On The Turf

Alive and up for the Cup

2010-06-08T13:49:00.003+01:00

I'm alive, all is well. I'm done with uni now (can't believe how quickly three years can go) and I'm currently an unemployed graduate - you've probably seen one before, there's plenty knocking about these days.

World Cup time and I'd thought I'd let you into my 'portfolio'. It sounds very professional but the bets it contains are pretty amateur. Read and laugh as I try and justify betting away those hard earned (now taxable) pounds.

Holland to win outright (11-1)
Yes, everyone says the orange army implode at the big tournaments but it can't happen every time. Trends are there to be upset - look at Workforce, statisticians said no horse beaten in the Dante had won a Derby...until last Saturday. The Dutch team are full of quality: Van Bommel, Sneijder and Van Persie to name a few. The back four is a bit shaky but if they can keep it together, the Tango men will be champs.

Spain to win outright (5-1)
Okay, I've chickened out with this insurance policy but at this price, Spain look a cracking bet. Euro winners two years ago, no-one has looked like beating them since. Are sure to face a strong side in the last 16 from the Group 'of Death' G, they will be confident enough to breeze aside anyone (except Holland in the final hopefully!).

France to win Group A (2.46)
A stonking price - they won the tournament in '98 and still have the class to beat their group-mates. I'm not saying they'll go any further than the knock-out stage but they have the ability to dominate a weak group.

Honduras to concede most goals (9-1)
A tricky bet, with North Korea the favourites. Kim Jong Il's men are pretty dire but they didn't let many in against Mexico and Greece in friendlies so I'm willing to go with Honduras. They're a terrible bunch of men and how they even got to the finals is beyond me. A clean sheet is more common in Pete Doherty's bed than in a Honduras game and hopefully the likes of Switzerland, Spain and Chile can pile in the goals.

So you thought I'd gone.

2010-03-19T09:28:00.002Z

Wassup people.
As you may have guessed, I was more tan happy to let this blog die a slow and painful death by neglect but event have conspired against my mistreatment and words have been fed to a hungry page.
At the moment I do a weekly blog for geegeez.com and I sent the editor this article before the Champion Hurdle. It reads pretty forth telling in light of recent events...

We all know JP McManus loves a bet at Cheltenham during the third week of March. His rivalry with the late bookie Freddie ‘Fearless’ Williams has gone down in Festival folk law and Barry Dennis recently recalled how he was facing an £800,000 paid out to the Irishman had Barracuda got past Ingles Drever up the Prestbury Park hill in the 2005 Stayers’ Hurdle.
Last year, we saw a heavily gambled on Wichita Lineman scrape home in front in McManus’ green and gold silks to land the William Hill Trophy and some hefty bets to boot.
Most of the Irishman’s festival punts are a strongly held secret - only a few insiders know when the money’s down. Even his trainer, Jonjo O’Neill, isn’t really sure himself when JP’s ‘having it big’.
But could this year’s gamble have been his most exposed one yet? Is the news that this horse is going to be carrying more than his jockey right under our nose?
I’m talking about Binocular.
So marginally denied in last year’s Champion Hurdle, it was made no secret that Nicky Henderson’s steed would be a stronger, much tougher animal in 12 months time.
Since then, we have seen quite the opposite: comfortably beaten twice by Go Native before landing the odds in a poor three-runner affair at Sandown, the progress we were promised from Binocular has failed to materialise.
Despite these disappointments, dreams of going two places better in the Champion Hurdle were kept alive and the son of Enrique was available at odds of 6-1 for the championship event.
Now, this is where my thinking kicks in. Was JP McManus sitting in his mansion back in Ireland thinking: ‘Sixes! That’s far too short for a good ol’ gamble!’?
So what does he do?
BINOCULAR OUT OF CHAMPION WITH MUSCULAR PROBLEM read the next day’s headlines.
Boom. There’s no better way to get larger odds on a horse than to put their participation in doubt. Some bookies even took him out of their markets.
His chances had been written off.
A ‘muscular problem’ is a very good excuse. Unlike, say, a bone fracture or tendon injury, the period of recuperation varies upon the extent. With this, they can keep the horse out of the Champion Hurdle picture for as long or as little as they want.
So, surprise, surprise, last week we hear that Binocular is back on track for Cheltenham and he is immediately re-instigated in the betting markets. At 8-1.
Now, McManus takes a sip of his 25-year old malt, reclines in his armchair and thinks: ‘Eights! Pile in lads!’.

2010 - A big year for...

2010-01-11T16:34:00.001Z

I could easily give you the names of five or so horses to follow in the in the opening year of the…(what will this decade be called? The teenies?) but that’s not blogging, it’s tipping. Anyway, I’d probably be wrong. No, these are the human names that will reach a higher level in 2010, the people who you need on your side for the year ahead.

