I am trying to see through the piles of swept up ticker tape, media self promotion, fairground distractions and indeed, sentimental overlay (that has become the norm on ITV) that has been generated on the Grand National since Saturday.
Overall, it was big disappointment, I think, as so many contenders were struck out of the equation in running but it seemed to be worse this year. Nothing new there, but nonetheless disappointing. Then there were the two horse deaths which were (I think) deliberately glossed over with a euphemism rushed out by Aintree racecourse PR outfit that they had all returned to their stables. That's been rightly piled on by social media.
I am happy for the wonderful luck (and perhaps skill), for those who picked the winner.
I thought the shine was taken off SWC's win by his blatant misuse of the whip and his subsequent suspension. The tabloid Press loves a story about "the little man" triumphing, but I found it risible to see him characterised as that!
The bookies made the most phenomenal killing at a time when they have screwed down punters with algorithms and scandalous practices requiring details of personal bank accounts, place of residence, etc, that no regulatory body or politician appears willing to tackle. That's without talking about the ongoing exploitation of vulnerable gamblers which shows no sign of abating.
Mr Incredible was well named. What a nutter! Wonder if he'll see a racecourse again? Certainly deleted from my tracker which has produced 3 today who could all have me hovering over the delete button.
Nap 1515 Hexham Hystery Bere
purely on the grounds of being the biggest price - a Moida strategy. Anyone know of he is in good health?
Be lovelt to be at Hexham today, but then any day there is.
It's interesting how you learn a lot about people from the way they react to the success or achievement of others. I really hadn't expected to see Sam Waley-Cohen being the subject of such sarcasm, bitterness and pure envy for winning the Grand National. Maybe he earned it for having the sheer audacity to be a wealthy man whose hobby it is to ride National Hunt horses owned by his wealthy family. Forget the "galloping dentist" sobriquet - that's just a hook for the tabloids to hang on their story. It's purely down to his riches, it seems to me. Little mention has been made of his excellence as a horseman throughout his career, his mastery of the demands of Cheltenham and particularly those Aintree brush fences, and his astute race riding as evidenced on Saturday. It's a shame that he heads into retirement in such a sour atmosphere created by the carping of Corbynist moralists.
Listen to yourself for once. "Rich person's self indulgence" sounds so judgmental and mean spirited. Other people call it a hobby. Criticise the rules and the rulemakers if you want. But not the characters of the individuals who are perfectly within their rights to take part in the sport.
Reading your run down of gifted current and past amateur riders, I don't doubt the passion, accuracy or sincerity of your views. I have always appreciated your erudition about horse racing to which I could never aspire. But it just makes me feel that it's a bygone age - and probably time to bring it up to date.
I can see why you don't like the notion that it is a rich person's self-indulgence, but I think it's a fair description for someone who is so rich s/he does not need to work but chooses to dabble in a professional sport to which others have to give their whole lives to make a living. I don't see anythign wrong with being judgemental, as I have tried to explian about ethics and morality previously. And it must be the case that they keep those "journey"men and women jockeys out of a job at some level. perhaps at a very high level. The fact that others call it a "hobby" just re-inforces my view that its time has come.
I don't know enough about the lower echelons of amateurs to make a comment. I see no reason why the amateurs can't have separate events.
You once again claim that I have criticised the "characters" of specific jockeys, but I wonder where you found that? I criticised Frankie for riding for Baffaert and SWC for misuse of the whip and IMHO having an unfair advantage over the pros as penalties mean nothing to him. I think it's about fairness. I was quite content with SWC on Saturday until I saw the misuse of the whip. The ridiculous Press PR was another matter.
What makes you think SWC doesn't work? I gather he is tied to Zoom meetings and site visits and other day-to-day responsibilities just like anyone else in business, and the responsibility of steering his own business with 300 clinics and all the staff he employs is considerable. He acknowledges that work pressures has meant it has been increasingly difficult to pursue his riding passion, and that is the reason he has bowed out now - on a considerable high. The idea that he was an amateur rider that is "so rich he doesn't need to work" is plain wrong. You are forcing me to sound like his PR guru but what I tried to do was refute the notion that amateur riders are wealthy Hooray Henrys or Sloane Rangers with trust funds who lollop along on their expensive thoroughbreds, just getting in the way of the hardened pros who truly suffer hardship if they get a whip ban. Your prejudices betray you.
