Tuesday October 11th 2022

Rhythm won 12/1 EW Nap

Audience won at 12/1

That tough and reliable jockey Kevin Jones is quitting due to the wear and tear to his body from injuries and fasting. His interview here makes sobering reading. His struggle to make ends meet should make those who run racing sit up and take notice.

The stable staff wage increases have been announced which kick in from the 14th November. Badly needed but will be the final nail in the coffin for a fair few trainers and makes having a horse trained here even more expensive for owners against even lower returns.

Waiting until next spring was never a good idea to sort things ,maybe the BHA might get a shift on now.

Greg Wood wrote this on 8 October:

As the runners were going to post attention turned to a plane trailing a banner that read “# freeshamsa” making several passes over the Rowley Mile. Sheikh Mohammed, whose daughter Shamsa was allegedly kidnapped from a street in nearby Cambridge more than 20 years ago and is believed to have been held in Dubai ever since, was not at the track to see a race sponsored by his Darley Stud operation. She did attend all three days of Newmarket’s prestigious Book 1 sale at Tattersalls earlier in the week.

I just now posted a helpful correction on TH:

Wishful thinking, I fear, Greg. I'm sure Shamsa would like nothing more than to be able to stroll round looking at well-bred yearlings at Newmarket sales. I'm sure you meant to say that it was the late Sheikh Hamdan's daughter Sheikha Hissa that was spotted appraising the bluebloods at Tatts.

My post was red-carded literally within seconds. Full marks for vigilance by Guardian moderators - that was an embarrassing and potentially costly error to have made. Meanwhile there is no subject that gets the G hopping up and down like a cat on a hot tin roof than any reader comment on the doings of the ruling family of Dubai.

Dilton's cautionary note about Milton Harris's horses proved very apposite with Mullenbeg getting turned over in a desperate race at Huntingdon.

War correspondent, wins 7/2

I take the point about small fields but it does give some opportunities for smaller yards. I was delighted for Northumberland trainer Tim Reed that his Big Difference could win a 6k pot. It's not a fortune but it makes a, er, big difference to a small yard. Tim bought the horse out of the Ben Pauling yard and he's been a consistent sort without getting much help from the handicapper. But he spotted the race and brought the horse all the way down from the Tyne Valley to Hereford, not something he would do lightly. Big Difference is indeed a big lad and has a pounding action, so it's surprising that he is best on a sound surface, which it definitely is today. Tim's son Harry rode a clever race, grabbed the rail on the final bend from the Skelton hotpot and conjured a big leap at the last to seal it.

A few more runners at Hereford wouldn't have gone amiss...its a pretty poor show for naps as it doesnt make for attractive betting heats.

Huntingdon a little better and i'll try No Recollection in the 15.47 - i should really be trying to picjk a 25 to 1 shot at one of the flat meetinngs...Maybe tomorrow!

One Cool Poet. 14.20. Punchestown.

Ribhi 4.50 Leicester, well done yesterdays winners.

I believe someone once said that success can be defined as the ability to move from one failure to the next without any loss of enthusiasm. Seems apt for me at the moment.

Today’s failure, sorry I mean selection, is Bertie’s Wish (each way) in the 18.35 at Newcastle.

Ribhi 4.50L nap

Rhythm 20:05 New’c EW Nap

Nothing today. Buick has 1 for Charlie but Haggas is about 33% now so

Nap Leic 1720 Tairann

which is much longer. He aint running them 'to see how they do on their first day at school'

My nap is Audience 4.50

Bonne Debut - 16.40 Punchestown

Beautiful Aisling 3.40L.

Nap 4.50 Leicester - Star of Orion

War Correspondent. Punchestown 1.45