- This topic has 523 replies, 25 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by
.
-
Posts
-
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/gorac … p-blog.asp
Look what Phil is up-to.
Breeders’ Cup, who very kindly pay for my attendance at the races, had given me the choice of a Business Class flight from London to Louisville or two economy flights. My partner Catherine who doubles as my unpaid PA took approximately 8 seconds to decide that I would be travelling cattle with her.
Do the BHA grant him unpaid leave then?The BHA have a budget of £31.7m for 2010. And here is the head of handicapping swanning off for a "holiday."
Either way, important issues to deal with. Like what rating the BC Classic winner will run to…. just so we can put that on the database, because it will definitely be needed when Zenyatta runs in the Winter Derby.
Back to reality, and no mention of
Canal Bank
and no mention of
Black Phantom
in Phil’s blog. All those wfa or set-weight Graded Stakes are what he’s needed for, no?
The Stewards considered the running of the winner BLACK PHANTOM (IRE),ridden by Nick Scholfield and trained by Andrew Turnell, which had never previously been placed. They interviewed the trainer who stated that the gelding had strengthened up from last season. They forwarded his comments to the British Horseracing Authority, so that the performance of BLACK PHANTOM (IRE)in its earlier races could be reviewed.
Strengthened up. No, Mr Turnell, your horse simply ran to its previously allocated mark of 85. How does a horse who is running for the first time in a handicap in the NH sphere need any type of review if it wins by 7l? Only if the handicapper/s makes a complete mess of the system by "guessing" at how good a horse is. The horse should have been refused a rating, because they certainly never rated the horse according to racecourse performances.What makes it all so strange is that Phil is talking about rating races through other horses at the highest level. What was Black Phantom rated through? What was Canal Bank rated through?
The Stewards considered the running of the winner, SKELETON (IRE) ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, and trained by W.J. Haggas, which had never previously been placed.
They interviewed the trainer’s representative, who stated that this was the filly’s first time wearing blinkers. They forwarded her comments to the British Horseracing Authority, so that the performance of SKELETON (IRE) in her earlier races could be reviewed.
The horse at least produced one "rateable" performance. Who doesn’t rate a horse confidently on one rateable effort?And the biggest eye-catcher of the year from its last run,
Mister Hyde
, now wins at Towcester. The aim certainly wasn’t to just finish today…
That last winner at Towcester really should have been included. Judgement call as to whether the horse was rated through its 15.5l defeat a few runs back. Huge ratings dropper, well backed, long absence.
- Total Posts 17716
Different connections though, Jose; I’d expect a horse to improve having left Michael Scudamore.
Different connections though, Jose; I’d expect a horse to improve having left Michael Scudamore.
Different connections as well? I need to be sharper in my 20 minute round-up of looking for horses who have been dropped 10lbs on the flat and 15lbs with NH races.
In fairness, it did look like the horse was rated on a racecourse performance.
Friday’s Qualfiers
MY ROSIE RIBBONS
PAWAN
BOMBIE BOY
APPEAL DENIED
NORMINSTER
DARK GENTLEMANIt’s been one of those weeks with stacks of losers.
Whilst Phil enjoys his holiday in Kentucky, I can’t relate any of those horses ratings to recent track performances. For example, Appeal Denied has worked its way down the weights and runs off no mark comparable with any racetrack performance.
I’ve noticed more horses winning from first start’s in handicaps in the last week.
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/gorac … tem=004482
It was then back to the hotel to put the finishing touches to the Paddy Power Gold Cup in conversation with John de Moraville. He told me about the dead heat between Weird Al and Little Josh at Carlisle and we decided to put Little Josh up 6lbs. again basing the race through the other winner Weird Al. None of the placed horses were put up and some were to be dropped again in contrast to myths perpetuated by trainers about how we assess Intermediate and Graduation chases.
I’m worried when I read pieces like this particular one, especially when the piece is from the "Head Of Handicapping."None of the placed horses were put up? What placed horses was he talking of? The 3rd, Door Boy? Well, Door Boy is a 137 rated chaser beaten 18l, and was receiving 6lb off Weird Al. And the others in this
5 runner race
? The Hollinwell was beaten 80l. And Cape Tribulation was PU.
This man is not fit for office. He describes it like some kind of triumph.
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/gorac … tem=004481
Working this man out is quite a task. Following on from the basic post above about how Mr Smith triumphantly states that in a 5 runner race Chase he has kept 3 horse’s rating the same, I think I’ve got time to examine some more of his comedy.
Doesn’t stop you putting every other winner in the land up though.
Drop The Tother one whatever you feel like it, leave Ollie Magern on what you feel like it. Fair enough, not going to criticise that.
Calgary Bay was dropped a pound but Barber’s Shop and Knockara Beau were left as they were too far behind and had obviously not run their race.
It was just the 84l with Barber’s Shop, Phil. You never know how a 3lb drop might help in that situation.
So Mr Smith can recognise when a horse clearly has not performed to its mark relative to previous performances.
