Why Tony McCoy will never be SPotY

It’s November, so let the racing fraternity roll out their annual passionate plea for Tony McCoy to be nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
But what chance has he got? A reserved Irishman who quietly dominates his sport year-in, year-out against the likes of Jenson Button, Formula 1 world champion, photographed in the newspapers with gorgeous women, promoting designer clothes and generally acting the good guy.
Or how does our man square up to David Haye, the new heavyweight boxing champ? He is David, he beat Goliath. How much more of a fairytale do you want? He used to be a model and has a sense of humour that is bred into any cockney.
The problem is that McCoy’s still not a household name. Everyone knows a jockey called Frankie Dettori and, yes, he’s won the championship before but not nearly as many times as his National Hunt counterpart.
So we’ve got to ask ourselves why nobody knows McCoy. Is it because the Italian is in the mainstream media; captaining a team on A Question of Sport, opening his own restaurant, releasing his own brand of food (it never took off but we’ll overlook that).
Given the choice, I’m sure McCoy would rather win another championship rather than some popularity contest and one would have to be sacrificed to win the other. It’s a Catch-22 situation.
Winning a championship requires regular winners and this can’t be done if you’re swanning about on Ready, Steady, Cook or wearing the silver condom outfit on Hole in the Wall. But if you want the general public to get to know you, you must go on these types of shows and get your face regularly seen on the box, like Frankie has done in the past.
McCoy is, in a kind way, a nutcase - single-minded and determined to ride as many winners he can and he’d rather go to Bangor in the rain than the BBC.
Anyway, McCoy’s best chance of winning SPotY have passed. Racing is not a priority for the BBC anymore after they reduced the number of broadcasted fixtures, so it is unlikely that they are going to nominate a man who is from a sport they’re trying to shove in the corner.
But this could be leading to a bigger picture of racing’s own future.
With the Derby now kicked off television’s ‘crown jewels’ - sporting events that, by law, must be shown on terrestrial channels - will there be a time when racing is only available to watch via satellite?
Channel Four Racing has had it’s rocky patches and it’s clear that watching racing isn’t a priority for the majority of the population of Great Britain.
Tony McCoy and racing could be on the same path - ticking along without Joe Bloggs giving a damn.

Bumper System Update

It's been almost a month since I let you in on the little system Jimmy Pugh and I had developed, so I'll tell you how it's going.

The system involved backing all the horses that ran in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper in their first few starts over hurdles. Here's a breakdown of how they've done since:

Dunguib (1st) - the winner of the bumper, he was always going to be decent over timber. He won first time out at odds of 1/7. Not enough to make you rich but it's profit nonetheless. He's in tomorrow at Punchestown 1.50.
Some Present (2nd) - he won first time out at 13/8. He's come second twice since then.
Morning Supreme (5th) - won at 1/2. Entered in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 at the end of the month.
Cranky Corner (7th) - won at 5/4. Well beaten at Aintree since.
Shinrock Paddy (8th) - won at 1/2. Entered in same Grade 1 as Morning Supreme. Thank God Mr B Connell doesn't ride him over obstacles - he looks dangerous enough on the flat.
Pepe Simo (9th) - won twice at 5/2 and 8/11.
Benbane Head (10th) - beaten first time (5/4fav) then made amends at Cheltenham when 8/1.
Meath All Star (11th) - well beaten behind Some Present first time when 5/1.
Long Strand (12th) - tailed off at 10/1.
Red Harbour (14th) - third at 9/4fav.
Fennis Boy (17th) - third at 100/30.
Henry King (18th) - second behind Pepe Simo when 13/8fav.
Double Dash (20th) - second at 7/2. Entered for Plumpton on the 16th November.
Lightening Rod (21st) - tailed off seventh at 7/1.
Cadspeed (22nd) - weakened rapidly when 9/10fav. In on the 16th at Cork 2.35.
Bygones of Brid (23rd) - tailed off 4th at Chepstow when 33/1.
Quinola des Obeaux (last) - won when 8/11fav. In the Grade 1 on the 29th too.

So from these, it looks as if there is no profit in the system this year. Yes, it produces winners but they are good horses and hence win at very short odds. Backing them on their second start looks unprofitable as well as many get beat at short odds but some have improved for their debut.


Finally, here's a round up of the remainders:

Rite of Passage (3rd) - since transformed into a decent flat horse. Won the November Handicap at Leopardstown when 7/1. Holds no entries but is sure to go hurdling sometime.
Quel Esprit (4th) - entered tomorrow at Punchestown 3.30.
Lead The Parade (6th) - unraced/no entries.
Latin America (13th) - unraced/no entries.
Gagewell Flyer (15th) - unraced/no entries.
Sicilian Secret (16th) - entered on Sunday at Cork 3.35.
Abroard (19th) - been campaigned on the flat since, won in September at 10/1. Will probably go hurdling at some point.

You have to have a full package Down Under

The Melbourne Cup is great, isn't it?. The race that 'stops a nation'. I suppose the only event that we've got on these shores to compare it to is the Grand National but we don't have a Bank Holiday just for that race, so I suppose, you can't really compare them.
It's run in the middle of the night, our time, and also the picture quality is not great and both add to the aura of the event. The fact us English can't win it either makes it all that bit more elusive.
I think I know why we can't nail the race. So many seconds we've had: Bauer in '08 went as close as we've ever been, missing out by a nose. But the problem is that we see the race is run over 2m2f. That's a marathon trip, comparable tot the Ascot Gold Cup. So we think, 'Let's send over our Ascot Gold Cup winner, they'll do it easy.'
Off the likes of Yeats and Persian Punch went and back they came with no success. Why? They're too slow. A Gold Cup horse is a gritty stayer who just plods his races out. A Melbourne Cup horse has to travel, settle and have an electric turn of foot.
We need to change our perspective on the race, no longer should we send the dour stayers but fly over the classy 1m4f horses, those, perhaps, not quite your Sea The Stars but the likes of Mastercraftsman and Fame And Glory.
Admittedly, we did have a taster of some O'Brien Classic talent in Changingoftheguard but he came nowhere in the St Ledger, hardly the classy individual needed for a raid Down Under.

Sand 'The Revival' Repeal

It is with great sadness that I report the retirement of Sand Repeal.

This may be the first time you've ever heard of him, or maybe you're an avid fan of the beast, but, to me, he was a great, a horse that touched my heart.

At times though, he could seem a yak, most notably when he would occasionally nip you and produce a bruise or when he would try and barge out his stable door.

