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I wonder how many of you saw the Racing Post launch its “Questionnaire” series last Sunday, wherein some noted racing bod gets gilled on matters racing and non-racing, serious and non-serious;
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QUESTIONNAIRE – Matt Chapman
Published: 11/05/2008When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’d have loved to have been in a boyband. Ridiculously, Simon Cowell continues to ignore me in X Factor auditions. I’d also love to host a chat show – more Ross than Parky!What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My old man, now dead, told me the most important thing in life was to find someone you truly love. He promised it would bring more happiness than any amount of money. I suspect he was right.Alan Byrne, the former editor and now once again head honcho at the Racing Post, told me I was accident prone and should count to ten before saying anything. I suspect he was right, too!
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Luke or Matt Goss – obviously! If unavailable, Brad Pitt for the early years and George Clooney for later on.What’s your favourite journey?
I love the trip in the morning from my bedroom to the kettle. You can’t beat a good cup of tea! Also, strongly suggest anyone in Melbourne takes the journey from the city centre to Living Legends, the international home of rest for champion horses located in Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale. It’s heavenly, and you will get to see Hong Kong star Silent Witness.Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
Generally, punters want a quick fix. If racing is to provide it there has to be plenty of it at most times of the day. Of course, those of us who are racing nuts would like to see better racing more of the time – but there are simply not enough good horses to allow that. I’m not sure who would benefit from less racing.Should the whip be banned?
If the whip is banned, racing is ruined. Only a fool would want the whip banned.If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
When my dad was dying of cancer my mother spent a fortune – as all families would – trying to keep him alive. I wish I had enough money to give back to her what she lost during that time so she could enjoy her later years a little more.What’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
Newton Abbot (great atmosphere). Musselburgh (always feel horses look unhappy on the home bend).What’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Rackets. Lethal and fast.Sum yourself up in five words.
Impatient. Determined. Ambitious. Passionate. Orange.What was the last film you saw?
I watched Jerry Maguire again the other day. My favourite film.What was the last book you read?
Anna Karenina. Took me ages – a real slog.Give us a horse to look out for.
Marc Of Brilliance has a great chance in the claimer at Plumpton today.What was the best day of your racing life?
Darryll Holland winning the 2003 Eclipse on Falbrav after I begged Luca Cumani to give him the ride – first choice Kieren Fallon was claimed for Islington. Darryll and I went through what every runner would do beforehand and it worked out exactly as we thought.Get On, named after the show on ATR, winning at Newton Abbot was also very special, as was Dragon Dancer’s narrow defeat on a Derby Day I’ll never forget.
Who’s your favourite horse ever?
Cyfor Malta. A beautiful, talented horse.What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Martin Pipe’s responses when asked about weekend running plans – “He’s entered.” “What’s the ground going to be?” “They are all nice horses.”
“We’ll wait to see the blood tests.” “I haven’t spoken to the owner yet.” “No idea.” “Call back later in the week.” “I’m busy.” “Haven’t a clue.”Dogs or cats?
Dogs for a night out. Cats for a pet.What’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
In bed.Favourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad
Dartmouth. Mauritius.Best/worst subjects at school
Music. Chemistry.You’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as?
An Oompa-Loompa.What would you choose as your last meal?
Bacon (smoked, streaky) sandwich with lavish amounts of barbecue sauce.What is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
I would have to be PM. Then, I would deny the Office of Fair Trading any right to get involved in racing in any way. The OFT has been shocking news for the game. I would then replace BHA with BHC (British Horseracing Control), which would house all of racing’s fighting factions under one roof and would then be able to rule our great sport as it should.Also, I would insist that £1 was added to the cost of entry – to be paid by every person through the turnstiles – at every one of Britain’s major race meetings/festivals and put into a trust called ‘Helping Our Own’, which could be paid out to people like Chris Kinane, Robert Alner, Sarah Gaisford etc.