Jockey - Phil Makin.
After a fraught couple of seasons due to injuries, the ‘Tom Queally of the North’ was back with a bang in 2009. Like his southern counterpart, Makin is reliable, hard-working and gives it to you straight. With the momentum of a currently successful all-weather season behind him, he looks set to rake in a multitude of winners come the new season. Not only should he be pushing into the top 5 in the jockeys championship but a plunder of the odd valuable contest should be within. When the likes of Gosden, Stoute and Godolphin head up north and need a jockey, don’t be surprised if Makin gets the leg up.

Apprentice - Paul Pickard
Last season Frederik Tylicki proved that northern firepower can out-muster any southern attack by beating David Probert in a thrilling race for the apprentice’s championship. Likewise, a northern push could be enough to propel Pickard to the top of the rookie riders’ tree. After a promising 2009, he has decided to stay in England for the all-weather season - a wise move and one that should be rewarded with an expanding of his contacts book. Heading into the new season with a 5lb claim will make him an attractive proposition to many trainers, including that of his boss, Peter Midgeley. With an apparent natural aptitude for race- riding and a polite manner out of the saddle, Paul Pickard is a name to remember.

Trainer - Warren Greatrex
The pronunciation of his surname may be a matter of debate but there’s no doubt about the fact that Greatrex has equine firepower. The real task will be for the rookie handler to steer his horses in the right direction and aim them at the achievable targets. Backer Malcolm Denmark has put full faith in his trainer and the results have so far been highly encouraging. Greatrex has made no secret about the fact that anything he does now will be a stepping stone for future years but, from recent evidence, he big time may come sooner than he thinks.

Ok, I said I wouldn’t give you a horse to follow but there’s one bit of value I’ve seen that has to be gobbled up like the last roast potato at Christmas dinner. His name is Punjabi. Yes, that probably does ring a bell. He’s 12/1 for the Champion Hurdle, a race he won only last March. Even the each-way thieves can’t resist a price like that.

Why Tony McCoy will never be SPotY

2009-11-15T11:02:00.001Z

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

2009-11-13T16:50:00.002Z

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

2009-11-04T10:43:00.003Z

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

2009-10-23T19:29:00.005+01:00

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?

2009-10-19T16:51:00.004+01:00

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

2009-10-16T11:50:00.003+01:00

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)

2009-10-05T14:37:00.002+01:00

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

2009-10-04T11:01:00.003+01:00

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

2009-10-01T15:02:00.004+01:00

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

2009-09-29T08:37:00.004+01:00

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

2009-07-26T17:36:00.002+01:00

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

2009-07-19T20:10:00.004+01:00

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?

2009-06-30T14:04:00.002+01:00

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

2009-06-05T09:47:00.004+01:00

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

2009-05-26T19:30:00.004+01:00

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.

2009-05-04T12:15:00.000+01:00

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

2009-04-27T15:03:00.004+01:00

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

2009-04-27T15:03:00.003+01:00

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!

2009-04-20T16:36:00.002+01:00

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?

2009-04-01T19:48:00.002+01:00

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

2009-03-21T20:11:00.002Z

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.

2009-03-17T13:00:00.002Z

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

2009-03-03T18:11:00.002Z

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

2009-02-24T11:34:00.002Z

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

2009-02-12T10:20:00.001Z

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

2009-02-02T09:20:00.002Z

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

2009-01-31T11:58:00.003Z

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

2009-01-19T13:04:00.003Z

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.

Hitting The Post

2008-12-02T19:21:00.002Z

So, the Racing Post launched its new website this week and, to be frank, it's a pretty poor effort.
Yes, a carbon fibre style background and lots of arrows does make the site look aesthetically good but when you actually try and use the thing, blood boils.
First and foremost, the Racing Post and Racing UK are best mates. Officially. Like a couple of gay boys, they do everything hand-in-hand. And there it is, on the homepage of the site: 'Racing UK Live Stream'. Cool, a free racing channel one may naively think. Click, click and your asked to sign a subscription to watch it.
Missed another exciting installment of the seller at Wetherby? Don't worry watch it here on the Racing Post. Just give RUK some money first, thanks.
Why do they do it? The Post is expensive enough to buy as it is and then they want more money to watch races. Good old At The Races lets you watch racing from their tracks for free.
Anyway, back to the site. It's ironic that in racing the fastest horse wins the race and there you have the Racing Post website which is probably the slowest around. I just want to quickly look at the latest news but am given options of: related stories, top stories, latest stories, racing business. It's as though their trying too hard.
Herein laid the beauty of the old Racing Post site. Everything was simply arranged in black and white with no fancy graphics and if you wanted the day's results on one page, you could get the day's results on one page.
Innovators will say I'm just sceptical of change but it's going to take a whole lot of loving to like this new bird.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. x

Doubting Thomas

2008-12-01T18:40:00.002Z

Hello and welcome back. I've had a blogging sabbatical, learnt some martial arts and am now back louder and more opinionated than ever. Move over Big Mac, Rob Spirkett has returned!

