John Francome- Is he losing it?

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There are 7 meetings on derby day this year,what hope is there of the racing press having space to give the derby a proper build up when theyve got all that racing to fit in.

There’s every hope – it’s why you get fatter, bumper editions of the

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et al on big-race days and greater use of freelancers for the lesser fare on those days.

I’ve never sensed the big-race coverage in the

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‘s Grand National edition being compromised in any way for having to devote half a dozen pages each to the card, form, etc for the Chepstow, Newcastle, Lingfield and Wolvo meetings on the same day.

I’m rather more of a believer in the "something for everyone" ethos where scheduling race meetings is concerned, and to that end hosting no other meetings on Derby day, Royal Ascot, during the Cheltenham Festival, etc. would be about as well-received as a fart in a spacestation.

Events at Worcester and Hexham will be occupying my mind on Derby day far more than anything at Epsom Downs; equally there will be several on here who will continue to follow just the all-weather with equal zeal during Cheltenham week. That’s our (respective) prerogative.

gc

Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.

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