Has the weather caused the Scoop Six roll over?As we all now know, next Saturday the Scoop Six will complete its eleventh roll over, and there will probably be a possibility of one single punter winningnearly four million pounds. But I pose one question, would this have happened if the weather had not been so wet in the last few months? Let me explain my simple reasoning. 1. The never ending rain has caused the cancellation and abandonment of many fixtures on both sides of the Irish Sea. 2. Trainers are desperate to get their horses racing, as they do not want their main assets sitting around in the stable yard. 3. Because of television coverage and revenues, racecourses will cancel a fixture during the week if they think it will enable them to race on a Saturday. Either way, they will put vast effort into ensuring the weekend fixture goes ahead. 4. Because of the reduced number of fixtures and races, trainers are making sure their horses are entered into weekend race cards, and this means bigger fields for the Scoop Six nominated races - And as we all know, it is more difficult to pick the winner from a large field rather than a five runner race. My Point: There is no doubt, bigger fields make for more exciting and less predictable racing, and if everyone in racing wants to ensure the continued development of the industry, they will bear this in mind during the periods when they are not economically forced to race on a Saturday. In the meantime, let us all hope there are large fields for next week's Scoop Six races, as it certainly increases the chances of a single Joe Punter picking up the prize of a lifetime. Ruby out for several weeks.Ruby Walsh will be sidelined for several weeks following a kick to the stomach suffered during his fall from Pride of Dulcote at the second last fence of the finale at Cheltenham yesterday afternoon. Anticipating internal injuries, the ambulance crew took Ruby directly to Cheltenham General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a ruptured spleen. Following successful surgery to remove his spleen, Ruby is reported to be sore but on the mend. Recovery from such an operation is around three to six weeks, but Ruby will have to take great care of his health in the future, as the spleen is important in fighting infections and diseases. Harchibald will not run.Noel Meade has decided the ground at Punchestown is too testing for his nine year old enigmatic hurdler Harchibald, and he has been withdrawn from today's Maplewood Hurdle. Will we see the 2009 Champion Hurdler in action today?The Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon could hold the next Champion Hurdler. Certainly, today's favourite Ashkazar, was a strong mover yesterday in the Anti Post Market for next March's contest at the Cheltenham Festival, but it could be the four runner race on the other side of the Irish Sea which could be more significant. The Maplewood Hurdle at Punchestown contains the up and coming Jered, and the now fully fit Sizing Europe, and their form today should be closely watched. Normal Service returns for Bolger.Having been outsmarted by jockey Davy Russell, and thereby just failing to capture his sixth successive Cross Country Race at Cheltenham on Friday, Enda Bolger showed he was not to be outfoxed two days in a row, as he took first and third place in yesterday's Cross Country Race at Punchestown. Pre race favourite, Heads on the Ground, wearing the J P Macmanus silks, came to the last looking like the race would be a formality. But he made a mess of the fence, and was passed by two horses, including stable companion Drombeag, also wearing the Macmanus silks, and the 2007 Cheltenham Foxhunters winner proved too powerful for his rivals, going on to win in convincing style. Halcon will probably head to Chepstow.Halcon Genelardais proved his well being at Cheltenham yesterday afternoon. Despite carrying a massive weight, he was definitely closing on the front running Joe Lively as they climbed the Cheltenham Hill, and connections have indicated he will return to Chepstow on 27 December to compete for a third successive year in the Welsh Grand National.
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