Big news at the moment has to be the main man Sam Thomas.
He has had a shocking few days and from his last 30 odd rides has fell off 7 times which, in normal circumstances, would usually go unnoticed but when you look at what he has fallen off (Big Bucks, The Tother One, Gwanako, Kauto Star), you realise that he has been hitting the deck in some pretty big races.
It is an easy target for your couch jockey to slag Thomas off on the Betfair forum and be supported by plebs like 'chipmandave' and 'beerboylee' who are talking through their pockets. But is it really the lad's fault?
When things are going badly for a jockey, their confidence must hit rock bottom and you go out on to the track just praying that you'll finish the race. And these thoughts must be niggling at Thomas so, approaching a fence he'll probably take the safe option rather than firing them in, a choice which ultimately could cost him a few lengths and maybe the race.
Now, should Paul Nicholls give Thomas the mount on hot favourite Master Minded on Saturday in the Tingle Creek? Yes. As his boss, Nicholls should have full confidence in his jockey and let him ride the Champion Chase winner. He's proven that he can win big races; his ride on Denman in the Hennessy last year was sublime and he's ridden the quirky Kauto Star to victory.
Bad luck doesn't last forever and come Saturday afternoon, 'chipmandave' will be hailing Sam Thomas as the new McCoy.

A little tip for Wednesday is Swift Sailor in the 2.40 at Plumpton.

Laters

Riding with Handlebars

2008-06-02T16:17:00.000+01:00

Cast your mind back to 19th Century England; new technologies were appearing everyday in the build up to the Industrial Revolution and the country was the heart of a vast empire. But look a little closer. Can you see it? Yes, the jockeys had moustaches.
It's a rare sight nowadays to see a jockey with any facial hair at all, never mind structured handlebars.
The only jockey I have seen with pre-determined stubble is Mr G Edwards who rode in an amateur race once at Wolverhampton. Obviously the trend never caught on.
Looking back in the history books (ie. a quick search on Google), Tom Corrigan, an Australian jockey during the 1890s, was the last big name to sport a distinctive upper-lip hairstyle. At the time, in any part of the world, moustaches were common place at the racecourse with boys as young as five sporting one (albeit fake).
But times have changed. Today, any grown man seen with a caterpillar above his lip is either: a) a phsychopath, b) a paedophile or c) an accountant.
I think I can link this change in opinion to one man: Hitler.
But what are the practical aspects of letting the hair above the top lip grow? Well, for a start, think of all the mud and kickback that would get stuck in the hair. You'd pull up after 1m6f at Southwell and look like Father Christmas, maybe slightly less friendly. Also, having a tashe must be less aerodynamic, those extra whiskers could be the difference between winning and, well, being beaten by a whisker.
However, think of all the attention a distinctive facial trim would bring - lots of photos, strokings and maybe some women.
So, in conclusion to this scientific investigation, it would be extremly funny to see Frankie Dettori do a flying dismount with his handlebar moustache blowing in the breeze but, alas, I fear it will never happen. Why not do what England usually does in times of unhappiness - blame the Germans.

EXCLUSIVE: Spirit to return to Feilden

2008-05-30T15:31:00.001+01:00

One of last year's highest rated two-year-olds, Spirit of Sharjah, is set to return to his former trainer, Julia Feilden, subject to vetting.
The son of Invincible Spirit was one of the highlights of 2007, bringing success to Feilden's small Newmarket yard after he won his first two races, including a listed race at Goodwood, and then went on to put up a brave performance in the Norfolk Stakes to finish third behind the unbeaten Winker Watson.
Indeed, it was Winker Watson's trainer, Peter Chapple-Hyam, who was to benefit from this run, since after two disappointing runs in the July Stakes and the Molcombe, Spirit of Sharjah's owner, Alan Dee, decided to send his charge to the Derby winning trainer.
But the partnership never flourished and Spirit of Sharjah showed little in four runs since the move.
And so, Dee has decided to return his steed to Feilden in the hope that they can recapture some of the former glory.
"I'm having Spirit vetted to make sure he's physically alright," said 52 year-old Feilden. "He really put me on the map last year and I hope we can win some big races with him now."

Book(ies)

