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Dear Racing Post
Can you remind us again why you are paying Nicky Henderson to ‘write’ a column in your newspaper every Saturday?
Given that Binocular has had a problem for the last 2 weeks do you think it’s reasonable to assume that this information should perhaps have been passed on to the public?
Like others have suggested, I don’t suspect foul play, just plain stupidity.
This thread didn’t start clever and is now plain stupid.
It wasn’t drifting when I was looking at the prices last night and I can understand leaving it late as possible as one would give the horse every chance of taking part.
No trainer explains every up and down with their horses in the lead up, it would just create more argument and criticism – damned if you say and damned if you don’t.
Where’s the thread criticising other trainers of withdrawn horses, I’m particularly annoyed that Diamond Harry isn’t running and has run only once this season, let’s jump on his trainer and the rest.
This is just a foolish anti Henderson and corruption conspiracy thread now.
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The BHA knew the favourite for the most important hurdle race of the year had returned a positive test last Thursday, yet said nothing until their hand was forced by the declarations this morning.
"There was a lot of information to gather so the earliest we could have said anthing was Friday afternoon. Secondly, there was a genuine expectation that the levels of the substance would come down as testing went on but it didn’t. A key factor was the fact that every bookiewas by then NRNB on all Cheltenham races," he said.
…and meanwhile fortunes are traded on the horse.
Silvoir, I know your only the messenger, but frankly that’s pathetic.
Absolutely, Paul.
Did the controversy surrounding Binocular’s presence last year not cross anybody’s mind at some point? Connections were quiet then and they’re quiet now, only this time they’ve managed to rope the BHA in to matters.
Disgraceful.
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It’s hypothetical time for the judgemental –
Ok so you all wanted the facts to be disclosed immediately. The horse then drifts heavily. The second test then comes back negative. The horse runs. The horse wins. More outcry.
Oh that sounds like last year doesn’t it? As I said it was a Lose/Lose situation for connections and the BHA. A lot of pie throwing and spilt milk whinging going on here. That’s racing folks!
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If people think it’s pathetic that they do not receive information about every medicated horse every time they’re medicated then why do they bet at all?
Is it not fair for connections and the BHA to give Binocular every chance to run up to the last minute? Say connections had decided to run the gauntlet, declared as a runner and then had the horse tested again on Monday prior to withdrawal. Who says he wouldn’t have come up negative then? Folks would then be screaming about misinformation because they layed off.
Not a lot of thought going into this thread.
No trainer explains every up and down with their horses in the lead up, it would just create more argument and criticism – damned if you say and damned if you don’t.
Where’s the thread criticising other trainers of withdrawn horses, I’m particularly annoyed that Diamond Harry isn’t running and has run only once this season, let’s jump on his trainer and the rest.
This is just a foolish anti Henderson and corruption conspiracy thread now.
This is the defending champion and ante-post favourite, not any old horse. It is clearly not the first time there has been a lack of information regarding JP’s horses.
I am not sure if Nick Williams did keep the public informed about Diamond Harry. If he didn’t then fair enough raise the questions but just because Henderson comes across as a ‘decent bloke’ that should not mean he is devoid of criticism.
Chiswickian,
If Henderson had issued a statement on Thursday, it could have said –
Binocular has been treated with legal medicaation for an allergy. New information has suggested that we may have been mistaken in thinking that the drug would be clear of his system in time for Cheltenham. In co-operation with the BHA we are carrying out tests to establish whether it would be safe to run him. We will notify the results of these and any further tests to the public as soon as possible.
At which point, betting organisations could have opted to bet with and/or without Binocualr and Betfair punters would have had fair warning not to leave ante post bets live on the site.
Not difficult, not controversial, and making it quite clear that the horse might or might not run. But definitely better than having everybody connected with the horse continuing to issue upbeat bulletins in the press.
AP
Ok so you all wanted the facts to be disclosed immediately. The horse then drifts heavily. The second test then comes back negative. The horse runs. The horse wins. More outcry.
Yep, but then all betting is done with facts in the public domain, or the more likely scenario, the betting is suspended until participation is confirmed or other.
In what other sport would a governing body suppress a positive drugs test by a leading contestant in a championship event just days before that event??
Their justification for doing so is pathetic.
Ok so you all wanted the facts to be disclosed immediately. The horse then drifts heavily. The second test then comes back negative. The horse runs. The horse wins. More outcry.
Yep,
but then all betting is done with facts in the public domain
, or the more likely scenario, the betting is suspended until participation is confirmed or other.
In what other sport would a governing body suppress a positive drugs test by a leading contestant in a championship event just days before that event??
Their justification for doing so is pathetic.
Like it always is eh?
This thread is moving from the plain silly into the ridiculous now.
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At which point, betting organisations could have opted to bet with and/or without Binocualr ( sic ) and Betfair punters would have had fair warning not to leave ante post bets live on the site.
At which point anyone backing the horse would have received a refund anyway. Anyone leaving ante posts bets live at any point in the market is taking a serious risk and they should be well aware of the consequences.
The public right to certain information is greatly overstated. The last two posters seem to be sweeping under the carpet last year’s example of over information going wrong.
In what other sport would a governing body suppress a positive drugs test by a leading contestant in a championship event just days before that event??
Simply inflammatory statement/question. The answer is and has been "plenty". How many footballers across the globe do you think have played after an initial positive? I know one major competiton where they release info to the team but not the public. Many major sporting events have been marred by the late withdrawl of competitors due to injury. The public are often kept in the dark until the last minute. There are always those that know more than you and I. Check your facts first.
Everything was being done by the BHB and connections with a view that Binocular would be a runner. No human can control or predict Binoculars metabolism. Simply a lose/lose situation.
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Any "facts" to back up your last statement, Chis?
Kolo Toure – Manchester City, I’d have thought..
On what basis did the BHA decide to collude with a trainer, who was warned off as recently as 9 months ago, to withold information from the public that the favourite for the years premier hurdle race was a candidate to fail a drugs test (confirmed fail) for at least 3 days?
Astonishing lack of judgement at BHACity were informed on the Wednesday (3rd), Toure was suspended with immediate effect. A club statement appeared on their website the same evening.
Agree with you, Shabby.
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