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Has the last day of the lunar Royal Ascot been abandoned?
Thank the lord the one in Berks (planet earth) survived! Or have I missed something??? 
Some heavy sarcasm on the go here mate which would require a full thread read.
To summarise –
Some on this thread believe Firm ground is dangerous and should be prevented for horses welfare as they compare it to running on tarmac.
Others (including me) believe otherwise as there is no evidence other than heresay.
The decision not to water has pleased those in the ‘whats wrong with firm ground’ camp.
Think thats about right!
ATR are well aware that he is either loathed or loved but all the best TV personalities are.
Id rather have Chapman over majority of others and i believe it is foolish for anyone to disregard his knowledge because of his flamboyance/loudness.
I disagree with him quite often (about 50/50) but its great to have someone actually giving views and speaking their mind in an industry generally (and i dont include all) full of aftertimers and sit on the fencers.
I know where your coming from mate, but i guess if the horse loves it and the trainer is happy to keep sending him out it doesnt really matter that much how successful he is now.
Look at other sports with the likes of Steve Davis and Sandy Lyle living off former glories but still participating for the fun of it and just occasionally having a brief moment back in the spotlight.
I think its good for all actually as many people might be tempted to go to the track just to see a famous horse even if it is in amongst a card of mainly useless types!
Fantastic horse – deserves to keep racing as thats what he wants to do according to the person that knows him best!
Clearly the most important factor is the horses welfare. In this regard i would say with confidence most posters on here would utterly agree with this stance.
However i believe in current times and the politically correct world we live in, racing authorities (and organisations in every other walk of life) have got their work cut out to ensure they do not offend the protester groups who will cry "thats dangerous/wrong/cruel/etc etc" at every possible opportunity.
If there is proof (statistics, detailed analysis etc) showing something is endangering horses lives then of course action must be taken. However too often it is the case changes are made based on heresay and fear of what these groups shall say/do if something goes wrong.
In this debate it has been stated that it is more dangerous for horses to race on firm going. As one poster points out there are seven types of going in operation (for turf flat racing) and this has been the case for many many years.
What i cannot understand or accept without some statistical data is why all of a sudden it has now become the case firm going is more dangerous. If it is then there must be evidence to back it up and it also must be instantly available to those who monitor horse casualties etc. It cant just be based on a few people saying so because there are bound to be a few others saying the opposite.
To my knowledge there is no statistical data of this type (and if there was it would have been acted upon) and it is down to those taking the safety stance on the issue to give the facts and figures from a reliable source.
Otherwise no matter what the debate a person can simply say "its dangerous" about literally anything.
I also reckon comparing firm ground to running on a road is ridiculous as is comparing human feet to horses hoofs (do you want to ban marathons?).
Just saying its common sense is another way of saying im right and your wrong. I could say its common sense to presume if its been okay for the last 100 years and theres no proof to the contrary then why isnt it now.
This race often throws up a surprise. Its not one i would be backing with confidence but i agree Principal Role is good value.
For the each way money Acquainted is the only distance winner in the field (albeit a maiden thats worked out poorly) and could grab a place.
This is a good question, i dont understand it personally!
Is there an official explanation?
Number of races with firm ground since 1997 in UK
1997 – 322
1998 – 116
1999 – 175
2000 – 319
2001 – 336
2002 – 362
2003 – 479
2004 – 296
2005 – 288
2006 – 339
2007 – 186
2008 – 101
2009 – 183
2010 – 33It was a pleasure to watch.
Confidence is a huge part of the equation and Ryan has it in abundance right now.
Id be with those suggesting it was in fact this time finally getting it right rather than a fantastic placing.
But as we all know when things fall into place its easy to think genius and when they dont its a bad move.
Well done to all those who backed.
I think the subject of pacemakers is similar to many others in that there isnt a definitive answer as to whether its right or wrong as there are so many case studies you could look at!
For me, the races i get most frustrated at (frequently in ireland) are the occasions when the whole pack allow one horse to get an absolutely massive lead and the jockeys wait until the last moment till they make a move (basically mis-timing). Its farcical when you see a horse that can barely walk coming to the line with four or five others full of running in behind.
Firstly let me state openly – i know nothing about art!
That said, i like this a lot – to me it really captures the emotions and occasion.
Congratulations on a fine piece of work.
This is such a strange and worrying story and by the sounds of it completely out of character (making it even more worrying).
I can only hope we hear of a happy outcome although i too unfortunately fear the worst.
If anybody here can tell me that all the Musselburgh, Hexham, Worcester and Doncaster racegoers would either have traipsed down to Epsom, or would have watched the Derby on TV then fine. Quite frankly I’m not sure they would, and perhaps a fair few would have been down the garden centre or in town centres.
RobI agree with much of what you say in your posts and certainly if the race tracks are doing well on the day then there is no reason not to hold meetings.
What i would say though is that the overall planning of a days racing in terms of race times across all tracks could be done in a more efficient manner to ensure maximum exposure of each event.
I am not suggesting everyone should bow down and stop just because Epsom have a big day, what i am saying is why not schedule race times and races so that the best of the day are given exposure by those in bookmakers, watching on tv etc. Its not crazy to suggest the attendance figures may even go up.
Now let’s have a discussion on a jockey who deserves every single black mark against his name. For the second day running Fallon has failed to show up on time for his engagements at a very important Gr1 meeting. Ryan Moore has managed to make it both times. Says it all really.
Just because Fallon has been unpunctual does not mean he is deserving of ‘every single black mark against his name’.
Remember this is a man who has been accused of everything possible to be accused of – much of it being a load of $*!{
On the subject of Moore not being the most friendly. Who really cares once he is delivering the results?
Personality is not something a successful sportsman should need to have on their CV.
Thank the lord the one in Berks (planet earth) survived! Or have I missed something??? 