No worthwhile flat horse racing for months now. Only stupid all-weather handicaps...
I am gripped by the Chess. D!ng versus Gukesh! with the splendid GM Maurice Ashley presiding.
See the exclamation marks?
My jaw dropped when Gukesh! played Ke1 in game 7 which was drawn. I was watching without commentary or computer hints. A stupid meaningless move! He lost all his winning edge.
Whatever was he thinking? I would have played Ke2 and taken my chances in a tense but manageable position.
Kings need to get to the centre in the endgame. But what do I know?
Ah well, Game 9 now on:
http://worldchampionship.fide.com/
The spectators have the advantage of being able to see what the Computer thinks. The players can't. 😀
I am gripped by the Chess. D!ng versus Gukesh! with the splendid GM Maurice Ashley presiding.
See the exclamation marks?
My jaw dropped when Gukesh! played Ke1 in game 7 which was drawn. I was watching without commentary or computer hints. A stupid meaningless move! He lost all his winning edge.
Whatever was he thinking? I would have played Ke2 and taken my chances in a tense but manageable position.
Kings need to get to the centre in the endgame. But what do I know?
Ah well, Game 9 now on:
http://worldchampionship.fide.com/
The spectators have the advantage of being able to see what the Computer thinks. The players can't. 😀
Last week someone running with the football jumped completely over the defender, when the defender was standing up almost completely straight, without touching him. Very impressive.
I bet your friends call you "The Memory Man"! I think you are referring to Jameson Williams of Detroit leaping over the Chicago defense in the Thanksgiving game:
I was rather hoping Da Bears would do my Vikes a favour and win this typical NFC dogfight. Since the World Record leap is 8 feet plus, it didn't look hard to me.
Amazing Game 11 in the chess. Gukesh! destroyed D!ng in this game. This is D!ng's position after Gukesh! has doubled his rooks on the B file. 5 pieces against 3 on the B pawn.
It's all over. I don't know why D!ng didn't preserve some dignity and resign there and then. 🤣
I was rather hoping Da Bears would do my Vikes a favour and win this typical NFC dogfight. Since the World Record leap is 8 feet plus, it didn't look hard to me.
Amazing Game 11 in the chess. Gukesh! destroyed D!ng in this game. This is D!ng's position after Gukesh! has doubled his rooks on the B file. 5 pieces against 3 on the B pawn.
It's all over. I don't know why D!ng didn't preserve some dignity and resign there and then. 🤣
Even more impressive was bearing the Packers given the Lions defense is the definition of 'walking wounded'.
I always look at Points For and Against in the NFL. Detroit are way best in the NFC, and the Bills are way best in the AFC,
The Chiefies aren't actually too hot on points. Interestingly, Detroit entertain the Bills next week.
You can guess who I will be rooting for... sorry. 😆
The Chiefies aren't actually too hot on points. Interestingly, Detroit entertain the Bills next week.
You can guess who I will be rooting for... sorry. 😆
Interesting that the former record for attendees at a test series from 1937 (350,354; Aus v Eng) has been broken, with 373,691 attending the Australia v India test in Melbourne. So it appears Test cricket is alive and well!
Maybe there was nothing else to do in Melbourne....seriously, that's good news for Test cricket.
I haven't been to a Test since the late 70s, when 'patrons were limited to two dozen cans of beer per person' (!?).
One of the last matches was a West Indies/Australia game when Australia was all out on the first day by 5.30pm, Kim Hughes made 100 with a broken toe and Dennis Lillee took two or three wickets including the great Viv Richards. Most of the crowd were still chanting "Lillee, Lillee" for what seemed like half an hour after stumps.
The last game I attended was an Ashes Test where Chris Tavare of England bored the crowd into submission with the most tedious batting I'd ever seen. To liven things up, someone started an ice fight (i.e. grabbed ice cubes from their Esky coolers) which gradually made its way around the crowd, not fun.
Geoff
I haven't been to a Test since the late 70s, when 'patrons were limited to two dozen cans of beer per person' (!?).
One of the last matches was a West Indies/Australia game when Australia was all out on the first day by 5.30pm, Kim Hughes made 100 with a broken toe and Dennis Lillee took two or three wickets including the great Viv Richards. Most of the crowd were still chanting "Lillee, Lillee" for what seemed like half an hour after stumps.