2008-05-25T15:52:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd bring a little culture to the blog and give a literary review of some of the best and worst horseracing books around.
Let's get the crap out of the way first and by far the worst book I have read is 'Arise Sir Frankie Dettori' by Marcus Stead. This book is so full of inaccuracies, it makes the author look like he doesn't have a clue about racing. Every horse, no matter what sex, is called 'her' and the horses 'ride' in races. What annoys me most though is how much Stead sucks up to Dettori like he is trying to earn brownie points; every time there is a controversial issue in the book, Stead either ignores the matter or comes to his subject's defense. If you want to read about Frankie's life, get the autobiography and ignore this rubbish. Another howler is Richard Johnson's autobiography 'Out of the Shadows'. He was still in his twenties when this was written and he hadn't really had much of a life - the book just goes on and on 'I rode this horse and then I rode this horse...' Boring. Also avoid the 5 book Jenny Pitman series which begins with 'On the Edge' which charts the troubles of woman trainer Jan Hardy. It is predictable and soppy rather like a the failure of a programme that was 'Rough Diamond'.
Cast these pieces of excrement aside and read some real literary gems. Top of the bunch is Dick Francis' 'Field of Thirteen' - a compilation of 13 short stories which always come with an unexpected twist. If you want to read a Francis novel, read 'Whip Hand'. Once you've read one of his books, you've read them all. Forget the film, 'Seabiscuit' the book by Laura Hillenbrand is a masterpiece. Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, the story is brilliantly and accurately told. Hillenbrand paints the picture of the time perfectly and puts you in the centre of the action. A couple of decent autobiographies are 'Obsessed' by Richard Dunwoody and 'The Wayward Lad' by Graham Bradley. Both talk with honesty and intimacy which in the end makes you respect the men themselves. And finally. another jockey (but not an autobiography). John Francome is starting to churn out some decent stories which are never the same. 'Stone Cold' - the struggle of a young lady jockey to become a success - is one of the best whilst 'Stalking Horse' is not far behind with it's tale of a top jockey coming to terms with retirement and a stalker.

2008-05-22T12:07:00.000+01:00

To be honest, I didn't really care who won the Champions' League Final. I don't have a preference for either Man Utd or Chelsea and all I wanted to see was an entertaining match. The first 120 minutes of the game were alright but lacked any real drama and could have done with some more goals. Rooney never got a mention whilst Tevez missed some easy chances. Drogba didn't deserve to be sent off but I'm glad he was - the arrogant twat. What really annoys me about top-flite football nowadays is all the diving; as soon as a player is touched, he goes to ground in excrutiating agony which disappears all of a sudden when the free kick is awarded. Those football players sure do heal bloody fast. Then we went to a good old penalty shootout and you can rely on a decent English player missing his penalty. John Terry may have slipped but this miss was just a sad reflection on the England side in general.

Like Southgate, Waddle and Beckham, racecourses made some gaffes this week. How Ayr and Sandown could water the course but manage to make parts of the track too soft to race on beats me. The only reason I can think of is that there is a hole in the hose which water leaks out of and soaks that part of the track. It just wastes people's time as they travel to the races only to find out that racing is abandoned because someone kept the taps on for too long.
Another man who looked like an idiot this week was Sam Thomas at Fakenham, when he finished the race a circuit too soon. Ok, it is hard to count how many circuits you should do around the small Norfolk course but isn't it obvious that the race isn't over when none of the other jockeys are pushing their mounts and your horse is travelling so comfortably? A ban was the only suitable punishment. Live and learn folks, live and learn.

I don't really back two year olds because you never know what to suspect from them but the vibes are good for BARWELL BRIDGE to run well in the 2.15 at Goodwood today.

Stowstowquickquickstow

2008-05-16T16:13:00.000+01:00

It's with great sadness that I bring the news to you of the closure of Walthamstow greyhound racetrack in August. I've been to the 'Stow a few times before and it was a good night out - comfortable viewing, great banter and pretty local to most of south-east England. But if a business is losing money, as the north London racetrack was, there is only one inevitability - closure. The land the track is on will probably be converted to housing and I feel this may be a signal for things to come in the greyhound racing world. Crowds are dwindling and the dogs simply aren't reliable enough betting fodder for punters. Don't be surprised if a few more tracks announce closure in months to come.

On another matter, the 'Tote Flat Ten to Follow 2008' deadline is fast approaching and I've picked out a few that might be worth putting faith in:
RAVENS PASS - disappointed many in the Craven but now he is dropped back to sprinting he should be victorious.
NEW APPROACH - he may have been beaten in the guineas but he is still a machine nonetheless.
RAMONTI - come Royal Ascot he will hose up and collect you some points.
YEATS - doesn't run much but when he does, he wins.
PEEPING FAWN - as tough as old boots and is a sure thing in the fillies' races. Expect a lot of points from her.
SEPTIMUS - might have to play second fiddle to Yeats but if the big guy lets people down then expect Septimus to take his place.
SAKHEES SECRET - improved extraordinarily last season and will no doubt be the top sprinter this one.
RED ROCKS - goes for all the big races and is always thereabouts. He'll keep a steady supply of points coming in.
FAT BOY - won't win big races but will keep winning the ones that count.
WINKER WATSON - unbeatable last season and will be this one aswell.