Inside though was a heart of gold.

His story began in Ireland, in 2002, when a small stud owner called Donald Cummings decided to breed Columbian Sand with Revoque - a pretty unspectacular cross, one which was unlikely to lead to a high price at the sales.

So it was not surprising that he skipped the sales and went straight to Harraton Stables, base of trainer Julia Feilden.

From here he remained. A big gangly yearling, he was castrated early to keep his mind on the job.

As a two year-old he surprised many (as he was to do in the future) by being placed twice from three runs but he was always going to be a better three year-old.

And so, loaded with a rating of 73 (the highest he would ever reach) Sand Repeal raced around the courses of the United Kingdom from Ascot to Yarmouth.

It was the winter 2006 however that he really started to make a mark. Three wins during that period kept us all warm although they were split with two defeats behind a 66 rated Young Mick (not bad form in hindsight).

Little did we know it would be another 14 months before he won another race, interspersed with one attempt over hurdles where he duly unseated his rider at the first.

During this time, I had just observed, riding him occasionally and regarding as nothing more than one in the yard.

As time went on and I started riding in amateur races, our link developed. I rode him at Wolverhampton, finished 4th and hoped I'd never ride him again because he was such hard work.

Luckily, things didn't turn out as I hoped. We went to Windsor and on the back of a few placed efforts, he started at odds of 13/2. It was a venture into the unknown on this day - he was racing over 1m4f for the first time in well over two years. I knew one thing - he stayed, so I kicked him on four out and we never saw another horse. Chuffed, I obviously was.

What came next though, no-one expected.

To Chester, three weeks later and we're still not greatly fancied at 15/2 despite our obvious good rapport. 1m4f again, so what do we do? Kick on. It wasn't so easy this time, Sand Repeal had to dig deep and dig deep he did. We won by a head.

From these days, he became a favourite. Renamed Sand 'Revival' due to his recent resurgence in form, he obtained a slight cult following amongst the villagers of Exning and university students alike.

Between then and yesterday, not much had changed; he raced, ate and went out in the field to fight the ponies.

But after 63 runs, 7 wins, 21 places and £33,000 earned in prize money, it all caught up with him. He suffered a tear in his tendon when racing at Brighton. Not life threatening, but enough to end his racing career.

His future is safe, a good home for life is certain but he will be missed by all at Julia Feilden racing, most notably by me.

He was a pet and, as much as an animal can be, a mate.

Champion system?

Move over Pricewise, there's a new kid on the Saturday afternoon tipping block! Twice Over at 12/1, did you get it? Oh, but you're still in the red after a substantial forecast in the Dewhurst. Never mind. I also fancied Darley Sun in the big handicap but I didn't bother telling you because it was obvious, wasn't it?

Now for a little enlightenment. Jimmy Pugh and I are experimenting on a new system that we hope will prove profitable (like all good ideas initially do).

Take last year's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, won so impressively by Dunguib. Now back every horse that ran in that race when it makes a hurdling debut. Any good?

Well, so far it looks promising. Second at the festival in March was Some Present...who won on 15/10 at Punchestown at 13/8fav.

Next we take the horse that finished sixth at Prestbury Park - Cranky Corner. He won at Gowran on 06/05 at 6/5fav. He's in on Sunday at Aintree.

Three places behind him was Benbane Head who won at Cheltenham on Saturday priced 8/1 after finishing third as 5/4fav on his hurdles debut. Disappointing admittedly but he eventually won nonetheless.

As for the imminent future, the ninth, Pepe Simo, runs at Wincanton on Sunday in the same race that the 18th, Henry King, makes his hurdles debut.

Shinrock Paddy, an unlucky eighth at Cheltenham runs at Thurles on Thursday.

And finally, the horse that only beat one home, Bygones of Brid, takes to the jumping game for the first time at Cartmel, also on Thursday.

Let's get on and see what happens!

Lightning doesn't strike Twice

With a chill in the breeze, Wolverhampton night meetings becoming more regular and the top racehorses retiring to sud, it most definitely feels like the ed of the flat season.
For me, Newmarket's Champions Meeting tomorrow is the annual last hurrah for the speed kings. I know there's the November Handicap meeting to contend with still but, let's be honest, we won't be seeing too many superstars there and the Breeders' Cup has taken a significant knock with the imperious Sea The Stars deciding that he'll be better off enjoying the company of some lady friends rather than trounce the same old horses, this time in America.
I don't know if I'm alone on this but, I find the Champions Meeting one which is quite profitable. Maybe it's because the best horses usually win or because you can put your money on safe in the knowledge that connections are trying, but my selections always do themselves proud.
This year is no different. New Approach was scorching value at 6/4 in last year's headline Champion Stakes and the horse he beat into second that year, Twice Over, can go one better this time around.
Not only that, I've also cracked the Dewhurst Stakes as well. A quality renewal it is and I think Silver Grecian will get back to winning ways with Dick Turpin filling the runner's up spot.

Youm must be in-Zain (or how it could have been)

Mick Channon hailed Youmzain as "the biggest thief since Ronnie Biggs" after the gelding's unimaginable third consecutive Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory in Paris yesterday.

In familiar style, the six year-old swooped late under Kieren Fallon to nail Cavalryman on the line in front of an ecstatic crowd.

For Fallon it was an even more memorable day, barely a month after his return to race riding from a two year drug suspension, this was his signal that he is back on the big stage.

"The horse is quite remarkable," said the Irishman. "You can only hit the front late and he's a complete mongrel but I wish all my dogs were as talented as him."

Available at odds of 20/1, it was clear that the public believed his victories over Soldier of Fortune (2008) and Sagara (2007) were complete flukes and lightning doesn't strike three times.

How wrong they were though. Despite looking short of room two furlongs out, the son of another Arc winner in Sinndar, burst through to land the £1.6m first prize.

As to the future, another crack at France's premier race looks possible.

"We'll see how he comes out of the race and check that he eats all his pedigree chum tonight," said Channon. "When he wins we give him chicken and vegetable flavour - he loves it."

"I'd love to come back here because the bread rolls are delicious but I'm not really sure whether the track suits him."

