Award for short-sighted knock-back [...]; Off The Leash Muttley.

Award for short-sighted knock-back of the week has to go the off-course firm who refused to accept a pounds 150 morning-price wager at 9-2 on Corrig Count from BBC and Sky TV betting pundit Gary Wiltshire. 'They only offered me pounds 50, so I told them to stick it up their arse', he explained after Seamus Cahill's dog had obliged at 2-1 at Hove on Tuesday, 'But I bet they'll be back on the blower for a mention next time I'm on the box. I wouldn't mind, but I've had 28 bets on that account, and backed 26 losers. It doesn't seem very fair.' It isn't Gary. Welcome to our world.

David Hood, William Hill's man for all seasons, was known to have the odd battle of wills with Lord Lipsey during the latter's BGRB days. Well word is that the pair are going hood-to-head again, but this time in a charity harness clash. The meeting is at the Hereford &Border Harness racing club, Home Farm, Allensmore, on Sunday, August 16 (1pm start). Billed as 'The Hood' versus 'The Lord of the Reins', it should be real Ben Hur stuff.

Loved the Inside Track with Joe O'Gorman in Wednesday's paper. The colourful layer has clearly l st none of his wit and passion for the game judging by his lively answers. And it's no wonder he's se tled so well into his new Harlow pitch, after winning two recent Jackpot pools at the Herts venue. hat'some 9,000 reasons to be cheerful by my calculations.

And still on the subject of Harlow, full marks for the local management team in continuing to exploit every avenue in providing vital revenue for the stadium. This morning they will be on site to welcome a film crew shooting a pilot for a new comedy sketch show, as six 'folically challenged' actors are filmed chasing a toupee. Quite literally a case of 'the hair's running'.

As a lover of the weirder canine names, I couldn't help googling Tuesday's Sheffield Bags winner ryptospyridium, which looked a promising monicker. Having now read all about an intestinal par site that exists in water supplies, I wished I hadn't - I think I'll take mine neat from now on.

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