What is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
There was a horse called Formidable Flame who got loose at Southwell, broke through a rail and then collided with a woman who had a baby in a pram. That was not the funny bit (they were okay, by the way). However, the horse then proceeded to hurtle bronco-style towards the grandstand with everyone running for their life to the words of Graham Goode, who said: “Please do keep calm. Stay as still as you can. Stay as still as you can. Don’t run. Please keep calm and stay as still as you can.” Graham was quite right, but there was absolutely no chance anyone was staying still with a horse heading straight for them at speed. It makes me laugh every time I watch it on Youtube.======================================================
Given that none of us are likely to find ourselves in the position of self-aggrandising in the pages of the Post in the same way, let this be the thread for you to do so! The questions are all listed above, but add some others if you wish.
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.
We’ll give it a go
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I actually wrote when I was six a two side essay with pictures about wanting to be a jockey. A strange choice bearing in mind that the donkeys at Weston Super Mare frightened the life out of me.What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t pick your nose or your head will cave inWho would play you in a film of your life?
I have been likened in my time to a young Omar Sharif (when I sported a moustache ) , Rowan Atkinson and the chap who plays Steve McDonald in Coronation Street. I’ll go for a young Omar Sharif.What’s your favourite journey?
Down the lane to my localDo you think there is too much racing in Britain?
There probably is, however I’m not sure that the racing would be any better in terms of quality viewing with a large reduction. I am one of the few who enjoy racing at the likes of Wolverhampton and there is without doubt at present more demand for poor quality racing due to the fact there are significantly larger numbers of poor horses. For the situation to change someone is going to have to come up with a plan which will require to include certain provisions for the large number of poor horses that will be surplus to requirements.Should the whip be banned?
I have no problem with the whip being used to make horses go faster as long as people agree that is what its for. I have a problem with people who say that the whip is required for safety reasons. The hands and heels series hasn’t I believe had any serious incidents so I can see no other reason for keeping the whip other than to make the horse go faster. I believe use of the whip is more often than not the reason for horses moving off a straight line, but hey thats just an opinion.Oh and if its the walnut variety then a definite ban.
If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
That someone very close was still here in ten years timeWhat’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
I like going to Towcester , never really liked FolkestoneWhat’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Golf.Sum yourself up in five words.
Optimistic, Funny, Father , Son, AtheistWhat was the last film you saw?
Indiana Jones and the Ark thing was on the other nightWhat was the last book you read?
Fleshmarket Close(I think) – Ian RankinGive us a horse to look out for.
Looking forward to Tidal Bay next NH seasonWhat was the best day of your racing life?
Winning the 2008 Daylight CupWho’s your favourite horse ever?
Tricky one that, in fact too trickyWhat would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Something that interests me so probably along the lines of The Life and music of Nick DrakeDogs or cats?
Dogs but I couldn’t eat a whole oneWhat’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
Playing postmans knockFavourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad
Cornwall, Cyprus, Amathus Beach Hotel, Pathos,Best/worst subjects at school
Mathematics, Religious EducationYou’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as?
I’ve been John Lennon, a flowerpot man, a baby, a Roman, a teddy boy, Robin Hood and many more but I’ve always fancied a tartWhat would you choose as your last meal?
Chilli con carne washed down with a couple of pints of Carlsberg.What is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
Make Haydock put back their proper fencesWhat is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
Strangest – My father driving away from Cheltenham this year in his underpants. (The son was in a similar state of apparel but boxer shorts you understand)
Funniest – The look on the faces of the passing coach on realisation of the above.Good to see Matt has the ability to laugh at himself.
Agreed. I confess to a little smile at the description of himself as "orange", and of the mentioning of his lost twin siblings Matt and Luke Goss!
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.
should the whip be banned?
depends on how kinky you are
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Good to see Matt has the ability to laugh at himself.
Agreed. I confess to a little smile at the description of himself as "orange", and of the mentioning of his lost twin siblings Matt and Luke Goss!
gc
I sniggered at that too. It’s slightly reassuring to know he does realise what a pillock he looks with that "tan"!
What was the best day of your racing life?