Water waste of time

I'll tell you something else that has got up my goat recently - over-watering. The amount of races I've seen where the ground looks desperate is growing like Joseph Fritzl's beard.
Take Newmarket for instance; beautiful ground on the Friday, then by Saturday it's like watching a load of old chasers at Kelso. I know it's been an incredibly dry autumn but it's as if the courses have left the tracks unattended and then the day before the race they've thought 'oh, it's quite hard out here. Taps on, Geoffrey!'
The result? Ground described as good to firm yet kicks up like Worcester on a good day. The top is very loose because of all the water put on it but it hasn't had time to penetrate the ground o underneath the grass it's rock 'ard.
As you may guess, the turf is then slippy and the amount of horses who have been close to falling on the flat has increased.
So what can you do? It's too loose for the fat ground horses but still firm for the mud lovers. Leave it alone until some rain comes. Or go to Wolverhampton.

PS, I'm tempted to lay Yeats today. I know it goes against sentimentality but the old boy's always underperformed in this event and at 4/1, I'd oppose him. But lump on Dick Turpin and rob those bookies!

Pay peanuts...get monkeys

Ha! So all of those of you who voted against me updating this blog in a week were wrong. Oh, no one voted at all.

There was a little debate on the way to the races yesterday in respect to prize money - notably the lack of it. People moan that there is too much racing and not enough prize money. I take argument to this view; the amount of racing at the moment is sustainable and provides a regular flow of action to punters and fans alike. The problem is though that those associated with the upkeep of the horses (owners, trainers, staff etc) will not be able to provide the horses for the action because they can't afford to.

The recession hasn't dramatically altered the training of racehorses which has been the same, more or less, for hundreds of years but people are now being more economical - instead of trecking to a venue with one runner, they'll fill the box up with two just to make the trip more cost effective. Similarly, trainers' steeds now share lifts in horse boxes thus reducing the cost as well.

None of this is bad, in fact it saves money and reduces carbon emmissions because less boxes are travelling to the races, but it doesn't detract attention away from the problem of prize money.

You see horses racing round Wolverhampton on a Saturday night for roughly £1500. This barely covers a month's training fees for the nag. Ownership should be profitable for everyone and this would surely bring new faces to the game.

To boost the pot at the lower end of the scale, I think the authorities need to trim something off the top of the tree. Why, for instance, does the QE2 need to be £142,000 to the winner when there are only 4 runners and most years the quality of horse is substandard to Group 1 level?

Yes, the big handicaps should have valuable pots to attract competition but why does the Derby need to be worth almost £1m? Surely Chris Tsui, owner of this years winner Sea The Stars, wouldn't mind if he only won half that amount because, at the end of the day, he's still going to get insane money for him as a stallion.

Basically, the big Group 1s don't need big prizes because the value of the win comes with the horse, at sale or through breeding. Little handicap winners won't be worth much more for winning a class 6 event, they don't have a future in the industry after retirment, but if the prize is good, then things are more affordable.

Say you trim £200,000 off the prize money of the Derby, this could be redistributed as an extra £1000 prize money for 200 other races.

It seems that the rich only get richer in this game and for that reason, racing is excluding 99.9% of the British population.

He's the Long-Champ

And so, after a period of Baby P-style neglect, this blog returns. It was getting a bit above itself you see; being rowdy in public, upsetting the neighbours and generally doing things that Cliff Richard wouldn't approve of. But it's back (for now) and, who knows, it might even get updated more than once a month.

The Arc this week will be the highlight of most people's weekend, I've always wanted to watch racing behind the red button because it feels dirty, like looking up Claire Balding's skirt. Oh yeah, and Sea The Stars runs.

I was lucky enough to go to Longchamp for the Arc, the year Hurricane Run won under Kieren Fallon, and I can confirm that the rumours are true - the Paris track licks the arse of anything we've got on these shores. The place has charm yet leaves you in awe at the sheer size of the place, atmosphere but decorum and, most notably, superstars that you can almost touch.

Alas, how I would love to touch (and take a few hairs to sell on eBay) one of this year's invaders, the imperious Sea The Stars. A brute of a horse who has the physique of a wild stallion but holds the temperament of an eight year-old's pony. He's got a few gears as well.

Whatever Messrs O'Brien, Stoute or Mohammed throw at the son of Cape Cross, he catches, spits on it and leaves it in a jibbering wreck on a horsebox, probably on the M25 stuck in roadworks. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Tour de bore

As the Tour de France has just rolled to a ceremonious end in Paris today, I have been left with a feeling of disappointment.
Billed as the great clash between the old warrior Lance Armstrong and the new sensation Alberto Contador, this year's Tour never really lived up to it's hype and despite some flashes potential history making moments, the surprises came few and the racing came slow.
The problem was probably due to there being far too many flat stages where the peloton race in a bunch very steadily for a few hours and then the last kilometre is a mad sprint, usually won by Britain's Mark Cavendish.
Cav let us down, he didn't have the passion to win the green (sprinter's) jersey. He may look back on the Tour with regret. The fastest man on the road he was but points aren't just won at the finish and Thor Hushov deserves all the plaudits for making breaks midway through stages to collect some points for himself.
One rider who can hold his head high is our very own Bradley Wiggins. I may be disappointed that he didn't nick a podium place (a fiver each-way at 200/1) but coming fourth is the best any Brit has done and the bravery he showed up the mountains was admirable. He looks like a skeleton but the legs are obviously strong and this experience is sure to bring him some big prizes in the future. I want his autograph!

And Sir Michael Stoute didn't do bad at the weekend either but I think it was a weak renewal of this now substandard race. Year on year, we are left with the also rans to collect this big prize and it's about time someone did something about it.

Accountability in horseracing? That's a whole new debate!

A Quick Thought

Would it be hard not to laugh if you had an argument with race-caller Simon Holt because when he's having a go at you it would sound like he's on some epic commentary, Persian Punch and Jardine's Lookout style?


I'll be posting in the next few days...that's a promise!!

Where Have I Been?

Apologies for the lack of updation but my second year at university is now complete and the broadband quality is not quite comparable here in sunny Suffolk as it is in the multi-million pound computer facility of the uni.

So, what's been going on? Derby (tipped you the winner didn't I?), 'Conegate' at Salisbury and Royal Ascot. Plus, the weather's pretty mild at the minute isn't it?

Before we speak of the Derby, I just want to get something off my chest. It involved a participant in the feature race on the Friday of Epsom's Classic meeting. A horse that goes by the name of Phillipina. Hype horses are aplenty in Newmarket and this must be the one on the highest pedestal of the lot. Gambled on debut (got beat), punted on at Chester (got beat) and supported in the Oaks (got beat), there must be a group of stable lads absolutely broke because of this horse and I can't think of a way they'll get their money back. Run the filly in a maiden and she'll win... at odds of 1/10 on a good day. But try and get a bigger price in a group race and she won't win. Lesson learnt = if it can't win a maiden, it can't win a Classic.