The last game I attended was an Ashes Test where Chris Tavare of England bored the crowd into submission with the most tedious batting I'd ever seen. To liven things up, someone started an ice fight (i.e. grabbed ice cubes from their Esky coolers) which gradually made its way around the crowd, not fun.
Geoff
Here's the picture. Formerly mighty Manchester United's Harry Maguire has just headed a 93rd minute winner in the FA Cup last night against the plucky minnows of Leicester City in front of 73,000 nervous home fans:
Detect any hesitancy in celebrating from most of the forward line, who are Professionals? Bit like when the slip cordon and wicketkeeper don't go up in cricket despite a rabid appeal from the bowler.
THEY ARE EXPECTING OFFSIDE TO BE CALLED!
But NO. The goal is given. Doubtless the Referee and Linesman (on the far side, exactly in line with the United front 4) will receive a bunch of flowers from the Manchester United board after the game.
At the end of the day, all the winners won and all the losers lost. But I hope United get an away draw at Liverpool in the next round as comeuppance.
Very much looking forward to NFL "Swiftiebowl" on Sunday. I am on the Iggles, which is usually the kiss of death to any team.
But the Americans usually do a better job of officiating than our woeful British counterparts.
Detect any hesitancy in celebrating from most of the forward line, who are Professionals? Bit like when the slip cordon and wicketkeeper don't go up in cricket despite a rabid appeal from the bowler.
THEY ARE EXPECTING OFFSIDE TO BE CALLED!
But NO. The goal is given. Doubtless the Referee and Linesman (on the far side, exactly in line with the United front 4) will receive a bunch of flowers from the Manchester United board after the game.
At the end of the day, all the winners won and all the losers lost. But I hope United get an away draw at Liverpool in the next round as comeuppance.
Very much looking forward to NFL "Swiftiebowl" on Sunday. I am on the Iggles, which is usually the kiss of death to any team.
But the Americans usually do a better job of officiating than our woeful British counterparts.
Media and especially BBC darlings, Manchester United, need all the help they can get.
And an FA Cup game with no VAR is an ideal opportunity.
It's like the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
It says you can only make a £105 million loss over any three year period.
Here's Manchester United's profit and loss figures for the last five years.
2024 -£113.2M
2023 -£28.7M
2022 -£115.5M
2021 -£92.2M
2020 -£23.2M
Yet they're deemed not to have broken any PSR rules.
Something smells very fishy
The FA Cup yesterday was a bust for Frank Lampard's and mine own Coventry City. We managed to lose 4-1 at home to the Ipswich Town reserve team, fielding 11 changes from their usual Premier League side.
Ah well, we can now concentrate on the League! 😢
I switched to the Rugger at Twickers:
Why is Gareth Southgate there? Is he hoping to watch another Englandn team that does worse than his soccer team as a sort of consolation?
Amazingly, Englandn beat the French 26-25. And reignited hopes of winning something.
This man is Englandn Rugby's lucky talisman. He must be invited to every game. 🤣
Ah well, we can now concentrate on the League! 😢
I switched to the Rugger at Twickers:
Why is Gareth Southgate there? Is he hoping to watch another Englandn team that does worse than his soccer team as a sort of consolation?
Amazingly, Englandn beat the French 26-25. And reignited hopes of winning something.
This man is Englandn Rugby's lucky talisman. He must be invited to every game. 🤣
So, Jordan Mailata from your team was the first Australian to play in a winning team in a Superbowl. Played well too.
I doubt if you need much skill-set to play Offensive Tackle. Just be 6'8" and 365 Lbs and be described as a "Human Wrecking Ball".
In fact Jordan Matata was recruited solely on that basis, knowing nothing about "American Football" or more correctly Football!
I am old enough to have watched William "The Refrigerator" Perry play for Da Bears in the Eighties on grainy black and white television. So, unusually for a Brit, my roots go deep.
He was also called "Biscuit", as in one biscuit short of 350 Lbs.
Much talk on the radio today as to what a "Cheesesteak" is. I of course have thrived on the things at London's best American sportsbar, named Passyunk Avenue in honour of Philadelphia, where you used to be able to buy Nick Foles T-shirts and fall in love with Emily the waitress. But doubtless from today are selling Jalen Hurts ones.
TBH, Philly are only my third team after my first pick have usually been knocked out. The Vikes are my first love, followed by the Ravens. All built on DEFENSE! Which wins Superbowls, as everyone knows.
