur4

[There is a generation of good Armagh footballers passing through Armagh underachieving year after year]

My first thought when I read that statement was disbelief, which was quickly followed by sympathy.
The grammar and spelling strikes me as a statement written without much thought in a desperate bid to rise above all of the criticism. I can only assume that his actions followed a rough players meeting where he has decided to absorb all of the blame in an effort to keep a frustrated dressing room?

Ill say it again. Armagh county board are a joke. There is a generation of good Armagh footballers passing through Armagh underachieving year after year, with managers who are clearly out of their depth.

Who are these players that you think should be winning Ulsters and contesting All-Ireland Finals [which is what I think you mean by underachieving] I accept that Aaron Kernan and Jamie Clarke are at the very top echelon of footballers so no need to make a case for those two.

I don't consider failing to reach an All Ireland final underachieving. I do consider losing our last 4 championship matches and winning 3 of our last 16 in League and Championship to be underachieving however.

Good man Tony. Its clear I was well oiled after a night and afternoon sampling Cavan's finest nightspots if I was introducing myself to random strangers off tinternet. A few other gaaboard stalwarts were spotted over the course of the weekend, including the departed Our Nail Loney, sporting a Cavan top.

I'll not worry too much about being identfied. My theory on this and other similar websites is that I say nothing I wouldn't put my name to in any case.

Let nobody be under any illusion that Armagh are facing into a very difficult challenge tomorrow. Our recent championship record, the Down match in 2011 apart, makes sorry reading so any suggestion that, even if we were at full strength, we would be dismissing Cavan is a bit fanciful. Add in the fact that we are away from home and missing our most natural defender (Morgan), possibly also one of key defenders in recent years (Donaghy) and definitely what has been arguably our most established midfield partnership (Toner and Vernon) and its very difficult to predict what might happen tomorrow. The positive for Armagh of course is that, unlike the vast majority of our matches in recent years, we have what I believe to be our key trio of Kernan, McKeever and Jamie Clarke in place. I still think we'll just about squeeze home but with the teams priced at 4/7 and 15/8, there's little doubt in my mind that Cavan represent the better bet.

Any views on the Guineas lads? Trying to talk myself out of a reasonable bet on Dawn Approach but he's a very solid favourite in my view. My concerns were the lack of a run this year and having not been tried over a mile but the history books suggest both can be overcome.

Some weekend for Ryan Moore- Kentucky Derby Saturday night then the Oaks Sunday afternoon!

I hope you had a decent wedge on TAM.

Thanks DH, I had a big bet by my own standards so delighted. Never a moment's worry really. Nicked place money with Moth today too. She finished very strongly after hitting a bit of trouble in running. Favourite for the Oaks now.

Parish Hall must have some sort of a chance against Camelot tomorrow in receipt of 5 pounds and with the advantage of a run? St Nick was thumped at long odds on in the same race last year.

Any views on the Guineas lads? Trying to talk myself out of a reasonable bet on Dawn Approach but he's a very solid favourite in my view. My concerns were the lack of a run this year and having not been tried over a mile but the history books suggest both can be overcome.

Some weekend for Ryan Moore- Kentucky Derby Saturday night then the Oaks Sunday afternoon!

Sorry Mickey, you're right, I'd mixed that up in my head. Not sure where that leaves my considerations. Notable that Salsify thumped Oscar Delta on soft to heavy back in February.

Give me a shout about a pint in any event (hopefully with the winnings!)

Any fancies for tomorrow?

Heading down myself and really looking forward to both the day's racing and Naas tomorrow night! Like the look of Shin a Vee in the first and White Star Line in the second. strongly fancy Salsify to avail of the softer ground for a more convincing triumph this time round.

Ah, the system is sound as it is now. You have finals and Champions from 4 Divisions. It gives 8 teams finals (and two more semi finals). It's grand as it is. Can you imagine how much of a dead rubber Division 4 would be if there was a team dominating early on in the League campaign. With only one team qualifying and no relegation, games could be meaningless with two to three rounds to go.

From recollection, the second team in Divisions 3 and 4 always got promoted, they just didn't make the League quarter-finals.

I think all you lads calling for his disqualification need to seriously ask yourselves why you are pursuing this. I don't think it is any coincidence that he is black.

I'd bet on him to be disqualified so am motivated by greed not race.

I graciously accept your profuse apology.

26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but not found, is in the hazard, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or

Part (b) seems to say he is free to move the ball as far back as he wants ....... ?

Only if its in a line with where it entered the water and the hole. Tiger's initial shot hit the flag and then entered the water. A line between the two points would be in a completely different position to where Tiger played from.