The Derby itself was like taking candy from a baby. The best horse in the race was favourite and duly obliged, so why was anybody trying to oppose him?

Royal Ascot was another whirlwind of glamour and sunshine. I don't mind the BBC's coverage of fashion, it's actually quite entertaining. That camp guy Sherwood cracks me up with his catty remarks and constant pouting. He's more use than Willie Carson anyway.
What surprised me the most was the success of the American horses. Who would have thought that their two-year-olds would be so good? And the sprinter Cannonball was no slouch either. This invasion is sure to become a annual event from now on and it would be good to see some more visits from our friends across the Atlantic. The only concern I have is the use of drugs and if some horses have been on steroids, surely the muscle they have gained will remain even if the drug is clean of the body, and this muscle will create more power and speed. An unfair advantage? Just clean up the drugs Obama.

There is little I have to say about the Salisbury ice cream fiasco but it has opened up a whole debate about customer care at the races and this is something that desperately needs revising. Admission prices need a radical makeover.

Being at home has it's perks; regular meals, comfortable accommodation and a regular income from the job but this has lead to some trouble, notably an increase in gambling. Gone are the days of the 10p Lucky15s all my budget could afford, now I'm rolling with the Harry Findlays of this world on Betfair, backing and laying all the same. Although my figures are showing a nice profit, it's the laying where it all goes wrong. On good days you can only make a small profit, bad ones yield a huge loss. It's the old mutts that do me in, things I've seen running around places like Folkestone and Beverley that I'm confident will never win a race but oh no, when Birkett's backing them to lose, they find a new lease in life (and 20lbs improvement) and scoot up. Ouch.

Derby Drivel

It's Derby time, roll out the same old debates: Is Epsom a suitable place to run racing's most prestigious event? Can the Irish dominance ever be overturned? Yawn, sleepy, yawn.

The fact is, if it wasn't for the Irish, then there would only be five runners in the Classic. That would be a farce. Thanks to Aidan O'Brien alone the number horses starting the race is in double figures.

It's all swings and roundabouts - some years the Irish seem to be taking over British racing, other times they can't get their name on the board. Come the Breeders' Cup, the media are all to happy to adopt any Irish success as 'ours'.

It is a bit of a sorrowful state though this year that the most fancied English participant is available at odds of 20/1.

What surprised me about the race was the number of runners who are sired by a Derby winner themselves: five by 2001 hero Galileo and one by 2002 victor High Chapparal. This goes to show that far from being unable to inject class, speed and stamina into their progeny, Derby winners can produce Derby winners themselves. Gone are the days when the Cheltenham Gold Cup was the most likely race an Epsom winner would create.

Albeit, and timely with the death of Coolmore genius Vincent O'Brien, this fact has been helped by the impetus of Messrs O'Brien (x2), Magnier and Tabor.

Anyway, you probably want to know who's going to win. I don't know but I'll have a guess:

1st - Sea The Stars
2nd - Crowded House
3rd - Gan Amhras

The Guineas form will be crucial and Sea The Stars won at Newmarket like he was a horse who would get the Surrey venue's 1m4f with ease. I genuinely feel that he is a horse who could win the Triple Crown, ironically, 39 years on since the last horse who did it, Nijinsky. Trained by? Vincent O'Brien. But more is the case that he'll go to Longchamp for the more lucrative prize of the Arc d'Triomphe rather than a gallop on Town Moor.

Crowded House is a tentative selection. The manner of his victory at Doncaster late last year is still fresh in the memory and it thrusted him to the head of the market during the winter. Since then though, he has disappointed in the Dante. The son of Rainbow Quest may have come on since then and if he's back to his best, stays the trip and Spencer doesn't f*ck it up, expect him to be coming home with a surge.

As said the Guineas is a terrific form guide and Jim Bolger's Gam Amhras should stay true to my word without reversing the Rowley Mile form of his conqueror.

Or maybe not...

Hitting Ben with a Post

The Racing Post is really getting on my goat. Racing folk have to deal with it as it has the monopoly of the genre and can therefore charge what it likes - an extortionate amount.

We have to deal with it though. But the recent 'Brian or Ben' about the radical shake-up racing needs to attract a new audience has sent the Post potty.

The authorities hired a consultant agency (at a cost of £250,000) to look at the sport and see how it can be re-branded. And they concluded that racing at the moment is like Brian - "a bit boring, traditional, thinks he's old fashioned, with friends who are loyal but talk in a language people don't understand, can be arrogant, but when you get to know him can be fascinating."

This sounds pretty true to me. The large majority of everyday racegoers are just this and I would add that they are reluctant to accept newcomers into their sect.

But I suppose, the general make-up of a bookies during the week is pretty much the same, all bar the odd student popping in. This has more to do with the admission prices at racecourses. Especially in these financially harsh times, many just can't afford to go racing often enough and it is only the Brians of this world who can.

Anyway, the agency gave its idea of what racing should be like in five years time, Ben - "approachable and athletic, younger-minded, has travelled more, can talk as easily to a grandmother as a teenager, is inspiring to be with, enjoys a good time, and is entrepreneurial when people work with him."

Accepted, this Ben does sound like the perfect human being and is probably not 100% achievable but racing would be in rude health if it were this persona in the near future.

Back to the Racing Post. What annoyed me was their reaction to the whole findings. They refused to take any of the advice on board and come across as a right Brian.

It was disappointing that we were not given a strategy to implement the re-branding and it is a disappointment to me that I don't think their is anyone in the game who has the balls to grab the sport by the scruff of its neck and sort it all out.

At the moment, racing is just grumbling along and because it isn't making a loud enough noise, the media are dropping it: from the papers and the television.

Granted, the big meetings will always sell, but it's the Redcars and Wincantons on a Saturday that we really need to show to the public as a great day out.

The Post needs to drop its humiliation of Brian and Ben - they were just ways to convey the idea - and it needs to realise that the racing industry will eventually go underground if nothing is done.

Then no-one will by their fucking paper!

Travels with the Doctor.