I haven't seen the highlights yet, but listened up to midnight and 17-0 to the Iggles. I am too old now to attempt to stay up to 4 in the morning. I also thought Taylor would be too despondent to sing at halftime, but don't yet know.
Best Regards from Steve in Portsmouth UK.
In fact Jordan Matata was recruited solely on that basis, knowing nothing about "American Football" or more correctly Football!
I am old enough to have watched William "The Refrigerator" Perry play for Da Bears in the Eighties on grainy black and white television. So, unusually for a Brit, my roots go deep.
He was also called "Biscuit", as in one biscuit short of 350 Lbs.
Much talk on the radio today as to what a "Cheesesteak" is. I of course have thrived on the things at London's best American sportsbar, named Passyunk Avenue in honour of Philadelphia, where you used to be able to buy Nick Foles T-shirts and fall in love with Emily the waitress. But doubtless from today are selling Jalen Hurts ones.
TBH, Philly are only my third team after my first pick have usually been knocked out. The Vikes are my first love, followed by the Ravens. All built on DEFENSE! Which wins Superbowls, as everyone knows.
I haven't seen the highlights yet, but listened up to midnight and 17-0 to the Iggles. I am too old now to attempt to stay up to 4 in the morning. I also thought Taylor would be too despondent to sing at halftime, but don't yet know.
Best Regards from Steve in Portsmouth UK.
Extraordinary day at the Racetrack for me and my two apprentices Jean and Denise.
The situation was a four horse race at Newcastle. Overnight, 3rd best horse Albert Hall inexplicably dropped out.
This left Carrados at 1-25 odds on! Remember the Bear was a sensible 10-1, and Luna A Inhbir Nis an unlikely outsider at 50-1.
I decided to duck this race. But the girls got bees in their bonnets about aforementioned (You try spelling it on a betting slip...) Luna A Inhbir Nis.
Something to do with the name being Lunar and about the Great Planetary Parade they have been following in the news. I mean, really!
Complete no-hoper IMO. But the pound wagers were laid.
Seems Carrados was also a non-runner, so this wretched nag WON at a sadly shortened price, overturning then 1-6 odds on favourite Remember the Bear!
I had a bit of a result myself. My friend Clare, ever competitive, studied my racecard and picked out a shortish double. Since, amazingly, she won 75 pounds, she felt obliged to give me 10%. 7 pounds 50!
This being because I had given her 10% of my 3 pound winnings on a tip she gave ME a while back. Which was a poor 30 pence.
Order was restored in the science of horseracing when Psychic Denise fancied a horse called "Spitritualism" on the 20.00 at Southwell.
I restricted her to a pound wager, and warned her of the dangers of gambling, though she wanted 5 pounds on this 33-1 shot. IT CAME LAST!
The situation was a four horse race at Newcastle. Overnight, 3rd best horse Albert Hall inexplicably dropped out.
This left Carrados at 1-25 odds on! Remember the Bear was a sensible 10-1, and Luna A Inhbir Nis an unlikely outsider at 50-1.
I decided to duck this race. But the girls got bees in their bonnets about aforementioned (You try spelling it on a betting slip...) Luna A Inhbir Nis.
Something to do with the name being Lunar and about the Great Planetary Parade they have been following in the news. I mean, really!
Complete no-hoper IMO. But the pound wagers were laid.
Seems Carrados was also a non-runner, so this wretched nag WON at a sadly shortened price, overturning then 1-6 odds on favourite Remember the Bear!
I had a bit of a result myself. My friend Clare, ever competitive, studied my racecard and picked out a shortish double. Since, amazingly, she won 75 pounds, she felt obliged to give me 10%. 7 pounds 50!
This being because I had given her 10% of my 3 pound winnings on a tip she gave ME a while back. Which was a poor 30 pence.
Order was restored in the science of horseracing when Psychic Denise fancied a horse called "Spitritualism" on the 20.00 at Southwell.
I restricted her to a pound wager, and warned her of the dangers of gambling, though she wanted 5 pounds on this 33-1 shot. IT CAME LAST!
I do sometimes wonder if you diy people have a sporting bone in your bodies. 🙄
In a 62 page ruling today, a High Court Judge ordered the Paddy Power bookmaker to pay up the Million Pounds it owed this sporting lady:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gl2n2n14o
Long story short, Paddy Power claimed she only won because of "Human error" in not satisfactorally rigging the phone roulette game. And offered her a paltry 20,000 Pounds.