I took you up on Dettori and his riding for Baffert (n.b. spelling) before. Once again, Frankie did track work for the American trainer out in California some 30 years ago. There is a mutual relationship of respect and loyalty which you can express a dislike for if you wish. The current legal proceedings are not something on which we can make a definitive judgment until they are completed.
I suppose your efforts "to explain ethics and morality" go down well enough in the classroom, but here it seems a matter of overthinking every aspect of the sport of racing and ignoring its essential appeal. There is something in it for everyone to enjoy if they would only look.
It's hard to imagine a more wide open Class 5 handicap than this one. 12 runners, a 6/1 favourite and the second highest price in the market is 14/1. You could make a case for all 12, but if I had to boil it down to Jimmy Walton versus Jane Walton (no relation). I would say Jimmy's Cudgel would be a likely winner for his course record, while Jane's Real Armani is game and consistent and has been eased 4lb for his last run at Carlisle when out of the handicap on ground a bit lively for him. He too has a good course record. 14/1 is a nice e.w. price.
Yesterday's nap Midnight Callisto won at 2/1 yesterday
I'll try Wemyss Point 4.50P today
Cudgel - 14.40 Hexham
I am trying to see through the piles of swept up ticker tape, media self promotion, fairground distractions and indeed, sentimental overlay (that has become the norm on ITV) that has been generated on the Grand National since Saturday.
Overall, it was big disappointment, I think, as so many contenders were struck out of the equation in running but it seemed to be worse this year. Nothing new there, but nonetheless disappointing. Then there were the two horse deaths which were (I think) deliberately glossed over with a euphemism rushed out by Aintree racecourse PR outfit that they had all returned to their stables. That's been rightly piled on by social media.
I am happy for the wonderful luck (and perhaps skill), for those who picked the winner.
I thought the shine was taken off SWC's win by his blatant misuse of the whip and his subsequent suspension. The tabloid Press loves a story about "the little man" triumphing, but I found it risible to see him characterised as that!
The bookies made the most phenomenal killing at a time when they have screwed down punters with algorithms and scandalous practices requiring details of personal bank accounts, place of residence, etc, that no regulatory body or politician appears willing to tackle. That's without talking about the ongoing exploitation of vulnerable gamblers which shows no sign of abating.
My nap today is a horse that I think may be owned by the Chancellor’s wife. It’s Taxmeifyoucan in the 15.15 at Hexham.
Allardyce 2.40 Hexham is the nap.
Mr Incredible was well named. What a nutter! Wonder if he'll see a racecourse again? Certainly deleted from my tracker which has produced 3 today who could all have me hovering over the delete button.
Nap 1515 Hexham Hystery Bere
purely on the grounds of being the biggest price - a Moida strategy. Anyone know of he is in good health?
Be lovelt to be at Hexham today, but then any day there is.
It's interesting how you learn a lot about people from the way they react to the success or achievement of others. I really hadn't expected to see Sam Waley-Cohen being the subject of such sarcasm, bitterness and pure envy for winning the Grand National. Maybe he earned it for having the sheer audacity to be a wealthy man whose hobby it is to ride National Hunt horses owned by his wealthy family. Forget the "galloping dentist" sobriquet - that's just a hook for the tabloids to hang on their story. It's purely down to his riches, it seems to me. Little mention has been made of his excellence as a horseman throughout his career, his mastery of the demands of Cheltenham and particularly those Aintree brush fences, and his astute race riding as evidenced on Saturday. It's a shame that he heads into retirement in such a sour atmosphere created by the carping of Corbynist moralists.
Course specialist cudgel in the hexham 2,40 is a rather unbold ew nap to see if i can get back to picking a horse that returns some winnings.
re Golf i had the winner but only because i follow Steve Palmer in stick/hole matters and he was his pick.
Ey up it’s Maggie 15:40 Ponte Nap
3.40 Pontefract - Rebel At Dawn (each way)
Igraine. 14.30. Tramore.
Autocorect continued to choose Migraine which is what I will have when that Horse finishes.
Maplewood nap (14:40). NB would be niblwali (14:50)