Winning the 2008 Daylight CupExcellent Aaronizneez!
I almost felt that good when I won the Bob Rolf 4pp the first time.
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I remember wanting to work with animals; an assistant at Pet World or something.What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
‘you can’t get milk from a hamster: you can squeeze it and squeeze it but you will just break one of its legs’.What’s your favourite journey?
I don’t have a favourite journey. Is that unusual?Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
Yes. But if the banded races were removed (which is what I’m presuming this question is getting at), what would happen to those horses rated 0-45? I would rather they re-introduce all-banded meetings rather than letting banded races drag down the quality of average meetings; that way the bookmakers would get what they want (lots of racing) and the bad stuff would be separate, and easy to ignore.Should the whip be banned?
No but I think when the whip is obviously over-used there should be a steward’s enquiry called, and the horse possibly be disqualified. Otherwise there is little point in having the rule as it’s meaningless when it comes to the top races where the reward exceeds the punishment.If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
I would quite like claws.What’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
York / Wetherby (it always seems to be cold and windy).What’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Football; though I’m not that keen on it, it’s just my second-favourite sport by default as I hate nearly all other sports.Sum yourself up in five words.
Arms. Legs. Body. Head. Feet.What was the last film you saw?
A horror film (on Sky’s The Horror Channel) about a dustbin that is possessed by Satan. I was drunk enough for it to seem entertaining (and frighteningly plausible).What was the last book you read?
The New York Trilogy (Auster)What was the best day of your racing life?
The Cheltenham Festival 2004: my first time there, and everything went right for me.Who’s your favourite horse ever?
I have so many… er, George Washington (and Kauto Star is my favourite living horse).Dogs or cats?
I prefer Jack Russels and Airedale Terriers to cats. I prefer cats to Dobermans. I would need to draw a diagram to give an accurate answer.Favourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad
Lake District. New York.You’re invited to a fancy dress party – who will you go as?
Hitler.What would you choose as your last meal?
I don’t have a favourite food. I think food is over-rated. I’d just ask for a bottle of gin.What is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
It would be a reform. I would reduce the number of bodies and offices which are involved in behind-the-scenes decision-making, and make the structure more transparent (changing their names to something more directly descriptive would help): each one to represent, and be responsible, for something and to be clearly accountable if they don’t deal with it; and to somehow rid them of nepotism, establish a meritocracy.What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
‘you can’t get milk from a hamster: you can squeeze it and squeeze it but you will just break one of its legs’.
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.
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a doctor but the A Level Chemistry examiner disagreed with me.What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
One of my first journalistic pieces was a tongue in cheek article in the local rag basically saying women should be at home raising kids and not ,out at work. At the time I was working in an office that was 95% women. Despite it clearly being a tongue in cheek article it did not go down well and it started World War 3 plus most of them refused to work with me. The big boss called me in for a chat and although he thought the article was good his advice was "never sh*t on your own doorstep" – very sound adviceWho would play you in a film of your life?
As I haven’t watched a film in 30 years I have no idea who is acting nowadays.What’s your favourite journey?
Most trips to racecourses or any trip to an airport when I am jetting off somewhere.Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
Yes – there needs to be a root and branch review of racing. Less racing of a better quality. If that means a reduction in the horse population then so be it.Should the whip be banned?
No – however its use should be more strictly controlled with stricter penalties for abuse.If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
This is going to sound really trite – but absolutely nothing. I am happy with what I have done and happy with where I am nowWhat’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
Fontwell (perfection) / Wolverhampton at a midweek meeting (souless)What’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Are there any sports outside racing? I suppose if pushed then golfSum yourself up in five words.
Content, Happy, Relaxed, Loyal and BaldWhat was the last film you saw?
It is so long ago I cannot rememberWhat was the last book you read?
Apart from Timeforn? It will be "Infinity In Your Pocket"Give us a horse to look out for.
Sole Sista -ran as green as grass first time out at Folkestone. Hacked up at beverley next time and will win again.What was the best day of your racing life?
