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I remember Nicholls’ very public falling out with Kauto Star’s owner, Clive Smith. While I think Nicholls had a point, it shows he is perhaps not the best at schmoozing owners.
“Wasn’t Peso pulled up on just after dirt track onto turf I jury sustained there”
That’s right vf
Interesting points AP. Does anyone know at how many positions on the course the going is checked normally?
Had best also clarify that I mentioned fall rates and fatality rates separately for a reason. I wonder if perhaps the newer design leads to fewer falls, but perhaps the falls that still occur tend to be more harmful due to there being more premature take offs.
Sadly I suspect that three fatalities at the same meeting is not as extraordinary as most of us would wish, especially allowing for injuries that have a fatal outcome in the days that follow.
I’m not persuaded either way regarding the new obstacle design at present. This debate can only really be resolved by having some comparative statistics for fall rates and fatality rates from before and after the changes. I don’t recall seeing anything substantive on this as yet, and hope some are forthcoming.
Moehat, I hadn’t realised that there had been changes to fences as well as hurdles either. All the initial publicity was about the changes to hurdles.
Where some posters are commenting that Kempton won’t be missed because it has become run down and does not have much good racing, I think the point that is being missed is that this is because it’s what has been allowed to happen. It has been neglected, quite possibly intentionally, and with the hope that this is what people will then say.
Other struggling racecourses have been rejuvenated and, with better leadership, I am sure Kempton could be. The fact that the Jockey Club and BHA have allowed such a prestigious and important course to fail in this way is utterly shameful.
I think we have to be realistic that the death of a high profile horse is going to elicit a stronger reaction. But ITV are normally good at treating all equine deaths sensitively, and I was quite surprised to hear laughter and joking from the ITV team immediately after Wertpol’s fall; it was pretty obvious it was fatal even before it was confirmed.
Even if for some reason Alice and Luke didn’t see the fall (in which case why were they commenting on the race?), I would hope somebody would be shouting in their ear to tone it down as it seemed tactless and disrespectful. And I say this as someone who likes Alice and Luke as presenters.
A longer winter break is not necessary, especially for Jumps racing at a time of year that is perfect for it (frosts aside!).
The weather could easily be fine during the break and freezing the next week, leading to a prolonged spell without any action. If racing adopted this idea, it would potentially be shooting itself in the foot.
Agree Peter, a disappointingly small field, and only one runner aged over 11.
Veterans have always been one of my favourite aspects of our sport. The longevity of Jumps horses’ careers was something that attracted me to it originally.
Seeing horses continue to perform well at older ages, and not have been soured by racing after long careers, has always been very much a positive in my view.
Lovely to see El Fabiolo back. He’s still unexposed over hurdles, and it will be fascinating to see what he achieves.
I’d be very uneasy to see him running over fences again, and hope connections are not tempted to do so.
Happy New Year all
Thanks for organising the awards Nathan. Congratulations to all the winners, especially to VtC, and also to Astralcharmer for their interesting winning thread.
I’m another in support of the recognition given to the Golden Ace team. In an environment that is increasingly dominated by the same few faces, and where there is a tendency to play it safe, it has been a joy to see the sporting and adventurous approach they have taken pay off.
Normally I find it quite easy to nominate a thread of the year, but nothing stands out this time despite the usual high quality of posting.
I’m not sure if HDLG’s comment about the Constitution Hill thread counts as a nomination, but if not I’d like to nominate the Constitution Hill thread for thread of the year.
The Jockey Club should be ashamed of how Kempton has declined, and that they have failed as custodians of such an important piece of racing’s heritage. I’d agree with others that the decline set in when the turf Flat course was replaced with the all-weather.
It will be desperately sad if the place ends up being tarmacked over, and all there is to show of it in a few years’ time is a housing estate containing “King George Close” and “Desert Orchid Drive”.
“Four countries out over Israel.”
A few more than that will be needed to make much difference to the UK’s chances
