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I think you are underselling yourself here, Joe! As I have known you as a spotter “value” horses over a longish period, I must remind you that you picked Tornado Flyer in 2021. No odds at all, indeed! (28/1) That made up for the others over a period of time? In my short and uneducated following of NH, I have been struck by the number of times that the unexpected has confounded form. Good luck over the break and I for one shall certainly be looking at your well informed thinking. Tom
Leave of Absence came up as a notebook horse and I backed it last night. I think Rex Dingle is a quietly effective and thus, sometimes underrated, jockey. But as you say, is this the right race for LoA?. Agree about Doddiethegreat and El Jefe, too. Let’s hope the latter gets us off to a good start for the races over the break.
Joe, that is a really substantial contribution with a host of facts, observations and arguments. There was an article about the Kempton closure plan in 2017, which focussed on Thierry Doumen’s dismay and the setting up of a battle by green belt protestors to stop the planning pernmission.
Doumen’s contribution strongly supports your arguments and Lydia Hislop’s about the suitability of the ground in the winter.
Jim Mullen’s approach, having come from the publishing industry and Ladbrokes, through whose eyes he probably sees UK horseracing, is, as you say, entirely lacking in imagination. He is just reaching for the first and most obvious means of raking in a capital sum. All the entirely valid and indeed, straightforward means of raising funds to develop the sport in the UK which you outline have probably never been considered. It must be asked what the credentials are of his financial advisers? Do their interests encompass the well being of the sport which could see it developed across the whole spectrum of tracks with the application of imagination and the sort of funding streams which you mention.
You have commented many times on the paucity of the leadership of UK horseracing given the nature of the tripartite organisational structure. The Jockey Club has a real opportunity to launch a real programme of re-vitalisation of the kind that you outline, but which is about to fall at the first hurdle. It is indeed depressing.
Lavida Avida was an inspired selection, there, Bobby. Pulled away from the challengers pretty smoothly.
Well done, Moehat. (See my response to Archipenko below). You are right. You did exceptionally well to take on the bully at your workplace. In general, these people know that they can get away with their appalling behaviour. I remember a case in my employment where a line manager followed a member of staff into the women’s toilet, where this person had sought refuge. They were brought close to breakdown by the interminable harrassment.
On Bryony Frost, she was the victim of wrong and unacceptable practices. I think the reports at the time are well worth reading again.
Louis Weston successful in BHA disciplinary case against Robbie Dunne. Reasons now published.
It took immense courage for Bryony Frost to take on the covert establishment. I think it is likely that she knew the consequences for her future career would be harmed, which only makes her determination all the more laudable.
It is very good to hear that she has found a better environment in French racing and is thriving.
Well done! Such bullying is very disturbing and upsetting, entirely unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to book by the management. My two decades of experience as a trade union officer included many occasions when a person who was taking out a case against the management found that witnesses to an event melted away, ran for cover, etc. It is no different from the lack of courage shown in groups by apparently decent people when something unacceptable is said and no-one speaks out to the perpetrator.
You are absolutely right that a younger person might well have been seriously affected, their life made a misery, etc, by such bullying.
Social cultures which are discriminatory are very hard to change and there is a great deal of personal courage needed to take them on.
Another deadly selection! (Grozni) It’s turning into another remarkable season for you.
Great to see your post, Joe. Always very clear and reasoned. Reminds me of your legendary tip about Sizing Tennessee in 2018 (which you don’t mention!) for this race! Good Luck Tom J
Forgive me for indicating that Ethical Diamond was the winner I meant, which is a gelding.
What an honest man Willy Mullins is. His interviews give the imporession that what he says is true, not a mixture of PR and sleight of hand. I lost money on the race, but I could not be more pleased to see a real somewhat off the wall idea from Willie’s assistant taken on by the man himself, who having made the assessment, left it to the marvellously talented young jockey to taske everyone’s collective breath away. Long may he continue to amaze us all.
Just caught up with Cicero’s Gift, VtC! We’ve been laid low with….courgette poisoning – yes, it’s really a thing – a very bad thing if you ever have the misfortune. I grew ’em myself, too. Caused by an excess of cucurbitacin which the plant produces to deter predators in certain circumstances….
The Cicero’s Gift must be close to your all time antepost winners?
Let us hope that scorcher means that you will be running rings round the odds for the forthcoming jumps season.
Well done with Nick Rockett. After he won the Thyestes (I followed you on that), I backed him antepost for the National. But was 33s then, same as yesterday.