Twenty-four hours of travelling for three minutes of action sounds like a waste of time, but not with the Doc.
Last weekend, five intrepid gentlemen amateurs set off to France led by the great Dr Phillip Pritchard to take part in the annual Brissac Challenge, a race at Angers contested between French and British jockeys.
Sailing out on a boat taken over by the Winchester Rugby under-13s, we couldn’t really get much rest during the six-hour journey but the Doctor had prescribed himself some medication which knocked him right out.
Once on hostile territory, with the help of the Doc’s sat-nav (that didn’t recognise many roads and thought we were going off-road for a fair while) we managed to turn a two hour journey to our accommodation into four hours but the banter was good despite my map reading being poor.
Dinner at the B&B was a remarkable occasion. What we thought would be just a quiet meal turned into a full blown three course job as the Chairmen of France-Galop, Angers racecourse, the gentlemen riders’ association and some expert who we saw on the television the next day all decided to join in as well. It was interesting to ponder whether such an event would take place back at home - the most senior men of the turf having a good old booze up together.
The wine flowed and spirits were high, with the Doc trying to communicate with the French in an accent that a foreigner would use if they were talking English. Whether this helps others to understand, he cannot say is clinically proven.
After a night cap of a cognac that would clear the lungs of a polio sufferer, we retired to bed having been awake for nearly 24 hours.

Despite the threat of having to muck out in the morning, we enjoyed a proper lie-in and, after a traditional croissant breakfast, made our way to the track.
For those who don’t know the Angers, it’s rather like a small Kempton - good facilities but nothing inside it. There was no catering for the jockeys and my weak French was fully exposed by some bar lady who got the tip of her life when we ordered a few Oranginas.
The language barrier came into force soon after when we received our riding instructions. With the help of a lot of hand gestures and a couple of diagrams we sort of understood what we were meant to do.
Understanding the clerk of the scales, however, was an entirely different matter. There’s a reason why we don’t use kilos over here - because they’re rubbish. All of us were the wrong weight and there was no lead anywhere, so, as it was unlikely to rain, I think they got a bit of the roof.
It’s always the most unnerving part when you look into the paddock and see what your going to ride; mine was an athletic grey who walked round like he’d had an ACP. Ben Brisbourne had a squeaky bum though when he saw his dripping with sweat and refusing to leave the track. Needless to say, he went quick to the start.
The race itself was stereotypically French - crawl for most of the way and then sprint for the last two furlongs. It’s not racing really. You go a 1m6f and finish like an animal running over 5f. If such an event was taken more seriously, it would probably be investigated by the BHA - nobody can ever remember an English jockey winning the event in its 31-year history. 2009 was no different - Phil Collington came a close second after sitting last and then storming on the outside to try and catch the winner who made all. The rest of us filled the places from fourth onwards. Everyone said they should have won.
Dejected and tired, we had a meal, drank more wine (is that the only beverage they have?) and departed.


But the adventure wasn’t over yet.

AJA chief Sarah Oliver couldn’t find the airport to catch her early flight back to the UK so she hired a car to meet us on the way to the port. Well, eventually we found her, after stopping at a Chinese restaurant not dissimilar from those seen on ‘Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares’. But then we needed to get rid of the hire car. What do you do? Leave it with a hotel. So, if you see a man who is driving a new Renault around Le Mans, tell him to take it back to Hertz.
Eventually we made it back to the port, despite the best efforts of the French to kill us after the driver in front fell asleep at the wheel, proceeded to climb the adjacent bank and miraculously kept the vehicle upright, returned to the tarmac then continued on his way. We were bricking it in behind but the Doc didn’t even flinch.

It was a terrific weekend and myself, Ben, Phil, Josh Moore and David Turner are thankful to Sarah and the Doc for granting us this opportunity to ride abroad and I hope we did Britain proud. L’annee diernier!

Brighton Mitre Hove Park Circuit Race 1 REPORT

A bright, warm evening greeted the new Hove Park racing season hosted by Brighton Mitre Cycling Club. A record high turn out in the Cat 4 race saw a group of 10 riders pull away from early on and they stayed away until the finish which inevitably resulted in a messy sprint. Andy Edwards (Rollapaluza) just pipped the Mitre’s own Mark Mergler on the line.

The star of the day, however, had to be teenager Felix English (Team Corridori Specialized)
who demolished his Cat 2/3 field by a whole lap and even when reunited with the main bunch, he had to be held back from attacking again. From the off, English looked determined to take the race by the scruff of the neck as he had already pulled 200 metres clear after just five minutes, accompanied by Josh Cunningham (Ingear Development Squad). These two youngsters worked together until the 20 minute mark when the eventual winner cunningly attacked his, up to this point, ally by letting him lead going towards the main climb and then storming past him up the hill. The InGear rider did not have the legs to go with English who now set his sights firmly on lapping the peloton and putting the race to bed.
It took him just over 20 minutes to do so but by this time the light had became an issue and the five laps to go sign went up prematurely. There was still the matter of the remaining places to be sorted out and as the sign went up, Andy Waterman of Dulwich Paragon accelerated away from the bunch and put a good amount of daylight between himself and the others. He looked booked for the runners-up spot until the pack began to chase him down on the last lap and it was only by a matter of millimetres that he held on from the fast finishing Sebastian Ottley (VC St Raphael) closely followed by the rest.

Weakest Name = Kay

My quest for fame and riches this week led me to the Weakest Link - a shabby hotel in Cambridge to be precise. After applying for the show over a year ago (when I had time to watch such things, different story nowadays), I was surprised to receive a call during the week, off a lady with a pretty delicious voice, telling me that I had been selected for an audition. At first I was reluctant; did I have the time to participate? Was it worth it? After telling a few of the lads I decided 'hell why not'. After all, an opportunity such as this is unlikely to ever arise again and even if I didn't win anything, it would generate some decent banter.
So, I travelled to Cambridge, got to the hotel and sat in the waiting room with the eight other auditionees. There was a wide range of people from Cliff, a retired teacher, loved the sound of his own voice and just kept chatting about random crap to Kay-Anne, a bit of a hippy, she and got really annoyed when you called her Kay. Like I kept doing.
We were then asked to enter the conference room where there were chairs set up in a semi-circle and first of all we had to introduce ourselves. Bog standard stuff, I went first and mentioned I had size 8 feet just to say something and then everyone else said what size feet they had. Why?
There were a couple of other students there who were pretty fat and did waste-of-time subjects like philosophy and politics at Cambridge and Manchester respectively. One right nerd worked in a chemists laboratory and he bored me a lot.
After, we played a round of the quiz, with all the banking included. It worked out that we answered three questions each and I got one wrong - "What country is Budapest the capital of?" I knew it was somewhere in west Europe. "Czech Republic". Wrong. It's Hungary.
Despite this, Kay-Anne got voted off by everybody because she got two wrong, even though they were tricky ones: "How many points does a touchdown score in American football?" Six apparently.
Following the round, this camp guy then grilled us like Anne Robinson would have. I got slagged off for being a 'lazy' student but it wasn't too severe. For others though it was pretty harsh: Kay-Anne got slagged off for this floral dress she was wearing and this old woman got done for being precisely that, old.
Finally, we were all individually interviewed for five minutes in front of a camera, just telling about ourselves. Easy, just talk shit.
They'll give me a call in the next four weeks to tell me I'm in. Here's hoping!

