Thursday's Meetings Curragh Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:15p.m. Exeter N/H 7 Races 1:40-5:10p.m. Worcester N/H 7 Races 1:55-5:20p.m. Tramore N/H 7 Races 2:00-5:25p.m. Ayr Flat 7 Races 2:10-5:40p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 9 Races 4:25-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Morning, team. I guess the 2 big talking points this morn are that (i) Dettori has, and I quote, 'cancelled his retirement' and (ii) the maximum field in the Grand National will now be 34 - down from 40. Anyone expecting a quiet news day on the racing front, this Thursday, obviously didn't see these stories emerging!!!
This will sound controversial, and please don't misunderstand it as racism, but I'd add a limit on the number of Irish runners in the Grand National too - it is getting ridiculous. I'm happy for them to farm the Grade 1s because those races are rightly about the best horses competing against each other but the Grand National is a handicap. The 2023 renewal saw 17 of the top 20 in the weights trained in Ireland and in total Willie Mullins had 5 runners, Gordon Elliott 5 whilst just 13 of the 40 runners were trained in Britain. I think the Fairyhouse version caters for the Irish and their scattergun approach and Aintree is in danger of becoming a copy of that. At least look at limiting the number of entries per yard.
14:00 Tramore our uncle jack. Came from miles back at at a huge price last time. Been supported today so worth a small bet unless it starts drifting back out. 15:05 worcester - wendigo. 10's into 4/1. Should go close
I definitely agree with limiting the amount of runners from one yard. Think Elliot had about 10 one year, a quarter of the field
The bottom weight will be rated around 145 now. Without the Irish you would certainly reduce the class of the overall competition and thus render it more dangerous again……
You missed out the biggest news for racing which in my opinion is "The Irish government will increase its contribution to racing by €3.2 million to €76m in 2024, which will keep the industry growing and provide opportunities, according to Horse Racing Ireland's Suzanne Eade."
Oh Oddy, we are already in a race to the bottom in UK jumps racing, please don't suggest things like that!! We should be embracing the fact that Irish racing is just about keeping UK racing afloat with their competitive nature at Cheltenham and Aintree. Without them, or with reduced numbers, we would see the truly shambolic skeleton that UK jumps racing has become. I am not sure if you heard the Final Furlong Podcast last week with Fergal, but they were talking about a similar story of Mullins domination and Fergal's response was that we need to do better. This is the approach we should be taking, but instead of "do better" we should be adding in a few expletives as well. The whole industry in UK Jumps racing is shambolic, from the breeding of stock, through the amateur P2P ranks, into NH stables and all the way up to the lack of competition in the top races. Let's also face facts, its not as if the big yards aren't spending money, we see so many 100k + horses running in the UK, and they all either turn out to need a wind op (Mr Nicholls), get wrapped up in cotton wool (Mr Henderson), turn out to be utter dogshit (Mr J O'Neill) and/or get injured (Mr O'Brien + many others).
@NassauBoard loved the Jonjo bit I managed to read the RP interview with Dr Newland (thanks @PNkt) and he wants the Irish banned from low grade jumps races in the UK as they are taking a lot of the prize money. Which does back up what you are saying about the mediocrity of UK jumps racing. Thank heavens for Lieutenant Henderson
No accounting for what happens in bumpers stick I see Coolmore have well and truly discovered the geography of the USA - after Alabama and Illinois in recent days, Milwaukee wins today.
Absolutely ridiculous comments by Newland last week. I would agree that perhaps a limit of runners per yard could be potentially introduced but also what is the flip side? The runners who don't participate go and walk a 4 runner G2 or G3 somewhere else? We cry out for over seas runners here, we love to see the British/French or wherever it may be coming over to tackle our best on home turf. It gives us a chance to see some class animals in the flesh and also adds to the competitiveness. To take away that competition would further deplete the level of racing in Britian I would imagine. Why don't the British contingent bombard us with runners and take the prizes home? Ireland is a tiny Country and runs far fewer horse race meets than Britain so it makes perfect sense to send over our raiders to try win races rather than let them be idle when fit. I think if Newland and the likes spent more time improving their training regimes and knowledge of the horses he trains it might serve him better than to be crying that Billy is better than Bobby so we must get rid of Billy to let Bobby have a turn at winning. Perhaps that is the mindful culture now anyway, it has taken hold at under age levels here that everyone gets a medal and losers are winners etc, it might be fine to encourage kids that way but to do that is not top level professional sport at all. I am not sure what the solution is really, I have no answer that can solve it but my immediate reaction to British racing has been that it there is no reason why it shouldn't be better. Maybe sometimes you just have to accept 2nd place as well. There is so much racing on in Britain nowadays it is hard to fathom trainers are having issues finding opportunity for their horses and more so having to complain about "raiders" taking the spoils. Take our side out from coming over and see what product you will be left with then?
It is definitely quantity over quality in the UK. Simple maths to me - you can have 1000 races worth 10 grand each or 100 races worth 100 grand each and you will get a very different class of animal entered. BHA needs to take the hatchet to the program and get rid of the dross meetings where you have 7 or 8 low grade races with a couple of hundred spectators in attendance. Yes there will be yards go bust and job losses but it is pretty pointless as it is now. Please don't get me wrong STH, I love Ireland, and the Irish, and I think Willie Mullins is an absolute genius. The crapness of many UK racing operations just makes you desperate for something to change.
I understand what you are saying Oddy and I know you don't mean bad in your sentiment I really don't think blocking foreign runners is the way to go, it isn't a good precedent for fairness of competition. Unless there is a genuine issue of rule breaking or misuse of the rules then these horses have every right to run.
