Mistakes, Mistakes and even More Mistakes

Newbury Last Weekend

Was it a success?. Not sure. It was good to have the racing but at what cost. The Racing Post appears to be doing a cover up as I could find in last Sunday's edition, record of only one horse dying last Saturday. Am led to believe it was three. Was the ground dangerously fast. Are we so desperate for racing that we are prepared to put horse's lives at risk? Am sure that under normal circumstances Newbury would have been contemplating watering before racing. The frosts made that impossible.

Did the covers work simply because the ground was so dry in the first place? Looking to the future, is it possible that the magic solution of fleeces only works when the ground is dry rather than saturated with moisture? We shall find out next year no doubt. In the meantime it would be a shame or is that disgrace, if debate on this issue was stifled. Simply because it was considered that racing on a Saturday regardless was more important than losing a few horses.

Jane Stickels and other Notorious mistakes

Why do the Racing Post attempt to hang draw and quarter anyone in racing who can be incontrovertibly identified in making a mistake? Remember the front page picture of Roger Loughran condemned for his mistake on Central House over Christmas. Now it is the turn of Mrs Stickels to receive a public castigation. Mistakes happen all the time I make them. The Racing Post makes plenty, how many of their own staff have they publicly condemned?

In the case of Mrs Stickels, the mistake is not hers but the governing body. If millions of pounds are dependent on the outcome of a photograph. Why is the determination of the result left in the hands of a single person? In most companies staff can't draw up a cheque for any significant amount without having the details checked first. It is good practice. Have no reason to doubt the integrity of the present crop of officials working in racing. The lackadaisical attitude, however, of allowing a single judge to decide a result is simply inviting crime. Two quick copy and pastes on a photo could alter a tight result. Who checks the veracity of these photos? Does the system routinely send a copy of the photo finish to another computer, for example in the stewards room and or to the Jockey Club to ensure that an original copy is preserved? By not having a procedure that in the event of a photo finish the result has to be confirmed by another official first, a sreward for example, before the result is announced. The blame lies fairly and squarely in the hands of those that run racing for not accepting that mistakes will always happen and can't be covered up on every occasion. They should have a foolproof procedure in operation. In the meantime those that have never made a mistake can be invited to write the dismissal letters.

Todays Ratings

Have made plenty of mistakes today as usual no doubt. Once again with Cheltenham on the horizon, am considering the day as low key. The day's big race, Sunderlands Imperial Cup seems to have attracted a whole host of well handicapped hurdlers. Only one can win, unless we have a dead heat again. Not unheard of for a horse to run poorly in this race and put up a much better display at Cheltenham. On the subject of mistakes, Will not be top rating Brave Inca next week. That is not to say it can't win. Just that on times it is not the best horse. It's wins this season have come in slowly run affairs. Conor O'Dwyer's winning ride on Hardy Eustace last season, was in my book the ride of the season. He did not ask for 100% in an all out battle with Brave Inca as that it would have left the horse vulnerable to the cantering Harchibald. He only asked for maximum effort at the precise moment that Paul Carberry pressed the button in the last 50yds. Hardy Eustace regained the crown with a time that was 10lb below its best. One of the biggest certainties of the season was that the champion would not win a race of any major significance before Cheltenham. Know who I would rather be supporting in the big one next Tuesday. Won't take long to find out if I've made a mistake.

Sandown

• 2:10 Tokala 137, Top Brass 135, Billyandi 131, Killaghy Castle 131, Nice Horse 130, Wogan 130, Principe Azzurro 129, Snakebite 128, Hibernian 126, Yaboya 125, Easter Present 125, Idris 125
• 2:45 Eric's Charm 138, Latimer's Place 137, Migwell 135, Tana River 133, Bathwick Annie 130, Indalo 130, Mount Clerigo 127
• 3:20 Ursis 152, Tarlac 150, Victram 150, Dont Call Me Derek 148, Nous Voila 146, Fier Norman 144, Bongo Fury 144, Verasi 143, Fenix 143, Dusky Warbler 142, Distant Prospect 142, Lunar Crystal 140, Cloudy Grey 140
• 3:55 Knockrara Luck 130, Karello Bay 123, Sarotogane 120, Wyldello 118, Senora Snoopy 114, Tambourine Davis 114, Scarvagh Diamond 113, Heron Marsh 112, Sparron Hawk 112, Hiho Silver Lining 111, Rosita Bay 109
• 4:25 Hoo La Baloo 159, Priors Dale 141, Muhtenbar 139, Neptune Joly 119
• 4:55 Nycteos 134 leaving rest alone

Ayr

• 2:15 Patxaran 114, Woodford Consult 107, Adalari 106, Calfraz 106
• 2:50 Brandy Wine 120, Alimire Du Lire 117, Wildfield Rufo 114, Harlov 111, Moon Mist 109
• 3:25 Vocative 106, Reap The Reward 105, Roscahl 100, Kirkside Pleasure 99, Sotovik 94
• 4:00 Big-And-Bold 128, Flight Command 127, Green Ideal 127, Brave Thought 125, Dans Dealer 123, Master Sebastian 118
• 4:35 Turbo 137, Greenfield 125, Muckle Flugga 125, First Look 125, Time To Roam 124, Crackleando 120, Aston Lad 118
• 5:05 leaving alone
• 5:35 leaving alone

Chepstow

• 2:30 Geeveem 125, Clemax 121, Nagam 121
• 3:05 leaving alone
• 3:40 Supreme Toss 126, Beauchamp Prince 108, Royal Scandal 104, Opal Ridge 103
• 4:15 leaving alone
• 4:50 Nycteos 129, Macmar 123, Key Phil 121, Launde 120
• 5:25 Canavan 126, Passenger Omar 125, Desert Tommy 123, Kingsbay 120, The Gangerman 119, Biscar Two 118, Miss Fharenheit 118, Star Angler 116

Grand National

Hope to go through the weights in the next few days. The top rated is not necessarily the one I'm backing in the race. Had backed Hedgehunter before Christmas last year and kept on backing it till on the day of the race. Have already backed what I expect to win during the summer. It is too short to back now. So not going to get excited until the day of the race.

Cheltenham Festival

Definitely plan to put ratings up. With only one meeting to concentrate on, will aim to have them up for 10pm the night before. Most of the racing is going to be tight. The ground is critical. I see there is more rain forecast

Ratings Pages

Need to update them, having not done them them since before the Cheltenham Festival, so a job to before the end of the month. Just snowed under.

Links

Apologies, snowed under with about five weeks of ratings to key in. Therefore not going to be dealing with any requests for links in the forseeable future.

Betdaq

Imagine a world where there is only one pub group, where the price of a pint is the same everywhere and could be cheaper. Or only one supermarket chain with only one brand of coffee at a higher price. Would be frightening to me.

You want to back a horse early in the 2.00. Do you ring up the same bookmaker or do you look around to see who is offering the best price? Why then in the world of betting exchanges do you always use the same outlet?

Is it not time that you used another exchange as well and created some competition in the market place? Help to make Betdaq stronger and boost liquidity by putting the odd bet on there regularly. It may not seem like it in the short term but a stronger Betdaq will mean a better market place for all. Now is a good time to start with the Jumps Season proper about to begin. Click here. to join