Well, in hindsight, it was a difficult task. 40 runners - one winner. And 100/1 it was. Hopefully we won't let a talented horse like Mon Mome slip through the net again.

Attentions now turn to the flat with the season truly underway at the Craven meeting. The Craven itself, and the Nell Gwyn, I would ignore as trials for the Guineas as it is more the case nowadays that the winner is unlikely to run before the big day. Crowded House is looking good then.

Talking of Delegator and his stablemate 'The House', we come to Jamie Spencer. The cause of much debate, I am pleased to say, is ended here. Let me put it this way; even if I had a pretty naff and run-down bicycle, I wouldn't let him ride it. He is one of the riskiest jockeys to punt on. Why does he have to hold everything up? Not all horses can make up at least 10 lengths in a race. This, my friends is why he has never won an English Classic - you can't give ground away to good horses. Just look at Dancing Brave, not even a great thoroughbred such as him could do the impossible. If Spencer's on board Crowded House, my money will be elsewhere, and a potential triple-crown winner will be wasted.

Beware jockeys, don't become a member of my newly formed 'Bicycle List'!

Doing the Double?

From Cheltenham to Aintree, the National Hunt season rolls to a thrilling climax. The weather is beautiful and when the sun's shining on the Liverpool turf, there ain't no better place to be. Of course, it would be heroic to see the old warriors battle through knee-deep mud to win the Grand National, but that would mean the spectators would have to put up with getting soaking wet as well. I know which option I'd prefer and it wouldn't involve an umbrella.

As long-time followers of this blog may recall, I tipped Comply Or Die to win the big prize last year and, as the history books confirm, he did just that. To do it again would be the stuff of legend. Let the story begin...

This has to be one of the most competitive Nationals in years with a multitude of runners coming into the event with a number one by their name. A lot of connections feel that they can scoop the reward but only one can. And this is it:
1st - Darkness
2nd - Rambling Minster
3rd - Comply Or Die

Controversial, I know. I just feel that the Charlie Egerton trained horse has the right weight and comes into the race in peak form after only three runs this season. Rambling Minster will stay all day but he just lacks the class and turn of foot to win the nation's favorite race. Comply Or Die will be set alive by the atmosphere and will return to form but the extra weight as a result of last years win will scupper the double.
McCoy and Nicholls will have something to say about this prediction (they won't but if they saw it they would) as they both think they can break their National duck this year. The problem with McCoy is that he has such a large choice of rides for the race that he will inevitably get it wrong and not be on the best horse on the day. That and the fact that he suffers from horrendous luck around the course. My Will will be carrying too much weight to win. Full stop.

Then again, that's my opinion. There's a lot of others out there. But did they tip last year's winner?

The REAL reason why Great Leighs failed

Economic climate this, deep recession that...No, I've found the real reason why Great Leighs racecourse is struggling to survive and it may just surprise you.

Whilst reading 'Ghosts of East Anglia' by H. Mills West, I was fascinated to read about the 'Witch of Scrapfaggot Green'. Scrapfaggot Green is situated in Great Leighs.

The story goes like this: towards the end of the War, a landlord recorded a number of disturbances in one of his guestrooms - items placed in the room where either moved or smashed and this came with a disconcerting sound of boots scuffling the floor in an agitated fashion. One morning when the haunted room was opened, the wardrobe was found dismantled, lying neatly in its separate parts.
Despite these activities, business had to continue and when there were no other rooms available, the landlord had to let the haunted room. For these unlucky guests it would be a long and hair raising experience. One young woman who stayed in the room said she fell asleep but woke up shortly after, feeling convinced that there was someone else in the room. As she sat up in her bed, she could see a misty moving shape that menacingly circled the bed and eventually made its way out of the room. Nevertheless, the girl turned the light on and sat at her window all night, not daring to fall asleep.
All these stories drew publicity and one intrepid reporter (me in a few years?) managed to whittle out some valuable information from two elderly women of Great Leighs. They revealed that the event had all started as during the construction of a military base nearby, the builders had heaved a huge (and rare in this part of the country) boulder to make way for a road.
It is believed that this boulder sealed a witch's grave to prevent her from further mischief. In moving the stone, the builders had released the witch's ghost which had taken refuge in the public house. Once realised, a multitude of villagers gathered to heave the tombstone back into place, which they did and rid the village of the ghost.

Now, I haven't managed to locate Scrapfaggot Green exactly on modern maps but I am wondering if it was where Great Leighs racecourse now stands. Did the contractors move this stone to build the course? One cannot be sure but if they did, maybe the course is haunted and the failures of the track are due to our mischievous witch.

They can find all the investors they want, but maybe the survival of Essex's first racecourse is not in human hands...

Done for another year.

You wait all year and it's gone in an instant. There was such a huge build up to this year's Cheltenham Festival and it had a lot to live up to.
To be honest, I was slightly disappointed with the first day's racing; the Supreme Novices' was billed to be a quality renewal and I was left feeling slightly empty. Yes, the roar from the crowd was electrifying as the tapes flew up but what followed was unremarkable. Maybe it was because the first three finishers were relatively unfancied or because the hype horse, Cousin Vinny, didn't perform like we all thought but I got the feeling it's a race we won't be reliving in our minds in years to come.
The Arkle, mind, did perk the palate up slightly with the epic finish between Forpadydeplasterer and Kalahari King. With the large posse of winning connections going mad, you couldn't help but to feel their joy but then you remembered that they're all Sunderland fans. Then, you're jealous. Who knows what Tatenen would have done if he hadn't have fallen but it was too early to say. If you did back the favourite, you can take heart in saying that he would have hacked up and nobody could prove otherwise. However, jumping's the name of the game.
McCoy rode a winner or something, I heard. Oh, an epic one, one of the greatest in recent times, you say. It was pretty impressive but that's McCoy. He probably rides a winner like that at least once a month from Taunton to Kelso. It's only because this one was on a favourite at the festival that everyone takes note. McCoy is where he is because he's the fittest around and never gives up.
Skip to Friday, 3.20pm and we're watching the Gold Cup. Not billed in the same way as last year with Kauto Star v Denman, more Kauto Star 1st and who second? To be fair, Findlay's 'Tank' ran a blinder, a huge improvement on last time at Kempton. A left-handed track clearly suits him better and if he runs again at Aintree, I for one would have a cheeky bet.

