I am not “obsessed” with ratings but I am prepared to take into account all evidence available. The evidence shows that, so far, this year’s three year olds are nothing special. I see that lame excuses have been made for packing Galileo Gold off to stud but Ribchester can only beat what was racing against him and he did so fair and square, so I have no reason yet to doubt his rating. Ribchester was third in last year’s Sussex Stakes on good to firm ground in a three way finish and is now rated eight pounds better; and subsequently won the Prix Jacques le Marois and was second in the Queen Elizabeth II on good ground. Ribchester is rated 131 by Timeform against Churchill on 126 (presumably they will revise that after Saturday); obviously Timeform do not get it right all the time or every favourite would win and there would be no bookies.
Unfortunately Timeform do not get it right anywhere near as often as they did in the days of Phil Bull. However, they have more factors weighing against them now, and it's the same for all form based organisations. Even I am finding it difficult to pick winners these days