Financially it must be Voy Por Ustedes winning the Arkle on 14th March 2006 – a massive win.Who’s your favourite horse ever?
I have seen so many not very original but a toss up between Red Rum and DessieWhat would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Dodgy nightclubs in Cardiff – see next answerDogs or cats?
used to make a killing in "grab a dog" nights in Cardiff.But assuming we are talking pets then it has to be cats – I love their independence
What’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
You need to askFavourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad
Scotland / CanadaBest/worst subjects at school Anything science related / anything arts related
You’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as? Selafield Beach – it’s a standard of mine. Face arms and legs covered in green dayglow paint and outfit made of bin bags
What would you choose as your last meal?
Ham, eggs and chipsWhat is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
Abolish most of the pointless committees – racing needs a dictator.What is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
I have a racing blooper video and there is this shot (taken from C4 I think) of this couple merrily humping away in the long grass blissfully unaware there is a TV camera trained on them. Priceless
[/b]Gone on then, I;ll have a go at this, just to prove I/m as boring as I’d always suspected!
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Snooker PlayerWhat’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Nothing more comfortable than a rut.Who would play you in a film of your life?
Danny De VitoWhat’s your favourite journey?
House to airport for summer holidayDo you think there is too much racing in Britain?
YesShould the whip be banned?
NoIf there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
Nothing.What’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
Fav: Worc’s Least: SandpitsWhat’s your favourite sport outside racing?
SnookerWhat was the last film you saw?
Coundnt say on this forum!What was the last book you read?
Achtung. Panzer!Give us a horse to look out for.
If only!What was the best day of your racing life?
Paddy power 06. large grou of friends out together for the day.Who’s your favourite horse ever?
IstabraqWhat would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
German Offensives of WW2Dogs or cats?
BothWhat’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
SexFavourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad
St Ives / CreteBest/worst subjects at school
History/musicYou’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as?
Dont KnowWhat would you choose as your last meal?
Steak Kidney Pie and hipsWhat is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
Didnt actually see it but Tommos ‘fog commentry’ on yotube is pretty goodThere you go!
You’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as? Selafield Beach – it’s a standard of mine. Face arms and legs covered in green dayglow paint and outfit made of bin bags
Absolutely inspired! Any photographic evidence?
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.
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I can’t remember me harbouring any driving ambition at all back then – at least, nothing beyond the usual “run a sweet factory” sort of thing. My fall into both librarianship and the peripheries of racing media work over the last decade were neither planned nor anticipated.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Libel horses but not people” – S Rowlands, esq
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Daniel Radcliffe in a fat suit, and dragged through a hedge backwards
What’s your favourite journey?
Any familiar journeys to places I hold dear, such as the coastal roads into Scarborough, that last five miles to Cartmel racecourse once I’ve left the A590, or the snaking routes across the Pennines to mum and dad’s place. I’m usually a bit wincey-eyed on the way to any of these, all the more so on the way back.
Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. Not at all.
For as long as the racehorse population is sizeable enough – as it currently is – to ensure meetings attract credible numbers of runners (and indeed experience oversubscription in the case of many handicaps at all ability levels), then the argument for reducing the number of meetings is weakened hugely.
Lydia Hislop’s concerns regarding the future of low-rated horses banished from Flat racing once their Official Rating has sunk too low very much echo my own. I’d further add that alternatives such as Arab Racing and flapping can only absorb so many of these animals, and neither are modes of racing found across the whole country. Another alternative, that of sending them novice hurdling instead (in spite of their palpable unsuitability for that discipline in many cases), looks like an invitation for trouble.
There is the whole prizemoney argument to the volume of racing, of course, but my incomprehension of the minutiae of this only serves to remind me why I failed A-Level economics so spectacularly in the first place.
Should the whip be banned?
It should be carried, but preferably used to wave in the horse’s peripheral vision as an aid to concentration, keeping to a true line, etc., rather than necessarily to hit him with. It continues to defeat me why the marvelous invention of the “hands and heels” race series hasn’t given rise to similar races for professionals – what better way of advertising one’s skills of horsemanship is there than out-riding your fellow senior changing-room colleagues without recourse to the stick?