Hope you all did well and hear's to next year! (Punjabi is 14/1 for the Champion Hurdle 2010. Massive! He only won it last week!)

PS. a little statistic I heard, following all the runners from the Bumper in their first run over hurdles yields a massive profit. Get on.

On The Tarmac

A little diversion from the horses today as there's not much to say until deeds are done at Cheltenham. Actions speak louder than words.

Cycling, a cracking if under-rated sport, is the topic of today's discussion.
Britain is pretty decent at the sport but that is track cycling. Respect to Chris '28 inch thighs' Hoy and Victoria Pendleton but road racing is what it's all about.
A little note here, I was cycling through a neighbouring village one day and coming towards me was this guy in all the Team GB lycra. I knew who it was instantly because he'd been all over the local news. Ross Edgar, silver medalist to Chris Hoy in the sprint. I shouted 'Well done in Beijing' and to my awestruck surprise, he replied 'Cheers mate.' Two words but they meant a lot.

Anyway. back to the road. Big news this year is Lance Armstrong's comeback after a four year retirement. It's definitely good for the sport with all the extra publicity but I feel Lance is going to struggle; the cycling world has moved on, the opponents are younger and stronger. Armstrong is still talented but so is Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador.
On his return in the Tour of California, the seven time Tour De France winner looked as fit as ever and proved himself to be just as good as he was at time trialling than last year. Time will tell if he can recapture his French crown. I'm not convinced.

One man to look out for is Frank Schleck. Stamina abound, he made some brave attacks in California and could spring a surprise in the French race. His younger brother, Andy, will be a serious peddler in a few years time.

YouTurf

Cheltenham is in the air and everyone is getting a bit excited and rightly so because there are some major clashes in store which could herald a renaissance in National Hunt racing.

To wet the Prestbury whistle, I thought I'd highlight some classic YouTube videos of heroic performances in the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kPtQN0eVMo&feature=related
This is Moscow Flyer's astounding Champion Chase victory in 2005. Would he fall like last year? Every time he landed safely over a fence, the crowd went wild. The Irish loved him, the English loved him. And this was a performance and a half.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7oJNMgkJlU&feature=PlayList&p=AB965AC571B2A53E&index=0&playnext=1
Mattie Batchelor won the Lester for ride of the year after this performance. Too right. It's hard enough to win at the Festival, never mind to make the running AND lose your irons at the last fence with Paul Carberry breathing down your neck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCuIVn6egM&feature=related
One of the most heroic moments in racing: Desert Orchid, so unlucky in previous Gold Cups, the nation's favourite horse, he looks beaten coming to the last, covered in mud, guts prevail. Goosebumps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anBVvfn06d0&feature=related
Another grey and one of my favourites, One Man wins what wasn't the most classiest of Champion Chases but he won it and you can't do more than that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC9dRA15F9s&feature=related
Dawn Run. I must admit, it doesn't mean much to me but old people talk of it a lot so I thought it had better go in. Nice finish.

Short Story: Charlie Smirke

Those of you with an iPod in your pocket and a Beanie on your head have probably never heard of him. Arguably you older readers may recall his existence but not his significance. It’s a shame really. His life is one of those common occurrences of time - a forgotten gem. You see, the story of Charlie Smirke is quite remarkable.
By Derby day 1958, Smirke had experienced a turbulent life. Born in London in 1906, he soon developed a passion for horses as he admired the giant Suffolk Punches and dock tailed hackneys which passed his house everyday, in a world before cars, and it was not long until the boy was atop of a horse himself, delivering fresh fruit and fish for his father.
People could see the lad had a natural talent with horses but he was also becoming a renowned fighter in the boxing ring and thus the decision was made which would shape the rest of little Charlie’s life.
Luckily for racing, on a Sunday in the early summer of 1920, Smirke senior signed the Articles of Apprenticeship which would practically sell his son to the renowned racehorse trainer Stanley Wooton.
Not long after, the pint-sized Londoner became a sensation, winning one of France’s most prestigious races as an apprentice. By 20 years old, Smirke says himself, ‘I was one of the top and most sought after jockeys in England’.
The wheels were in motion.
Two years later, the wheels abruptly fell off.
Riding a temperamental odds on favourite at Gatwick racecourse, the pair were slow to start and finished unplaced with the added insult of being greeted into the unsaddling enclosure with blasphemies from disgruntled punters. The stewards were not impressed either. Despite the jockey’s plea of innocence, he was found guilty of deliberately losing and was banned from racing indefinitely.
The weeks turned into months and months into years. Still no reprise from The Jockey Club.
As money ran low, Smirke was forced to take up a job working in Brighton - cleaning beach huts. At night he would lay in his bed under the town’s pier wrapped in a tarpaulin and ask himself ‘Why?’
As winter drew in and prospects of work dwindled, Smirke was forced to pawn his coat just to buy a meal. He was broke.
However, after five long years, the authorities had a change of heart and allowed the once promising jockey to ride again, providing he stayed out of trouble.
There was no warm welcome on his return, no offers to ride talented racehorses. He had to start from the bottom rung of the ladder again.
As Smirke rode any horse, anywhere, people began to notice him and let him ride their horses. The winners were soon flooding in like they had done years before.
A wet, cold December day in 1934 dawned silver and beautiful for Charles James William Smirke. The great rolling wheel of his life had spun an upward curve again as he was given the leg up on a tall, bay colt: Windsor Lad.
This was the start of a lucrative partnership which climaxed with an easy success in the Derby, finishing a generous length clear of his nearest pursuer. And so the good fortune continued…
Three marriages, two Derby victories and one World War later, Smirke was a different man.
He had served for his country as a driver of staff-cars (where one reminiscing soldier remembered him as ‘a really excellent driver’), had his house destroyed by Hitler and had put on a stone in weight.
On his return to race riding at 39 years old, many considered him an ‘old timer’ who would probably never get his weight down let alone win a valuable race again. How little did they know.
The collaboration of Hard Ridden and Smirke was a comic one. The horse, a giant 17 hands high bay and the dwarf like figure who rode him were quite a contrast. But when united, they were a powerful force. No one could stop them as they powered to an impressive victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas and headed to the 1958 Derby unbeaten as a partnership.
Cantering to the start of the big race, many fans wished good luck to Smirke who had endeared himself to the public with his outspoken opinions most memorably portrayed after winning the 1952 Derby on long shot Tulyar when he said ‘What did I Tul yar?’ Indeed, he was so famous that he was immortalised in cockney slang with the word ‘charlie’ which meant a ‘Berk’.
Walking around at the start of the race, Smirke focussed his piercing black eyes on the rivals: the American horse, Bald Eagle, looked too weak; Guersillus would probably not stay the distance and Amerigo appeared to lack the courage needed to win a Derby. The remainder of the field were useless. In his own mind, Smirke had won the race before it had even started.
As the tapes flew up and the contest began, two forlorn hopes dashed off in front soon to tire and finish out the back. Smirke took his time, after all, he had ridden in over 20 Derbys and knew what it took to win one.
With half a mile to go as the field swung round Tattenham Corner, Hard Ridden’s jockey was in disbelief. As all his rivals were pushing and whipping their mounts, there he was still with the reins hard held in both fists! With so much in hand, he crouched lower in the saddle and asked the horse for all his effort and the race was over within a matter of strides. Hard Ridden passed the winning post five lengths clear.
Although happy, Smirke did not feel the same about this Derby victory as the ones before. During the walk back to the jockey’s room, he was not filled with the elation which was usually felt after such a big win. He knew what this meant - it was time to retire.
And so, soon after the 1958 Derby, Charlie Smirke, the self assured and supremely confident rider, announced his retirement. Even nowadays, he is generally considered one of the most successful jockeys never to become champion.
The jockey, beach man, pauper and soldier had had enough of the hours spent in the sauna to lose weight, the physical exertion on his aging body and with it racing said goodbye to a legend.