All's well that ends well

2008-05-12T14:56:00.000+01:00

That's that done until August then.
The Premier League was wrapped up this weekend and, to say the least, it didn't really capture my imagination. Kevin Keegan spoke this week of finding it impossible for his club to break into the top four of the league (Everton are the only side to have done this in the last six years) but I think the Premiership is all about two clubs. Chelsea have been given enough money to mount a challenge whilst Man Utd have earned enough money to win the title. Soon enough, these two will get bored of their English counterparts and form a new league consisting of the top clubs in Europe. I think the 'Euro Super League' is a nice name Seb Blatter.
The most interesting and competitive part of the top flight is the relegation dog fight. Derby were relegated in about December (on another matter - why did Paul Jewell go there?) but the tussle that was left proved fascinating to observe.
Fulham showed great determination to avoid the drop and Danny Murphy is a bald legend who was a favourite of mine at Liverpool but he does good deeds for the lesser clubs now.

Racing at Chester was competitive but with respect to the classic trials, I don't think there will be any winners to come from them.
Channel 4's racing coverage is top notch and their piece with Michael Owen was fascinating. The footballer really has put in a lot of time, money and effort to build one of the best training centres in Britain. However, I think many people are misled into thinking that Nicky Vaughn is a private trainer for Owen but the Toon striker was keen to suggest that this is not the case and the facilities which he has built for owners reinterates this sentiment.

If you fancy a flutter, try RAPID CITY today in the 4.00 at Yarmouth.

2008-05-07T15:45:00.000+01:00

Chester this week then and with the weather we're experiencing, it would be a joy to be there. I've ridden at the Roodeye a couple of times and it is some experience: because it is a track small in size, the place is always crammed full of scousers. When going to the start of a race, there are people everywhere; either side of you, up above you on the city wall and even below you in the tunnel under the track. To ride, the track is just one big bend - I don't even think the home stretch is straight. But be warned, if you're drawn wide, you might as well give up because the course exagerates the fact that the wider you go, the more ground you lose.
So, with this in mind, remember to back horses drawn low and look out for the Hollyoaks girls who occassionally frequent the Chesire track.

I know I said I shouldn't give any more tips but may I redeem myself? On Friday, NUMIDE is in the Ormonde stakes (2.45) at Chester and I think he'll be in with a squeek. On his best form, he is the best horse in the race and although this still maybe the case, he isn't guaranteed to try as hard as he should. Just look at his hurdles form; he won his first two races and then disappointed afterwards as soon as he figured out what it was all about. Hopefully, the return to the flat will spark him up and the oddity that is Chester racecourse will surprise him into running well.
Have a bit each-way at 6/1.

Guineas/Guinness

2008-05-05T11:50:00.000+01:00

I guess you want a little review of the big races over the weekend.
I was at the Rowley Mile on Saturday and it was absolutely packed full of people. The big races really do pull the spectators in.
I think the runner-up New Approach was the best horse in the 2000 Guineas and he only got beat because he had to do all the donkey work in front. Nevertheless, Henrythenavigator put up an exceptional performance to win but he may not be of the right calibre to win the Derby.
These first two were well clear of the rest and the only one to follow from them is Ravens Pass who didn't stay the trip and will run better when dropped to 6/7 furlongs.
The 1000 Guineas on Sunday was a bit of a strange race and Natagora was in the best place in front where she could avoid all the trouble in behind. One who did suffer interference was Nahoodh and Richard Hughes was adamant that he would have won with a clear run. I don't. Saoirsie Abu is the one to take out of the race; the firmer the ground, the better and I can see her winning at Royal Ascot or Glorious Goodwood this year.
The Guineas may have been the big race on Saturday, but the strangest must have been the 5.45. Henry Cecil's Anjaan was extremely immature and in the final furlong he drifted across the course to smash into another runner, nearly knocking both of them over. Despite this, Anjaan managed to rally in the last strides and win the race. How connections managed to keep the race in the stewards' room, I will never know.
But the highlight of the sporting weekend was the Championship matches on Sunday. I think Stoke won't last a minute in the Premier League but they seem to be happy anyway. Southampton put up a mammouth display to win their game and stay up but Leceister weren't so lucky. They've never been relegated to the third tier of football before and the current squad is a far cry from the one of the 90s I remember of Casey Keller, Robbie Savage, Muzzy Izzet etc.

Still got your health

2008-05-01T11:41:00.000+01:00

I suppose it could have been worse. I mean, it's probably more demoralising to lose in the final to Man Utd than in the semi to Chelsea.
The Reds were simply outplayed in the opening half and Drogba's first goal was a blinder - he managed to place the ball into the smallest gap in the goal face. It was fortunate that Chelsea had missed a few chances and Liverpool went into the second half still with a chance.
Fernando Torres took his chance after 64 mnutes and put the score level. At this moment, we recollected moments like this in the past; a draw in a crucial Champions League match. They all had a common ending - Liverpool won and penalties decided it.
Indeed, penalties did decide the game, but there was only one. Hyypia clumsily brought down Ballack in the box and Lampard needed no excuse (but he gave one: his late mother) to send Reina the wrong way and put the Blues back in front.
Then the scousers crumbled.
It all happened so quickly. One minute we're drawing, the next we're 3-1 down. I don't think I even saw Drogba's second goal because tears were obscuring my vision. It just was not right - Liverpool are the ones who pull out the special performance in these kind of games but Chelsea humiliated us. There was one Blues fan in the pub who was screaming his head off when his team's third goal went in. To be honest, I just felt like ripping his head off.
Babel's goal in the dying minutes of the game was a consolation and if it had been the winner, we would all be reliving the moment in our heads and describing it as the goal of the season. But it wasn't and Liverpool lost, so it was just a another goal.
Ah well, as they say, 'It's only a game'. At least we've still got our health.