If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
Probably get the wart on my nose seen to once and for all.
What’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
Cartmel (a fusion of the picturesque, idyllic, friendly, basic and demented like no other on Earth) / Ascot (remote action, zealously guarded viewing, appalling value for money)
What’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Cricket, both watching and playing, though my dyspraxia has always rendered me a lethally incompetent leg-spinner.
Sum yourself up in five words.
The smart-a*rse answer to this is “Unable to count”.
My proper answer is “So very grateful for everything”.
What was the last film you saw?
Oh gosh, it’ll be about a year ago now. Probably
Beowulf
, with Ray Winstone once more proving singularly incapable of doing any voice other than Cockney bovver boy. “I’m here to kill your mon-stahhh!!”
What was the last book you read?
Still working through my Christmas present books. “Scenes We Like to See”, the spin-off book from
Mock The Week
, was the last.
Give us a horse to look out for.
Caveman WILL win a hunter chase this season, most likely at Towcester.
What was the best day of your racing life?
Wolverhampton, March 28th 1983 – my first ever visit to a race meeting, and the point at which the sport started to mean more to me than simply a bunch of animals running across my telly screen every Saturday afternoon, however enjoyable that undoubtedly was.
Who’s your favourite horse ever?
Quixall Crossett, for so very many reasons.
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Assuming I’d be banned from doing Quixall Crossett on account of having been too close to the subject matter in the past, I’d say either the history of Sarah Records, or Grimms’ Fairy Tales, or rear-engined British buses since 1970.
Dogs or cats?
Cats. Always. Dogs are vacant and scrofulous.
What’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
Standing outside, watching the stars with the view less trammelled by artificial light pollution.
Favourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad.
Britain: pretty much anywhere nice in North Yorkshire. Abroad: Germany, Slovenia or Hungary.
Best/worst subjects at school
German was best, Physics the worst.
You’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as?
It usually ends up being drag. Tastefully done, though – no Lily Savage-type aberration or just two balloons down my top.
What would you choose as your last meal?
Depends on the means of execution to follow it. If it’s going to be a nice way to go, then I shall enjoy a Wienerschnitzel or Thai Green Curry, followed by a pint of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild. If it’s going to be a not nice way, then I’ll order all the KFC I can eat and hope a heart attack takes care of business from there!
What is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
Reverse every edict set by the BHA in the last two years to change the conditions of hunter chases, be they relating to balloting out, excluding certain point-to-pointers from participating, etc. – each one of them has done harm in some way.
What is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
Sam Morshead vainly trying to encourage a gang of rubber ducks to float down the shallow, rubble-filled stream that runs through Perth racecourse’s public area, all in the name of trying to win someone a year’s free course membership, will live long in the memory.
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.
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A train driver after watching lots of Thomas episodes but now ive got Train Simulator i can fulfill that Childhood dream.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
"Never back odds on in Novice Chases" Good words but many times i have ignored it to my cost.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Daniel Radcliffe mainly as he is the only actor who looks like me albeit with more hair on his head, failing that George Clooney could have a chance at the audition.
What’s your favourite journey?
The train from Manchester to Sheffield is lovely especially past Hazel Grove with the huge hills and fields also the Preston to Glasgow/Edinburgh as their so much to look at and it makes you think how lucky you are to live in this country.
Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
We have a lot of fixtures but they fill up well enough and in the summer the lowest grade of racing can get a decent crowd,Outside of the Derby the quality at Epsom is awful but crowds still turn up and even Goodwood evening meetings fill the stands.
Low grade racing at any track should have reduced admission, I payed £11 with my Racegoers Club discount on Peterborough Chase day yet it can cost £20 into Brighton for the Members for 0-70 handicaps.
Should the whip be banned?
No not at all, it is i vital tool for any jockey but it must be used in a positive and responsible manner.
