WLKRAS

Friday 10 August Man Utd v Leicester 2-1 Saturday 11 August Newcastle v Spurs 0-2 Bournemouth v Cardiff 1-1 Fulham v Crystal Palace 1-2 Huddersfield v Chelsea 0-3 Watford v Brighton 2-1 Wolves v Everton 0-3 Sunday 12 August Liverpool v West Ham 2-0 Southampton v Burnley 1-1 Arsenal v Man City 1-3

I'm in again this year: Red's Rampant XI

Terrific jinxing though

Depends on which Croatia turns up imo.

Suppose I've got a chance of getting out of the groups, but can't see it going further than that

SkyBet gave a random 2 quid free bet, so I've stuck it on Brazil, France, Germany and Spain to win all their group games at 66/1 for a laugh

We used to pay 65 for dual fuel with Sainsbury, but the Mrs has just switched us to Bulb cause they're supposed to be a fair bit cheaper. That's in a 3 bed-semi with me permanently working from home and constantly turning up the heating because I'm forever cold.

And still, Baggio. Oh Yes Oh Yes OH YES! WHAT A GOAL BY BAGGIO!

Best set him up with a Twitter tips account.

Haha, fair play Mozza Jr.

I don't really rate the Dante form, because of the way it was run, but he did reverse form with Crossed Baton and James Cook from the previous Epsom race. My main pick for the race, Dee Ex Bee was second in the Epsom race, so on that formline I have to give him a chance. Four places with sky at 66s atm

Was hoping you would come in to put up another big priced Oaks winner, as I don't fancy anything. All over Dee Ex Bee for the Derby though, market suspended atm for decs, but the 25s on offer before that was generous especially in softer ground. Not sure what price he'll be when we reopen after the draw, but anything over 16s I'd be interested in

Paid

I rang an old buddy of mine in the Met the next day. It was the Friday before Christmas and while many were winding down, the Met was preparing itself for a busy weekend. My friend sounded harassed when he answered the phone. “Chandler” he breathed in his hoarse voice. “Ray! It’s Marlowe. I know you’re busy, so let me get straight to the point. What can you tell me about Andy Jones’ death?” I asked him. He let out an expletive and said: “Haven’t heard from you in a while. Still chasing ambulances?” “Not quite” I answered, gruffly. “Right” he replied. “Andy Jones. Was that the car crash?” “Supposedly” I said “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, “The daughter thinks he was murdered” I said bluntly “She’s out of her mind. Guy drove straight through a red. The garbage truck had no chance... ” “You got that on camera?” I interrupted. “No, but..” “Also, what’s a garbage truck doing, driving around late at night? I don’t know about you, but my trash gets picked up in the day-time” “Oh-kay, I see what you’re getting at. But as far as the brass is concerned, this case is closed” Chandler said. “So, you can send me a copy of the file?” I tried to put a cheerful note in voice, but failed. “Ah look Marlowe, you’re not going to cause a whole load of trouble, are you?” he asked again. “I never cause trouble” I lied. “Yeah sure. I’ll see what I can do about the file, but don’t expect it before Christmas. This place is manic” “Sure thing, Ray. Thanks. Have a good one” “You too Marlowe” he rang off.

I’d dug up the newspaper report on the death of Andy Jones. It made for grim reading. When I dug a little further I found the report that said the police had completed their investigation and that Jones himself was to blame for his death after ignoring a red light. An eyewitness had come forward to say he was behind Jones and he saw him deliberately run the red light. The case was closed as far as the Met was concerned. Meanwhile, a complete unknown called Sam Spade had been appointed Orient manager. His first game in charge would be on Boxing Day.