Never Mind

2008-04-28T18:41:00.000+01:00

It's just as well that this blog isn't set up primarily to give tips because since the Grand National winner, I havn't given any. However, my mate has got a tipping blog going (http://jimmypugh.blogspot.com/) and he tipped 6 winners last week. I'll leave it to him.

Anyway, this is a big sporting week, what with the Champions' League Semis and the Guineas at Newmarket. I shall be making a trip to HQ on Saturday to see the 2000 Guineas and it should be a great race.
On the football front, as a Reds fan, I hope Liverpool can get a few goals at Stamford Bridge and sail through to the final in Moscow. With the other semi, I hope Barcelona can win just to see the look on the Man Utd fans' faces - a lot of them have already bought Russian visas at £60 a go. The arrogance!
With the Premier League though, I think it will be a tough call. Man U probably have the easier two games with West Ham and Wigan whereas Chelsea play a resurgent Newcastle and Bolton. It will be a close encounter whatever the results.

I've heard it on the grape vine that if Leeds win their appeal to get back the 15 points they were deducted at the beginning of the season, something radical might happen to League One. The FA could allow 3 automatic promotion places into the Championship while keeping the 4 play-off places, in effect meaning that 4 teams will get promoted from League One. This would make a 25 team Championship next year. That would be some league!

Easy Money

2008-04-27T12:44:00.000+01:00

Just a quick tip today; Bavarika (6.25 Southwell) on Monday should win. There may only be four runners in the race, but the filly will be a generous price (6/1). Most pundits will think that she will need the race, although work-watchers in Newmarket tell me that Bavarika is absolutely flying. She has a low weight and should not get too much kickback due to the small field.

2008-04-24T12:14:00.002+01:00

If he had meant it, it was a bloody good goal.
But unfortunately, John Arne Riise didn't want to see the ball in the back of his own net. I just could not believe what he did; it was the last play of the match, all he had to do was kick the ball into touch, it fell to his knees, why did he header it? The general feeling amongst Liverpool fans is that it was a freak accident and Riise is a popular enough player to live it down. The Reds now face a hard task in trying to win at Stamford Bridge next week to qualify for the Champion's League final, but I hope they can do it. After all, Chelsea will have to put out a strong team this weekend to play Manchester United in what is effectively the Premier League decider. Liverpool on the other hand, do not have much pressure on their weekend game, so it would be no surprise if Rafa Benitez rested the key players for the second leg whereas Chelsea's key men might be tired from playing so much intense football.

The Manchester United V Barcelona semi final was a bit of a bore. After Ronaldo missed his early penalty, you knew his team were going to struggle. Barcelon outplayed their rivals and were unlucky not to score. Edwin Van Der Sar was United's saviour. I can see the spanish side winning the second leg 1-0.

For those of you wondering why I study the mystery that is Barney Curley, I will provide you with a little snippet of the enigma:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3zONsajoJi0
It's definitely worth a watch.

The handicapper's the fool

2008-04-20T18:49:00.004+01:00

It made the handicapping system look like a joke; Iris De Balme won the Scottish National from 26lb out of the handicap. For those of you who don't understand the handicapping of racehorses, this feat is the equivalent of Charlton Athletic giving Arsenal a three goal lead and then coming back to win the game. In theory, it should be impossible. But this is horseracing where nothing is impossible and Charlie Huxley proved it by steering his mount to a 14 length victory. Charlie has made a remarkable start to his career, he narrowly beat me to the amateur title during the summer, he is an excellent rider and the horses just seem to run for him. No doubt he will turn professional next year and become one of the top jocks around.
The first day of racing seemed to go very well at Great Leighs today and sources tell me that everyone there received free food and drink to make up for the fact that most of the infrastructure at the course is not complete yet. The track seemed to be riding fair and the bends looked long and sweeping so there should be no bias to front running horses as there is at Lingfield.
My champion I Have Dreamed runs at Plumpton tomorrow (2.20) and it is hoped that he can get back to winning ways after running poorly at Kempton last time when it was later found that he had a flu virus.

