I saw one big-field race yesterday (the Fox Hunters I think it was). The close-formation did it, the mood it encouraged was one of discomfort for both horses and riders. When the time came for the signal……. I suspect the jockeys are required to exchange out of the corner of the mouth whispers with the starting team, who will eventually suggest that a forward surge is required. The signal is the key to sharpening up starting times. When the signal was passed they surged so effectively that a False Start became inevitable. Now we had a mess of many horses in the Starting Gate area, uncertain what to do next. I think this was the point when the Standing Start should be called for and I think it was….. However the man with the flag noticed that all the horses were in a pretty level sort of formation, so he flagged like mad and ordered the field to be on its way – and that’s what it did. As far as I know, no great harm was done.

Today (Friday) we have the 2.20 (22 runners), 4.05 (30 runners) and the 5.15 (21 runners). Watch the horses when they get to the starting area. I have noticed that some jockeys resist the encouragement to join the great majority. I have to suggest that this is a reluctance to submit to the arrangements favoured by “management”, and I have to admit that I am inclined to agree with them.

Good Luck! I am now going to look up Willie Mullins on Wikipedia. It is not often that one gets this close to a genius and possibly a saint.