Cheltenham Anti-post Preview Part Deux

As I write this today, with snow covering most of the country and bringing the nation to a pathetic halt, it has crossed my mind that a nice little anti-post bet would be for a day of the festival to be abandoned due to the weather. Titter you may, but it happened last year. I couldn't seem to find any advertised odds for this event but any bookie willing to price it up would have a difficult decision.

Ryanair Chase
This is a tough one to call - no-one knows who will run. Most will go for the Gold Cup and the one who could win this is Exotic Dancer but he always runs in the same race as Kauto Star just so connections know he won't win and will no doubt do the same this year. Tidal Bay would have been my winner at the start of the season but something appears to have gone amiss with him recently. That just leaves a field of old dogs really. The biggest may prevail - Mister McGoldrick.

World Hurdle
No doubt the coverage of this race will centre around the absence of the horse who owned it - Ingles Drever. There will be a void this year without him but it couldn't last forever and his retirement could open the way for a new multiple champion. The tea leaves say Kasbah Bliss.

Triumph Hurdle
To be honest, I don't have a clue on this one. Zaynar and Starluck both look decent but there may be others who could improve on the day. First Avenue could run into a place at a big price.

Gold Cup
The best 'til last. Denman has to be taken on. Reports come to me saying that he hasn't been lighting up the gallops and since he has not made an appearance this season, it has to be asked whether he will even run. The imperious Kauto Star will take the opportunity to land his second Cup, chased home by the brave Joe Lively who in turn will beat War of Attrition. There you have it, the 1-2-3. You can thank me later. A cheque will do.

Cheltenham anti-post special Part One

Those of you with too much money and a slightly deranged view on betting may decide to get poor value by having an anti-post bet. And why not? Nutters may get a kick out of wondering how they will lose their money: will the horse not even run and the bookies keep your stake, will the hype horse be shown to be a moderate nag a week before the big race or maybe you'll just get beaten fair and square on the day. Anyway, here's probably the best advice you'll find on losing a bit of dough.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle
The first race of the meeting and it's more likely that there will be a bomb scare at the course than you picking the winner. I don't like the Irish but they'll probably win it like usual. Anyway, Mad Max can be the best of the British.

The Arkle
More novices, more uncertainties. What's the point in betting anti-post when so much depends on the weather? Panjo Bere wins if it's soft, Tatenen if it's firm. Easy.

Champion Hurdle
This is what it's all about - quality horses, lots of them. Why have a bet? Just enjoy the spectacle of one of the most competitive renditions of the race this century. Oh, I see, you have a gambling addiction. Binocular then.

Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle
It must be devastating for the horses in this race. They'll have to get to Cheltenham a week earlier than usually and begin this race on about the Monday and still live with the disappointment of knowing that Diamond Harry will start on the Wednesday at 2.05 and still storm past them up the hill, Timmy Murphy putting on all the style.

Royal and SunAlliance Chase
If anyone tells you they know what's going to win this race, their lying. I wouldn't ever trust them again. How do they know? You might as well put all the names in a hat, drop them from the roof of the largest building in your area and hold a Henry hoover up to the sky and see which name is sucked in. Like I just did. Carruthers, if your wondering.

Champion Chase
Paddy Power's the man isn't he? He's already paid out on Master Minded winning this. Good decision. Saves a lot of anti-post worrying and means you can have a bit of cash to spend on important things like fancy dress outfits and Special Brew... just me then?

Tune in for the thrilling second installment of this award winning (it's the my best at least) preview.

Missed Great-Leigh

I found it saddening this week to learn that Great Leighs has had its racecourse licence taken away. I'm not one to question whether it was because of poor financial management by John Holmes and his team or if building a racecourse in this time of economic uncertainty was a bad idea, but it would be a shame to let this exciting new project go to waste.
Admittedly, the course was not complete when it opened last year and there is still a fair bit of work to be done even now but I liked the place. Everyone was catered for well: owners are the people who fuel racing and these were looked after with a free buffet and comfortable bar; stable workers all got a free meal and there always seems to be a good crowd so they must be happy. Not many tracks can boast these qualities. The Newmarket July course is one which lets owners and trainers down catering wise.
My only quim on the place would be the grandstand. It is not a permenant solution that's for sure. Viewing is poor and the facilities inside it are pretty basic but money is obviously tight at the track so we'll have to do with it for now.
Although it has its haters, Great Leighs should be the future of all weather racing. It was starting to attract good horses and the prize money was decent as well. Alastair Down has sworn that he will 'never go to Great Leighs or bet on virtual horses.' But he had a bet at Steepledowns just the other day. And he liked it.
If Great Leighs is re-opened I think he should go. He'll like it.

Look out for my Cheltenham anti-post feature coming sooooon.