The Judge sternly reminded the bookmaker that the punter should not be responsible for their mistakes. And awarded the Million.
I have had no such trouble with the splendid BetFred bookmaker. When my "sure-fire winner" Plage De Havre (half brother of the legendary Pyledriver) was inexplicably robbed of its hard-fought first place by the stewards, well, you can imagine my crestfalleness.
I tried it on with my turf accountant, coincidentally also named Paddy, and he asked me what my horse had done. "Oh just a bit of the old bumping and swerving across Path to Dubai, natural in a good race amongst high-spirited horses."
"Oh that's alright then. We pay out on BOTH horses!", quothed he. Then thrust Four Pounds 50 into my sweaty little mitt. I will definitely wager with BetFred again.
By some inexplicable coincidence, a chestnut gelding called High Court Judge has won 6 of its last 7 races.
😀
In a 62 page ruling today, a High Court Judge ordered the Paddy Power bookmaker to pay up the Million Pounds it owed this sporting lady:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gl2n2n14o
Long story short, Paddy Power claimed she only won because of "Human error" in not satisfactorally rigging the phone roulette game. And offered her a paltry 20,000 Pounds.
The Judge sternly reminded the bookmaker that the punter should not be responsible for their mistakes. And awarded the Million.
I have had no such trouble with the splendid BetFred bookmaker. When my "sure-fire winner" Plage De Havre (half brother of the legendary Pyledriver) was inexplicably robbed of its hard-fought first place by the stewards, well, you can imagine my crestfalleness.
I tried it on with my turf accountant, coincidentally also named Paddy, and he asked me what my horse had done. "Oh just a bit of the old bumping and swerving across Path to Dubai, natural in a good race amongst high-spirited horses."
"Oh that's alright then. We pay out on BOTH horses!", quothed he. Then thrust Four Pounds 50 into my sweaty little mitt. I will definitely wager with BetFred again.
By some inexplicable coincidence, a chestnut gelding called High Court Judge has won 6 of its last 7 races.
😀
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"I do sometimes wonder if you diy people have a sporting bone in your bodies"
Well, there's 'sport' and 'business'; for many years now, high level "sport - whether it's F1 or horse racing, football, tennis, cricket or basketball - is really a business and I don't enjoy watching much of it.
Geoff
Well, there's 'sport' and 'business'; for many years now, high level "sport - whether it's F1 or horse racing, football, tennis, cricket or basketball - is really a business and I don't enjoy watching much of it.
Geoff
I may have posted this some time ago, but here's some sport: the only thing I don't like about this is the docked tails, which are no longer allowed in the UK or Australia:
Value!
Geoff
Value!
Geoff
The Australian Grand Prix this year was, for a change, a fascinating race, largely due to to Melbourne's 'four seasons in one day' weather. 34C on Saturday for practice, then 16 and pouring rain on race day. Three cars, including last year's winner, were out before the first lap had finished.
As the race progressed, the weather improved, then got worse, so there were tyre changes aplenty and various spins, trips into the scenery etc: for once, it wasn't like watching slot cars. Local favourite Oscar Piastri was a close second until he put a wheel onto a white road line and ended up in the grass slippery dip.
So that's the "televised traffic" for another year.
Ironically, non-championship races were held at Albert Park in the 1950s and featured names like Moss, Brabham and Behra, but were banned on noise grounds due to the presence of a nearby hospital. Today's cars are much louder....
I was at the 1958 event, although I can't remember it at all, but my uncle took some great shots of 250Fs, Coopers and other great cars charging around the lake.
Geoff
As the race progressed, the weather improved, then got worse, so there were tyre changes aplenty and various spins, trips into the scenery etc: for once, it wasn't like watching slot cars. Local favourite Oscar Piastri was a close second until he put a wheel onto a white road line and ended up in the grass slippery dip.
So that's the "televised traffic" for another year.
Ironically, non-championship races were held at Albert Park in the 1950s and featured names like Moss, Brabham and Behra, but were banned on noise grounds due to the presence of a nearby hospital. Today's cars are much louder....
I was at the 1958 event, although I can't remember it at all, but my uncle took some great shots of 250Fs, Coopers and other great cars charging around the lake.
Geoff