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Dave, I’m as sick as a pig to be reminded that Odds-Shop gave Compton Commander 2pts win, as I remember last week he went an absolute bundle, i.e. 6pts on a nag he really fancied, and it duly obliged, again at a good price – maybe 6s. I think it was Beef and Salmon.
He said they (presumably the Irish) hadn’t had such a good horse for years, and normally when I read something like that, I’m in like Flynn. But the mind of the unprofessional punter must be truly one of life’s greatest of all mysteries. I even remembered looking keenly to see what he pointed to this week! I expect the bookies will take due note. Hope not.
Thanks, Ian. It’s kind of you and Tony25 to try and take some of the flak from me. But, unfortunately, spare the rod and spoil the Toad *is* the bottom line. And you mustn’t encourage me!
Good morrow both. Yes, of course, talking through my hat yet again. What I was actually talking about, though was just one element in the whole complex that’s needed to make a top chaser, never mind an Arkle – I mean, of course, his engine).
Alhough I think that was what I actually said, to compare any horse of such relatively modest achievements and uncertain jumping ability, with Arkle, or anything remotely like him, in virtually any context, is to invite well-merited ridicule. Sorry chaps. It’s the temperament. A touch of the toad of toad halls, don’t you know.
Seems I can’t get anything right, these days, Smithy. Thanks for letting me know. You could have been a lot more acid about it.
Also, Douze Douze is Macaire’s, not Doumen’s. And if First Gold were to run, I’d want to be on him as my first choice.
Doumen’ll do for me. He’s already got two, or is it three, King George’s to his credit, (and a short-head second), and the likes of the races already won by Baracouda. He’s supposed to be a tricky customer, anyway. And was it really so surprising he was beaten over 2 1/2?
Whatever the merits or demerits of young Doumen as a jockey, – considering how our jocks are comprehensivey thrashed whenever they ride against the yanks, for instance – it seems amazing to me how quickly people rubbish foreign jockeys, for one reason or another.  And I’m amazed that trainers risk using our jocks in the Breeders Cup when they could have an American specialist.
The people who always do want to dramatise records, results, etc are the journalists.  Most strikers are happier if the team wins and keeps on winning while they’re in the side, rather than if they personally score. But try telling that to a journo. Always trying to make zummat out of nowt.
And what about Frankie Dettori. Do you think he gives a monkeys about winning the jockeys’ championship, when he can win so many of the great classic races – around the world, moreover, and year after year. Or agonise about accepting the Sheik’s retainer? When he might be missing out on mad dashes across the country to win more of the relatively piddling races?
Betting on Douze Douze improving his jumping enough to win the KG at Kempton, is admittedly buying a pig in a poke. But he looked to have the best motor of any horse I’ve seen since Arkle. Or am I talking tosh? I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time.
