Sunday's Meetings Naas N/H 7 Races 1:00-4:05p.m. Sedgefield N/H 7 Races 1:10-4:13p.m. Fontwell N/H 6 Races 1:50-4:22p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
I guess all eyes will be on Anzadam in the Limestone Lad Hurdle as he is currently around 10/1 for the Champion Hurdle BUT I am going to take him on today with William Durkan's Laafi. The former William Haggas inmate (won 3 races on the flat on soft/heavy and achieved a peak rating of 98) has an entry in the Supreme and was very impressive on his hurdles debut at Limerick on Boxing Day. Whilst the form of that win is nothing special he did it from the front, jumped very nicely and only had to be pushed out to win. With Anzadam 1/6 and Laafi 6/1 I think the novice is worth a bet today in receipt of 7lbs. Edit: Taken a slice of 45/1 about Laafi for the Supreme just in case he does win (or push Anzadam very close)
Naas 13,00 Individualiste 7/2 bet365, 10/3 others Sedgefield 15,40 Monaghan Boy 9/2 bet365, 4/1 others
They pay the jockeys, which goes to the PJA for the benefit of the jockeys. So what we are saying is why shouldn't the trainers get paid as well. What's the difference? We felt trainers should be entitled to some remuneration for the enormous number of interviews they give. Former Professional Jockeys Association chairman Nigel Payne, who is acting for the Professional Racing Association, believes trainers should be paid for live broadcast interviews Anyone got an opinion on this?
I found David Ord's words very wise: https://www.sportinglife.com/racing...ent-david-ord-on-the-cheltenham-action/223343 "And what of the fans of the sport, both casual and hardcore? Could we really be in a position where Constitution Hill regains his Champion Hurdle crown in March and all the viewing public see of Henderson is the man collecting his trophy and smiling for the cameras? Raw reaction, passion, emotion, it brings any sport to life. Whatever the aims of this PRA move, if the rights holders continue to hold firm, we’re preventing racing from showcasing and enhancing our best stories – at a time of year when we can ill afford to do so." Not sure that asking the racecourses to fund this is right. Money is tight in racing, has been for years for nearly all protagonists and the whole subject feels a little bit mercenary to me.
15:50 Fontwell - Captain Claude e/w Class-4 Handicap Chase over an extended 3m3f on soft ground. Has a sqeak to run a good race in this affair. Sam Twiston-Davies rides for the Anthony Honeyball stable. 5/1 (Wm.Hill/BetUK) best price early-doors, on the ATR site at time of writing.
Assume ‘they’ means TV? If a contribution goes to PJA then it isn’t directly to the jockeys as I understand it. Seems a bit short sighted to me of Mr Payne. All part of widening the fan base surely? The hierarchy of racing does seem to me to be pretty parochial in outlook so no surprise really.
This 3.5 mile steeplechase at Fontwell could be brutal viewing. Need a tough jockey so I’ll have a little bit on Sean Bowen and Record High.
Poor run indeed, didn't see-out distance at all, as I had hoped he would. Winner was certainly a shock!
Nass raised the subject on this thread regarding trainers being paid for interviews. Below is Kim Bailey’s thoughts on the matter today in his blog. Some on here reckon he’s not the greatest at training horses but I reckon he’s spot on here. Clearly could teach a few of his fellow trainers a thing or 2 about good manners as well with their attitude to sponsors. “Sorry folks but this idea of trainers being paid for their interviews is ridiculous..We should be promoting our sport not hindering it.... Jockeys get paid for their interviews but that money goes to help fund/subsidise their insurance etc.. not directly into their pockets. The top trainers are the ones who are probably fed up with all the interviews and feel that they should be rewarded, but can I see Nicky Henderson carrying a card machine around with him to be used before he opens his mouth! Racing and trainers have many faults but forgetting this idea of cash for talking I feel we also are incredibly lax at appreciating those who help us by sponsoring racing. I write to all non-betting related sponsors when I win a race and thank them. I know from my own experience that trainers and owners lack appreciation .. I have sponsored at Ascot and went out of my way to give a decent magnum of wine to winning trainer and owner and oddly enough the jockey as a prize. Ascot thanked me but they were alone.. I now do not sponsor! I emailed the CEO of Peter Marsh thanking him for sponsoring their race for 40 years after Trelawne was 4th there last week and he replied by saying ‘Many thanks for your kind email. It is very rare to receive such a lovely note of thanks, so it is much appreciated, and I have shared it with my colleagues''......A note goes a long way. We all like to be thanked..On that note David Attwood writes to trainers and owners thanking them for bringing their winning horse to Doncaster. David's personal hand written letter goes a long way.. ask Penny Perriss! Racing needs to help itself not always line pockets..”
