CHELTENHAM

Tuesday: 3 False Starts

Wednesday: 3 False Starts

The starters’ team adopted emergency tactics for the three big-field-races on Thursday. The first stage was to send the Rolling Maul (the close packed and as yet unstressed runners) back down the track away from the start until it was almost out of sight, and then turned it towards the tapes. About 100+ yards behind the start line the starter sent the field on its way, before it had overheated, and without any attempt at “a level break.” I don’t blame the starters. When one is getting mixed messages and no help from above one has to make the best of a bad job.

Friday: 2 False Starts. (8 False Starts is Disgraceful)

The BHA has already started blaming the jockeys. I would encourage them to resist this injustice as if it were a very poisonous snake (which it is). The blame belongs to the flawed arrangements (the Rolling Maul), to which the Regulator seems to be inextricably addicted. Until the process is changed the trouble will continue. Aintree is the next battlefield in this particular war.

Before I forget: at least one horse was kicked at the start at Cheltenham. That is part and parcel of the risk when you combine many horses with limited space.

If the Rolling Maul were discontinued tomorrow it is quite possible that the problem would solve itself, because the logic is so obvious. However I am not sure that logic features in the mental processes of the BHA. Certainly employing inexperienced foreigners to do a job about which they know nothing is not a clever way of running a business. Whoever is in charge of hiring and firing should be sacked.

Here are a few thoughts on the subject of big-field-starting:

1. No “process” should begin until the whole field is down at the starting area. Trust me – that caveat is important.

2.  The field should take a big turn (circle) on the track at a distance from the starting gate designated in advance by the starting team. There the preliminaries (tack, re-shoeing, veterinary interventions, etc) are dealt with. The big turn should be anticlockwise, in single file.

Every trainer in Britain says” Take a turn!” several times a morning when he wants his string of horses to give him time to think of his next brilliant idea.  When they hear that phrase the horses understand that nothing serious is going to happen for several minutes – and they relax.

3 . When the starter decides to start the race he will give the signal. The runners will turn towards the tapes, at the walk. There will be enough time and space for jockeys to choose a position and make an adequate sort of line, but not enough time for the field to overheat. Understood? That’s enough for the moment.

In spite of all the above, most of the racing at Cheltenham was brilliant, and I was quite impressed by the fortitude of the jumping fraternity when the heavens opened and a daylong deluge tested their mettle and their tweeds. I speak as one whose participation in the Festival relied entirely on ITV Sport.

What did I see? It crossed my mind that the suddenly-much-softer ground inspired jockeys not to go too fast.  As a result, was it wishful thinking or did I not see runners in race after race charging up the final hill in what looked like pretty good order? I hope so, and I hope the figures confirm that casualties were fewer than average.

OISIN MURPHY

He is a sublimely talented horseman, and if he would stick to riding I might warm to him. But he doesn’t stick to riding. He seems to be constantly seeking other scenarios in which he can look extra special – and then he messes up and tries to create a headline out of extra special remorse – and so it goes on.

Young Master Murphy, you are a genius on a horse, you are heroic on a horse,  you are charming on a horse. The horse (and Andrew Balding) have given you a life and a future which would be enough for thirty top-class jockeys. Be satisfied. If I was driving a bus to Eastern Europe guess who would not be on my team.

EASTERN EUROPE

President Biden nearly derailed NATO by announcing that Putin must be replaced, and I am sure the latter made the most of this gaff, but the damage was reduced by the instant “official” American explanation that their leader was simply overcome by indignation, and that the USA was not embracing “regime change” as a way forward.

The word is that Russia is losing ground in Ukraine. Maybe now is the moment for the beleaguered population to be helped more than ever before. A sudden mass attack on a downhearted Russian military by an apparently buoyant Ukraine could be a game-saver. Conclusion: Ukraine becomes not a “neutral” state but a NATO member bristling with firepower. Meanwhile sanctions continue to reduce Putin’s war-chest, and his popularity.

I must say I am full of admiration for the Ukrainians. In a lifetime during which I have been made aware of multiple wars, I have never heard of one in which a president has ordered all male citizens under 60 to stay at home and prepare to fight. What is more, it would appear that the affected members of the population have accepted this test of their loyalty –  just like that. I must be really old to have forgotten that Churchill offered the British people the same challenge in 1940 and they accepted it – just like that. Wake up, Donec!

Meanwhile in England, great excitement as the police reveal who drank what at how many parties at 10 Downing Street during a pandemic which in most cases was no worse than a bad cold, and even more excitement to see if a prime minister is honour bound to resign his position because of a conviction (if he is indeed convicted of partying inappropriately). As the said prime minister very nearly died of the pandemic it seems rather hard on him to be slung into the outer darkness of the political world simply because, under enormous pressure, he became thirsty from time to time, as do we all. It just shows how steely is the British resolve when it comes to liquid intake.

The leading political journalist of the BBC (skinny, blonde, magisterial) seems convinced that  parties are a tiny bit more important than Ukraine. I wonder if that is so.

Best Wishes,

Looking forward to Ayr and Aintree,

Donec