2008-04-18T12:17:00.000+01:00

Hello muckers,
I've been in Newmarket for the Craven meeting and also at the horse sales at Tattersalls. Unsurprisingly, I have a few points to make.
Firstly, I thought Twice Over's victory in the Craven Stakes was very impressive and he will be a tough nut to crack if he goes for the Derby in June.
Secondly, at Tattersalls I was amazed by the prices the horses were selling for. With over £11 million being traded over the two days of the sale, it is hard to believe that the country is under a 'credit crunch'. The average price for each horse at the sale was £102000 and this is incredible when you think that the horses being sold were unraced two year olds. What could the buyers be hoping for? Yes, their steed could become a champion and go on to earn millions of pounds as a stallion, but out of the 180 horses that were sold, there could probably be one (if any) of this calibre. Some of the horses will just be moderate performers who will never justify what the owners paid for them while many will not even be good enough to make the racecourse and will later be sold for £1000 as a riding horse. That only makes a loss of £101000, good work.

Anyway, Great Leighs becomes the first English racetrack in 80 years to be built and it will be interesting to see if there are any draw bias and what type of running style is most successful. But to make it a profitable opening for you, I suggest backing RAPID CITY(3.50). He looked like a machine when notching a series of wins until he was injured last spring. Reports say he was unlucky last time at Kempton and everything is in position for a big run.

Me and Mrs Jones

2008-04-14T13:19:00.000+01:00

If you didn't read it, go here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=559221&in_page_id=1770

Just to get this clear, usually I am quite a placid fellow; I enjoy golf and sometimes partake in walking activities but when I read this article, man was I infuriated.
Liz Jones went to Aintree to watch the Grand National. Firstly, she must have done a quick survey, seen that most people (10 at most) around her were drinking alcohol and thus deduced that 100% of the 70,000 spectators at the racecourse were ‘barely conscious’. Having discovered this, she then heroically fights her way to the bar and asks for some water. (WATER?).
Following this, Jones adds to her secret agent credidentials by saying she was ‘closely watched throughout the day’ by Merseyside Police because she was believed to be an animal activist. She was probably watched because she looked suspicious, like some sort of bomber, with her dark clothes, lack of make up and dull expression.
Then she continues by explaining that the 25 horses who didn’t complete the National all fell, ‘turning cartwheels, crashing onto its neck’. Hang on deary, if you actually look at the results, you will find that of the 25 who didn’t complete the course, 11 fell, 8 unseated the rider and 6 were pulled up.
Then, the horse that the article hangs on, McKelvey is described. Jones says that after unseating his rider, the horse reared over and broke his back. Where did she get this information from? All sources have said that the horse ran into a post. This could have happened at any racecourse in the country.
And then Jones whips me into a frenzy by claiming that horse people do not have the animal’s best interests at heart. The horses were born to race, their lives would be meaningless if all they were allowed to do was stay in their stables.
Apparently, ‘thoroughbreds are intelligent animals’ and only follow others when riderless because they are ‘frightened’. What? If the horses were so clever, they would think ‘mmm, this racing game is rather cruel, I think I’ll go and munch on some grass’. They carry on with the others because they enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Finally, why ask of Simon Earle’s opinion? He has had 14 winners in the last five years, his horses are infamous for slipping over in races because they have no shoes on and to be honest, he is struggling for success.

Well, let us just leave Liz Jones to her vegetarian ways and come and enjoy some racing!

Another one?

2008-04-11T16:54:00.000+01:00

After the resounding success of last week’s tip in the Grand National, I feel obliged to make it a regular feature of this blog to give you a winner for the weekend’s big race.
And this Saturday we focus on the Doncaster Mile (3.35). It may have less than a quarter of the number of horses participating than in the National but it is still a tricky contest.

These are the ones you need to know about (current price in brackets):
Don’t Panic (7/4) - hacked up in the Spring Mile at this course last time out and goes on any ground. Should win but it will be at a short price.
Tell (7/2) - I don’t really fancy this horse; he has been found out in this class before and I think the others will be simply too good for him.
Medicine Path (4/1) - trainer thinks he will need the race to get fully fit and I can see him struggling.
Blythe Knight (6/1) - a grand old horse and ran a cracker last time in the Lincoln but he has to give weight away to all his rivals and he surely cannot improve at the age of eight.
Re Barolo (18/1) - In a competitive race, I think it will be best to back this one each-way. He needed his first few runs to get fit but then won a good race at Wolverhampton. He handles the turf and should run into a place at a big price.

Spirkett’s prediction: 1st - Don’t Panic
2nd - Re Barolo
3rd - Blythe Knight

2008-04-09T12:47:00.000+01:00

As an unbiased journalist, it was a spectacle to savour.
As a Liverpool fan, it was the stuff of dreams.

