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Hello, Elle!
Actually Ruby fell twice today.
Yes, Nina is no stranger to riding horses for Willie.
She was an obvious choice to deputise for Ruby.
I have backed 3 horses in the National.
Katie's, Nina's, and one trained by Rebecca Curtis.
Rickie is not doing well. He won't make the cut off point.
Jordan Spieth is still leading.
I read today somewhere that David Walliams is dressing up as Simon Cowell for BGT. Not sure if Cowell will be there.

Hi, Rusty!
Are all three horses that you have backed competing in the main race?
If so, where do your loyalties really lie?
Which would you prefer to come first?
Are you still rooting for Nina , now that she is back in the competition?
It is a pity about Rickie - I guess everyone has his/ her off days!
Where does the cut - off point in golf come? Presumably below a requisite number of strokes by a certain stage? but I'm afraid I don't know what and where?
We don't as yet have any specific plans for the weekend........just take it as it comes!
I take it you will be very much involved with all your sporting commitments tomorrow?!
And of course, BGT!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, chosen three against the field.
If any one gets in the first five home I shall have a profit.
I think I would like Nina to do best.
But I have a lot of favourites in different sports.
Not sure where the cut will be but Augusta is playing tough!
Sunday will be a marathon for me.
Paris-Roubaix is live on Eurosport from just after nine o'clock.
They should get to Roubaix around four o'clock, with Cancellara in the lead, hopefully!
It is 257 kms.
A long day in the saddle.
Then the golf!
May be Monday before I catch up with BGT!

Good morning, Rusty!
How are you today?
I'm assuming that you will already have been out for your paper so as to get a good start to your day, as you will be very busy?
Fell dreich here! I hope your weather is better than mine?
Though we are told it will brighten up later.
We are waiting for the rain to stop ( or at least slacken ) before we go out walking!
It rather sounds as though tomorrow will be even more hectic for you sports -wise?
Tell me, why does the Paris- Roubaix race start from Compeigne?

Top of the morning to you, Elle!
Fine morning after the rain.
Compeigne?
The "why" I do not know. Possibly Pigale will know?
The "when" was in the mid seventies.
Before that for several years the start was at Chantilly.
Before that it was always Paris.
Probably to shorten the race but not leave out any cobbles would be my guess. The one-day classics are very long indeed.
I am on plan B regarding the National.
Rebecca Curtis has withdrawn her horse overnight and 39 go to post.(So much for the reserve system!)
So, I am investing in Davey Russell, a jockey who I like a lot.
His hobby is drinking tea!

Hi, Rusty!
Tea! Ugh! A disgusting beverage! I never drink it!
So why can't the horse that was in forty-first place, now take this vacancy created by Rebecca withdrawing her horse?
Then there would be the full complement of horses running?
It's beyond my ken!
That reminds me of the old radio programme "Beyond Our Ken".......do you remember that?
I liked that .....and "Round the Horn" which followed it.
Did you listen to them?
Very funny!
Still damp here , although there are signs of a watery sun coming out......will give it another hour, then we shall have to go out regardless.
Time marches on !

Good Morning everyone,

Hi Elle and Rusty,

Beautiful morning here so far -

Compiegne departure; I think that the organisers were forced to move from Paris to Chantilly and then Chantilly to Compiegne mainly because of infrastructure developments - new roads being built, etc...; all this being done carefully in order to keep a certain number of kms on the cobbles, but without lengthening a race already quite long.

I hope the weather is fine around Roubaix tomorrow, otherwise this dodgy race will be even more dangerous!

As it's Grand National day, I feel entitled to get on my other high horse. Here's a clue from today's Times Cryptic...

20 D. Forces taking a turn, discussions announced (7).

I'm with you all the way on the way on this one, Malone!
There isn't even an 'r' in one of the words ! so how on earth can they be pronounced the same?

Hi, Pigale!
A watery sun is beginning to prevail here...we shall be going out shortly now that the rain has stopped.
Thank you for the explanation - I did wonder why the race supposedly began from Paris.......