If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
To have a bigger wage so i can go racing more.
What’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
Aintree is great course for me, Quality racing with a great train service to it,Least would probably be Kelso but only because nobody runs a dedicated raceday bus service from Edinburgh to it, so if the last race is at 5.30 then you are waiting till 8.00pm for a 2hour bus ride back into the City
What’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Football, I follow Man Utd and Wigan Athletic mainly as being a little lad and not having much money they were a cheap club to go and watch down at the lower end of Football (Wigan that is).
Sum yourself up in five words.
The Cottage with Andy Serkis,Reece Shearsmith and Jennifer Ellison,
Very good and Jen swears like mad aswell as having a double handfull on her chest.
What was the last book you read?
Ginger McCain My Colourful Life, Honest and Funny with emotional moments and a real rags to riches story.
Give us a horse to look out for.
Tarablaze, Saw him three times this season at Uttoxeter and Haydock twice, Will make a nice chaser.
What was the best day of your racing life?
Grand National Day 2001, Only time i have been on National day and i remember it mainly for Barton beating Best Mate in a real grind on the Aintree mud.
Who’s your favourite horse ever?
Barton, Caught my eye when he ran out at Huntingdon on his first ever racecourse run and he looked lovely when i first saw him in the flesh at Uttoxeter when he won a Grade 2 Novice.
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Quality British Comedy, We are more funnier than the Yanks will ever be when it comes to doing sit coms.
Dogs or cats?
Cats, im not anti dog but Cats only need a sand tray and some food and in turn they happily kip and do bugger all.
What’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
Not much, If your iPod is charged or if you have a mini DAB then listening to various Radio stations or your own music.
Favourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad.
Britain would be London and Glasgow, Only been to Rouen when i was 13 or 14 with school but i did see my first topless woman on a beach, sadly they were like pancakes.
Best/worst subjects at school
Was okayish at English and a bit of Drama, worst was Music as at the time i had no interest in music at all plus i cannot read it.
You’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as?
Aidan O’Brien, as i have to just wear a suit and talk soflty.
What would you choose as your last meal?
KFC Variety Meal with a nice pint of John Smiths or Boddingtons with a M and S Lemon Cheesecake for pudding.
What is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
Make the sport more accesable to people but making sure not to dumb it down in the process.
What is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
A male steaker running across the track at the end of a Haydock Novice Hurdle, was in the box with John Hunt at the time and he shouted it out while in full flight as the horses were coming up to the line.
When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Initially an Ice Cream Man, then anything that would pay a decent wage, however, I must lack determination as am just one of these people who can bimble through life doing all sorts of things with little focus on direction.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The bigger your carbon footprint the statistically less likely you are to be mugged in the street by a polar bear. I am assured that has been scientifically proven aswell.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
There arent many Northern Irish actors and no-one else can do the accent so probably Liam Neeson as he has the height and build, would be gutted if it was James bloody Nesbitt, but even more gutted if it was Jason Statham.
What’s your favourite journey?
When I was in the RAF I used to be away for sometimes 15 months at a time, and it was always the journey from the airport to my house that I used to love. From the halfway point of my leave onwards I would dread the reverse of that journey.
Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
No, a few people say that during the flat and complain that there are too many races and you cant keep track of form, however when you bet in any race you should always look at every horse’s chance anyway
Should the whip be banned?
No, but hate to see it being overused, McCoys well hailed ride this week, he gave Witchita some serious whacks with the whip that I would imagine would leave a mark, I generally dont like to see that.
If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
More money, less stress.
What’s your favourite/least favourite racecourse?
Favorite is chester, because I’ve never had a bad chester may meeting ever, also like kempton jumps if the ground is good. Out of the tracks Ive been too, i liked Haydock and Down Royal most.
What’s your favourite sport outside racing?
Ultimate Fight Championship for watching, play a bit of football and do a bit of running and kickboxing for fitness, but not really that competetive generally.
Sum yourself up in five words.
A man of few words
What was the last film you saw?
Hunger, didnt like it much.
