Men who jangle the change in their pockets. Particularly when in a confined space, like a lift on in a queue - so there's no escaping it.

Perhaps I need to breath in and ignore, but it still pisses me off.

Nor does it help that senior BBC reporters like Laura Kuenssberg persist in an aggressive line of questioning that suggests there was "a serious intelligence failure" that allowed this guy to do his thing on Westminster Bridge.

I really DO want a free press, but I'd like to think that the institution (that we fund as taxpayers) operates with more dignity and responsibility. Just what does she/they think they are achieving by brow-beating our already underfunded and overstretched security service?

Apparently there are 3000 "persons of interest". It takes 30 people to monitor one person 24/7 in real life and on line. He wasn't one of the 3000, and his last conviction was for something unrelated to terror in 2003.

When will the BBC's reporters be briefed that their job is to report on the news, and not to create news where is doesn't exist?

I hate twitter.  Every time something happens you can almost sense the excitement of people getting to show just how much they care.  No event is too tragic if you get to pontificate on twitter and get some attention.  Ghastly invention for vacant shallow people.

Big +1

The genie is out of the lamp, I fear.
Interesting to see that it's only the suspension of major advertisers' money that is forcing Google to do anything at all about its radical content (both end of the spectrum) on YouTube

Hi mate

LOL re "too busy earning a salary to make money"

The FTSE is at an alltime high (if I'm not mistaken), so there's always a possibility of a "correction" on any kind of bad news. If it were me, I think I'd sell half my Boohoo to a) recover my original investment (ie free roll it), then b) rebalance my mini portfolio or c) diversify into a new sector with the released funds

If too busy, just do a) then follow up with b/c whenever time permits. You don't want another Laird day!

Atb

Just in case anybody followed my rec on Galliford Try:

They've proposed a merger with the previously troubled Bovis Homes, and whilst talks continue they continue to scoop up Bovis shares at prices below the proposed merger valuation.

Galliford have just announced YE results, revealing that they have some way to go in improving their own margins in the construction division. They continue to perform well in their Linden Homes division, their land bank looks strong, and the order book is stronger (again) than in previous years. The share price has now reached a 12 month high, and if you'd acted when I mentioned them you'd be looking at a tidy return over a relatively short term.

However, for the record, I'm not convinced by the commercial sense of this merger. My fear is a dilution of the GFRD management values, too much more emphasis on the low-margin construction division, and potential for skeletons in the Bovis cupboards. So, for these reasons, I have sold 66% of my holding to bank a serious gain, with a watching brief until this merger has been resolved.

That's enough from me. Nirvana, what ya up to? Any thoughts on your own positions?

And the time traveller gets the £2k back as a voided (push) bet. Lucky, perhaps?

I'm not sure if this information is of any value, but I'll put it here in case any of our boxing shrewdies can make any use of it:

Was in Chorals this pm when a travelling person placed a £2000 win bet on Isaac Lowe in tonights fight (start approx 21:00). He was 6/5 in the shop but 11/8 readily avail online for this European Featherweight Title fight.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2017/01/ceylan-defends-european-title-lowe-march-18-aarhus/

I hope the link's worked, as I'm just using my phone for this

Hoping to hear soon that you're back in the saddle, Tony

Arsenal vs Bayern

14/5 on generally avail (29/10 Skoy & Bfaier) looks way too big for the Arse at home. Their next match is Lincoln in the FA Cup, so there's no need to rest any of the key players. With Wenger perhaps still wanting to keep his contract options open, he'll definitely be wanting to field a strong team capable of winning the game, if not progressing to the next stage. They have a history of going a long way behind after the first leg, and then winning (but not by enough) the second leg - twice against Bayern themselves.

For their part, Bayern may well field a weakened team, since they just need to contain Arse to a 3 goal advantage... That shouldn't be difficult, even without Phillip Lamm, who is suspended. Of course it would be handy to wait for the team announcements later tonight, but this price would potentially go very quickly south.

On balance, I think the price is extremely generous (I'd have it closer to 13/8). So, I'd recommend £50 Arsenal at 14/5

Any other opinions welcome. I can get us on with Everyday if Fred decides to go ahead.

SS-GB made its debut last night on the Beeb.

It'd been getting a substantial amount of promotion throughout the organisation, so I flicked it on in high anticipation. I was not disappointed.