Yes, I'm talking about the game last night in which Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-2 to get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Arsene Wenger may have bemoaned the 'dodgy decisions' but at the end of the day, Liverpool beat Wenger's side by two goals. It was not an easy game for the Reds. Arsenal played magnificent football which climaxed in Theo Walcott's amazing run over almost the whole length of the pitch to set Adebayor up for the Gunner's equaliser. Had that goal been the last of the game, Walcott would surely now be talked about as England's most promising player.
Unfortunately for Walcott and his team-mates, it was not the last goal. The penalty which Babel created for Liverpool was debatable and in contrast to the decision that occured when the teams met at the weekend, the decision looks inconsistent. The goal which put the result to bed five minutes later was definite. Arsenal were caught sulking at having conceded a goal and as a result they let standards drop.
Steven Gerrard said it was his worst performance in a Liverpool shirt but with a result like that, nobody took him seriously.
So, we'll leave Wenger to his complaints and just realise the fact that Liverpool are a different class in Europe.

Come on baby light my fire.

2008-04-07T13:06:00.000+01:00

The Olympic Torch relay took place through London yesterday and what a calamity it was. (See a video at http://www.guardian.co.uk/ uk/video/2008/apr/07/torch.protests.london)
The torch was lit at Wembley stadium in front of about ten people but as it left the arena, some mad campaigners tried to jump through the closed doors of the bus which the torch was to enter. What nutters! Whenever I get a bus, I wait at a bus stop and stick my arm out at the bus which then stops and the doors open so I can board. Maybe they should try this technique next time.
And then, as the torch is being held by a runner who is surrounded by security, a man who is just merely waving a flag of his favourite football team (Arsenal?) to the camera, is savagely dump tackled to the ground by a police officer who must have been a Tottenham fan.
The moment when a protester sprayed a fire extinquisher at the torch made me laugh. The policemen went mad as they probably thought it was some gaseous form of anthrax whereas in reality, the protester was just sticking to the strict health and safety restrictions of London which state that no fires should be lit in the street.
I'm not politically biased or anything but just for a laugh, if I had been selected to carry the torch, I would have lobbed the torch off Tower Bridge and seen how everyone would react. It's a shame Trevor Macdonald never thought of doing it.
And why in Grenwhich did the Chairman of the Beijing Olympic Comittee give his speech in Chinease? Last time I watched, the characters of Eastenders all spoke English. I suppose no one wanted to stop the bloke as he looked pretty happy with himself.

Your Starter at Tens...

2008-04-06T14:53:00.000+01:00

Well, the blog is only 4 days old but has already tipped the winner of the Grand National! Comply or Die did the business for us at 7/1 but I hope you were on at my advised 10/1.
Turning into the straight, you just knew Timmy Murphy had the race in the bag as his mount had proven stamina and he galloped all the way to the line.
I thought I might have pulled off the 1-2 but Bewleys Berry just lacked that extra bit of speed in the end but still finished a creditable fifth.

The National is always a great race to watch even if you have no financial interest involved. Here are some of my highlights: (view the race again at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7332863.stm)
Tumbling Dice firing his jockey into the turf at the 3rd fence,
J Barry's craziness in going right up the inner (where the jump is bigger) at Becher's Brook and inevitably falling,
The first words Tony McCoy said after falling at Becher's Brook (they obviously cannot be published on a website for all ages such as this).

So, does this signal the future of this blog? Will you followers prosper by taking my advice? Only time will tell, and that, my dear, is all your getting today.

The Start of a Revolution?

2008-04-04T00:35:00.000+01:00

Well, thanks for visiting.

I set this blog up just to unite the people who have an interest in a wide range of sports and especially horseracing.

Feel free to disagree and remember (as the Guardian say) 'Comment is free'.

A Wild Stab in the Dark?

2008-04-03T17:05:00.001+01:00

You could pick a nice name or even try and consume the vast amount of tips the Racing Post gives you. But in all honesty, there is only one guide to the 2008 Grand National - AND IT'S HERE!

These are the horses that you need to know about for the big race (current price in brackets):

Cloudy Lane: Comes into the reace in terrific form and has been thrown in at the weights but he needs the ground to be softer than it currently is. Plus, do you really want to be backing a horse at this short a price in a race as unpredictable as the National? (11/2)

Comply or Die: This is my selection for the race. He won well last time and has proven stamina as well as being better in the weights than when being beaten by Cloudy Lane at Haydock. The only concern is that he can run the odd stinker. (10/1)

Slim Pickings: I can't believe people fancy this horse; he has no real form and has too much weight on his back. I think people just consider Tom Taaffe to be a shrewd trainer and that this horse has been lined up to win. HE WON'T. (10/1)

Simon: It would be a fairytale result if this horse won for owner Mercy Rimmell but I just think the horse is too small to be winning with over 11 stone on its back around Aintree. (12/1)

Bewleys Berry: Ran a poor race last time but has form arouns the big fences and hails from the shrewd Howard Johnson yard. Each-way possibility. (14/1)

...And finally,
Joes Edge: This is the big each-way bet. He has not ran well since his Cheltenham triumph lasy year but he usually comes good this time of year, jumps really well and the big fences should perk him up. (40/1)

Spirkett's prediction:
1st - Comply Or Die
2nd - Bewleys Berry
3rd - Joes Edge

Hope this advic s fortuous for you and feel free to disagree.