Tuesday 8th July 2014

The owners of Gran Maestro enjoyed a stable morning at trainer Dr Richard Newland’s yard on Saturday, they were able to watch Granny “stable name” work on the gallops with jockey Sam Twiston Davies riding whilst have a look round the yard and see 2014 Grand National winner Pineau De Re.

Richard was his normal enthusiastic self and spent plenty of time with all of the owners answering any questions plus informing how he trains his horses and telling a few funny stories. It was a great morning and good to meet the new members involved with Value Racing Club.

Brazil somehow keep marching on towards the World Cup final, the hosts have certainly rode their luck and been given plenty of help by the officials along the way, it’s probably sour grapes but I still think Chile were good as anybody in the tournament.

Colombia didn’t turn up for the first ten minutes against Brazil in the quarter finals, they conceded a poor early goal but were causing Brazil plenty of problems once they got going. That was until Luiz smashed in a free kick from 30 yards that 99 times out of a 100 would have hit row Z for Chelsea last season. Colombia did find the back of the next but couldn’t force the equaliser.

Although this World Cup has been great entertainment the quality of football played hasn’t been anything special, there is no stand out team and the finalists are very difficult to call. It’s fairly obvious the officials are giving every decision they can to the samba boys but their luck must run out at some point.

With Neymar out injured and Silva suspended for tonight game against Germany who’ve also not looked anything above average it could be a very tight game. I’m not picking a winner but think it could go to extra time and penalties.

Whatever happens this evening I think the winner will be playing Argentina in the final.

No racing selections today but the July meeting at Newmarket starts on Thursday, plenty of good action takes place over 3 days so hopefully we might be able to find a few winners.