I thought the production design team did a great job in recreating London locations of the 1940's - although I did note an absence of bomb damage. The premise is that we lost the Battle of Britain in 1940 and the Germans achieved a relatively bloodless victory. Can't say I recall seeing Sam Riley's acting skills before, but he is an excellent lead in this detective drama that draws you in on so many different levels. I feel that they've moulded credible characterisations of all the English and German protaganists, including the simmering evil of the senior SS officer deployed to London.

So far, so very good.

Too much mumbling, or maybe I'm going deaf

Shame, that. I forgot to set the timer, so haven't seen the second part yet. And after what I thought was a promising start.

Meanwhile, I haven't missed an episode from the new Homeland series. Never ceases to impress.

Now that I know Chompy's method, I'm in for 1 x £25

Patriots Day- story of the Boston bombings and hunting down the bombers afterwards. Honestly a bit boring I did well to see it out 4/10.

Made by the same bunch that did Deepwater Six. That was pretty tedious too. Avoid this kind of 'reconstruction of real events' rubbish at all costs. Had thought better of Wahlberg, but there you go.

Winter Derby

Battalion £20 EW (1/4 1-3) 11/2 NRNB

Potential winning: £177.50

Booked

Winter Derby, Lingfield, Saturday

There must have been a lot of money for Mutakayeff over the last few days, since its price has been hammered in from 5/2 into 11/8 at best but mostly 5/4. This Al Maktoum gelding trained by Haggas has been off the track since last September, but has gone out and won fresh before. But not on the AW, and most recently its been competing over 8f rather than 10f. In addition, he's giving 5lb to the field. The price seems far too short for me, and it perhaps presents an opportunity to back an alternative at a better price than expected.

Interestingly, Battalion was formerly trained by Haggas until 3 races ago. Jamie Osborne quickly got the horse into stride. Winning 2 of those 3 races over 10f on the Lingfield AW, the second of which was in Listed company. Both were impressive wins. Most recently, he was 3rd in a race when denied a clear run in the home straight, but looked to have lots in hand and was only beaten ~1.5L - again in Listed company. The handicapper put Battalion up 2lbs for this run, but that looks generous for a gelding that is still improving, proven on the track (4 wins in total) and distance, and getting 5lbs against a favourite that has questions to answer about the track if not the distance.

Given a ride that puts him in better position for a late run, I think Battalion at 9/2 generally available is a good bet, particularly if Willie Carson is back in the plate.

Open to other views, but happy to recommend £20 to win at 9/2

5/1 BetVictor if anyone is able to help out please

http://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/ante-post-racing/flat/winter-derby-stakes/winner

no problem if not, i can take 9/2 later

It's now 11/2 on everyday 1/4 1-3. The price drift is a worry, but since all the money is for the Fav, it's hard to see Grendisar reversing placings on the last run (in view of Battalions trouble in running), whilst Convey has no form on AW and its turf form doesn't threaten. George Baker's the jockey booking on the selection - same as last run - so Osborne has kept faith. If we want to go ew on this now, I can get us on at 11/2 NRNB.

Winter Derby, Lingfield, Saturday

There must have been a lot of money for Mutakayeff over the last few days, since its price has been hammered in from 5/2 into 11/8 at best but mostly 5/4. This Al Maktoum gelding trained by Haggas has been off the track since last September, but has gone out and won fresh before. But not on the AW, and most recently its been competing over 8f rather than 10f. In addition, he's giving 5lb to the field. The price seems far too short for me, and it perhaps presents an opportunity to back an alternative at a better price than expected.

Interestingly, Battalion was formerly trained by Haggas until 3 races ago. Jamie Osborne quickly got the horse into stride. Winning 2 of those 3 races over 10f on the Lingfield AW, the second of which was in Listed company. Both were impressive wins. Most recently, he was 3rd in a race when denied a clear run in the home straight, but looked to have lots in hand and was only beaten ~1.5L - again in Listed company. The handicapper put Battalion up 2lbs for this run, but that looks generous for a gelding that is still improving, proven on the track (4 wins in total) and distance, and getting 5lbs against a favourite that has questions to answer about the track if not the distance.

Given a ride that puts him in better position for a late run, I think Battalion at 9/2 generally available is a good bet, particularly if Willie Carson is back in the plate.

Open to other views, but happy to recommend £20 to win at 9/2