From the pages of racingpost.co.uk, which I frequently peruse to keep in touch with the Sport of Kings .......

Astrologer Jayne Headon has been drafted in to help Britain's favourite four-legged loser, Quixall Crossett, prepare for his 100th race at Southwell, on July 22. Jayne is plotting the 16-year-old's horoscope in the run-up to the landmark race for thehorse, who holds the modern-day European record for running 99 races and losing every one of them. The gelding, trained near Middlesborough by permit-holder Ted Caine, already has his own fan club and website. "It's not about trying to predict if he will win. We are using astrology to understand more about Quixall, his behaviour and his abilities," says Jayne, who hosts a weekly astrology slot on London radio station, Millennium FM. "Looking at Quixall's chart, I can see that at the time of his race, his moon forms an angle with Uranus that will help to bring out his more unique and unusual qualities. "His chart shows that he can have problems channelling his energies in the right area, and also a tendency to be impulsive and a touch accident-prone and this was something that concerned me, especially as Mars is currently retrograde - suggesting that Quixall could be very prone to accidents at the moment. "Thankfully, Mars is due to start moving in the right direction two days before Quixall's race, and although it squares his moon, making it difficult for him to relax, he will be less likely to get hurt. "I couldn't tell you if Quixall was going to win - but I would tentatively suggest not. However, his chart shows that he is physically and mentally in good shape, and will be prepared to do his best." Large crowds are expected later this month at Southwell to cheer Quixall Crossett on to his century and his website can be seen at www.quixall-crossett.co.uk.

There has to be a song there somewhere ........

Murray