Sorry, time to review Mr Smith’s justifcation for Jeu De Roseau again;
A comical response. So what that means if you string 5 PU in a row together, your horse can make a "mockery" of the handicapping system. If you wish owners and trainers you are welcome to have a huge gamble on it as well.Can get that handicap mark down with a couple more PU runs, though, Phil. Best to make sure Her Majesty will know when to turn up imo.
Great.
Is he trying to prove he doesn’t overrate Irish horses?
I have absolutely no idea how you pass time on an eight hour flight; I do know that this man is having a "freebee" at the Breeders’ Cup because of someone else paying for his 8 hour flight.
Who would have thought it; the head of handicapping at the BHA actually doing what he’s paid for? No, Phil, you’re not a sad case for doing your job.
Skip his next two paragraphs.
Bar-nee Cur-lee – no better not go there.
Adelphi? Does he plan his Grand National weights there or something?
It’s not all his fault – the system developed encourages them to drop horses for producing runs off the bottom end of the scale.
But these horses should not be dropped in the weights for beaten 30l, 60l, 100l, PU, 77l etc.
The problem lies with the entry system as much as anything. Such horses should not be dropped in the weights, but they also should not be allowed to clog up races where other horses have performed better recently.
Horses need to be rated "truly."
It is quite simple. The entry system takes account of a horses last 3/5 runs by having horses listed in order of a "peak" performance/race ratings.
And the rating they run off will always correspond except in the circumstances where a horse is running so badly it’s not performing to an acceptable/believable standard.
It’s time the laughing at the system ended.
The Stewards held an enquiry into the running and riding of ATTAGLANCE, ridden by James Halliday and trained by Mr J M Jefferson, which finished fourth, beaten eleven and a quarter lengths. The Stewards interviewed the rider and the trainer. The rider stated that his instructions were to drop the gelding in, get him settled and switched off. He added that he had been caught flat footed on the final bend.
The trainer confirmed these instructions. Having heard their evidence, viewed video recordings of the race, and having received a report from the Veterinary Officer and observations from the Handicapper they found the rider in breach of Rule (B)59.4 and suspended him for ten days as follows: Thursday 18 to Saturday 27 November, inclusive.http://newrules.britishhorseracing.com/ … 60&depth=3
If the ride was any worse than the effort on Mister Hyde then I’m an alien. I wouldn’t call the ban "shocking," however, in relation to a lot of other rides, it looks like a case of banning someone who can be banned under that rule.
I take it that horse won’t be getting a handicap mark.
Amuse Me
The Stewards considered the running of the winner, AMUSE ME, ridden by MR ALAN BERRY, and trained by JONJO O’NEILL, which had never previously been placed.
They interviewed the trainer’s representative, who stated that today in what was a poor race, AMUSE ME appeared to benefit from the fast early pace. They forwarded his comments to the British Horseracing Authority, so that the performance of AMUSE ME in his earlier races could be reviewed. The Stewards ordered the gelding to be routine tested.It is now 3 wins in a row off 85, 92 and 99. I wonder if it was the strong pace at Fontwell that helped today?
The Stewards considered the running of the winner, PITKIN, ridden by JAMES SULLIVAN, and trained by MICK EASTERBY, which had never previously been placed. They interviewed such and such, who flogged us some excuse (place here), PITKIN benefited from the excuse. They forwarded his comments to the British Horseracing Authority, so that the performance of PITKIN in his earlier races could be reviewed. The Stewards ordered the gelding to be routine tested.
(We never mentioned the fact out handicapping team gave the horse a mark after its 3rd run, which was its worst)
Winners 0/25
Placed 4/25Profit/Loss at SP -25pts
Profit/Loss at Top Early Prices -25pts
Sunday’s Qualifiers
BERNARD
WOODLANDS GEM
I’M THE DECIDERI see one of today’s finished 2nd at a huge price.
Monday’s Qualifiers
SPECTAIT
PHAR AGAINPlenty of other horses handicapped on a random basis.
The Stewards considered the apparent improvement in form of the winner BERNARD, ridden by Giles Hawkins and trained by K. Bishop compared with its previous run on 7th October at Exeter, over 2 miles and three furlongs, where it finished seventh, beaten 25 lengths, but having received a report of the trainer’s explanation that the gelding had rekindled his enthusiasm by the wearing of first-time cheek-pieces and had possibly been suited by the longer trip, they decided not to hold an enquiry. The Stewards ordered BERNARD to be routine tested.
No, it was that vital 4lb drop in the handicap from that beaten 25l run, Mr Bishop.
And rather amusingly….
The Stewards considered the running of the winner PITKIN, ridden by James Sullivan and trained by M.W. Easterby, which had never previously been placed. They interviewed the trainer’s representative, who stated that the gelding appears to have benefitted from a ten-week break since its’ last run and that PITKIN appears to be steadily improving with time. They forwarded his comments to the British Horseracing Authority, so that the performance of PITKIN in his earlier races could be reviewed.
Stop reviewing the horses’ runs for a second and start reviewing the handicapping system!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.