Rob North

If Buttler was backing up out his crease then he was trying to gain an advantage and if you do that you risk the consequences. If indeed he was given a warning then that decent of the Sri Lankans though they have to do it. I played cricket for 30-odd years down in Berkshire before moving up to Scotland and the accepted etiquette was that the bowler gave you one warnnig after which you were fair game and could not complain if run out. A mate of mine had the 'stop the bowling action and hover the ball over stumps as a warning' technique off to a T. I can't remember him actually running anybody out that way but the point had been made and batsmen were more cautious after. Nothing to stop a batsman stretching ready to run while leaving his bat just in the crease if he's looking to shorten the run a yard or two. The bottom line is that batsman was out of his crease and the Laws of the game state that he can be run out. If he is then it's not gamesmanship, it's playing to the Laws. The whining eminating from some of the England camp does them no credit. Rob

He was a competent performer agaibst cr*p opposition, which does help!

CHESTER Three against the field in the Chester Cup at 2.45 are: Desert Sea Gala Evening Double Banded The first two have sound recent form from Kempton to carry forward. Double Banded was fourth last year and would appear to have had this race as a target. He's one I've liked since seeing him win at Newcastle at couple of years back. In the 3.15, the 5f handicap An Tadh On the face of it badly drawn in stall 11. But two inside are non-runners meaning it will effectively run from stall 9, given that they 'shift up' when stalls are empty. Stall 9 takes it below the psychological no-no double figure draw. Not perfect but with a recent win at Dundalk on record 23 on Betfair looked OK to me. Kelso 4.45 A lot of 'ifs and buts' in this event, and gppd reasons for opposing most. I'm going against the grain a bit here, but I'll have a little on EIGHT FIFTY SIX, who stayed on for fourth from miles behind off a fast pace in the Highland National at Perth. They won't go so fast here and he is best on the prevailing quick ground. Just keep a weather eye out at Kelso though since rain wouldn't help. The previous race at 4.10 ranks as one of the poorer handicap chases of the season in Scotland. Most of the runners have two gears, 'very slow' and 'stop'. I'll be fascinated to see which one accidentally wins here, but money will not be ventured! Rob

That was a solid performance. A typical Southwell event where the race is won by the one that can keep up the gallop longest. Showed enough determination to see off the favourite on the nod. It will be interesting to see whether his All-weather mark go up and turf mark stays the same. If that's the case he'll be an interesting one to take into turf sprint handicaps in the next month or two. Rob

Carrietau once again flattered to deceive. I noted him when I went to Hexham early in the season running quite well in a novice chase, he often runs prominently but offers nothing in the closing stages. I think he will need to meet a field full of 'faint-hearts' if he is to win a race at the moment.