What was the last book you read?
Murder Madness by Alan Simpson, I have always struggled to read fiction as it just doesnt interest me, so only ever read factually based books.
Give us a horse to look out for.
Jubebox Jury will win the Epsom Derby 2009, no horse by Montjeu to have won the racing post trophy on dead ground has ever failed to win at epsom, the ground in this years RPT was good and this one was second. This horse should be favorite but is 33-1. Trust me on this.
What was the best day of your racing life?
Think it was 3rd september 2005
Who’s your favourite horse ever?
Possibly Bulwark, Antonius Pius or a horse Tregoning had called Oonagh Maccool.
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
How to make a pot noodle properly, because too much wtaer and it’s pot soup, theres a science to it..
Dogs or cats?
Either, have had all sorts of pets, with dogs and cats being the best of them, but both dogs and cats have their upsides and downsides. Have two dogs at the minute, and they are great, but used to have a cat and she was brilliant.
What’s the best way to spend an evening in the event of a power cut?
Running your own generator leasing company I would imagine.
Favourite holiday destination – in Britain and abroad
The only decent places Ive been to abroad are Les Arcs Skiing resort in France, which was good and Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, which was incredible. Always wanted to go to South America, but everyone I know is scared of getting kidnapped.
Best/worst subjects at school
French, Maths, Science
You’re invited to a fancy dress party – what will you go as?
The guy who didnt come in fancy dress, I am one of these people who just doesnt see the point in fancy dress, once the initial laugh at how much of a knob you look is over, you are stuck looking like a knob all night. No matter how many times Ive been invited to fancy dress do’s I just dont bother. Doesnt float my boat.
What would you choose as your last meal?
Chicken Tikka Chilli Massalla, Mushroom Pilau and a Peshwari Naan, with and Ice Cold Coke in a glass with ice.
What is the first big decision you would make if you took over racing?
Start overturning more results, when there is interference at the end of a race, the result never gets overturned in the UK, in France it happens all the time, I had a horse who came with a challenge on the inside of the rail the other week in a bumper, the jockey of the horse leading at the time, changed his course and squeezed my horse aginst the rail and blocked his run causing him to lose momentum. My horse then tried again to get through and again the jockey in front done the same thing, my horse in total lost about 3-4 lengths and the other jockeys horse won by about half a length from mine, the result stood, not even a stewards inquiry.
What is the strangest/ funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
When I was at Haydock, I backed a horse called I Love Turtle as soon as I giot there, then went to the paddock and saw that he was this flea bitten mangy looking pony, I was gutted. However he went on to win the opener that day, but what was strange about it, was the that up the run in there was another horse battling with him called Whitford Don. I love turtle just edged in front on the line and Whitford Don dropped dead right on the line. The girl who was riding Whitford Don also owned and Trained him, and sat over him crying on the line. Ive never seen anything like it before or since.
Gosh, yes, I remember that, Bulwark – it was Clare Dyson who was the owner-trainer-rider of Whitford Don at the time. Not a serial improver of horses by any means, but she had done really well to sweeten the old sod up appreciably since acquiring him, and if memory serves had landed a staying hurdle or two with him prior to his sad end at Haydock.
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.
Indeed Jeremy, pretty sure he had won a few races in the run up and was one of the favs in the race if I remember correctly, the horse must have just been pulling out everything in an attempt to win, and just dropped dead, must have had a heart attack or something. Was the strangest thing Ive ever seen on the track.
Forgot to add my least favorite tracks earlier, Fairyhouse and Downpatrick- no big screen at either track, and especially with Downpatrick where you cant see the horses for most of the way round (they even disappear out of site up the last few furlongs). Plus I ordered an Ice cream off a bloke in a van, in the grounds, and it cost 3 quid, for some "no make" ice cream. Also Fairyhouse got a slice of cake and a bottle of coke and that was like 7 or 8 euros (pretty much 7 or 8 quid). Down Royal is currently being renovated but already smokes them both hands down.
Coundnt say on this forum!
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