Say what you want about
@itvracing
but its commitment to racing over the last year has been unquestionable. To have live racing on terrestrial TV more often than one in three days has been an incredible boost for the sport in the toughest of times. Long may it continue.
It seems unfair to mention past mistakes but the way Charlie Deutsch has conducted himself over the past few years to become possibly the best chase jockey in the country has been incredibly impressive. A real credit to himself and a lesson for us all.
That's all folks. After 15 years on The Sun racing desk I'm off. I've met some wonderful people from all corners of this great sport and witnessed some great races. Frankel's Juddmonte International win was incredible and to be at Moonee Valley to watch Winx win her fourth Cox
Is it ok to say the Grand National isn't as thrilling as it once was when it had big fences, huge ditches, deep drops but still accept the changes needed to be made? Or, as this is the internet, do you have to be 100% one way or the other and spit poison at anyone who disagrees?
‘MAJOR INCIDENT’ declared in BOURNEMOUTH - pls stay away.
With 1/2 million visitors in Dorset, roads are gridlocked, hindering emergency vehicles & beaches are full - with Dispersal Orders on both piers.
I’ve asked Police Minister to dispatch additional police if Dorset requests
On June 6 1944 the bravest of the brave put their lives on the line to defeat tyranny. Thousands paid the ultimate price. On June 6 2020 the lowest of the low defaced memorials. So sad.
Overwhelmed by all the messages I've received over the last few days following my exit as Templegate. Every single one has been most appreciated - I never knew I was popular. I've met so many great people from all corners of racing. Hopefully, you won't get rid of me that easily.
Excited to be writing the Value Scope column in the Daily Mirror's racing pullout starting tomorrow. An honour to take over from my good mate Dave Mitchell. Hopefully I can do you proud Mitch but if you could give it a nudge in the right direction it would be much appreciated.
To read Josh Moore has broken vertebrae and ribs in a fall at Plumpton is most galling. One of the most underrated jumps jockeys and his luck with injuries throughout his career has been mostly bad. Speedy recovery, Josh.
When I go racing at weekends there seems to be loads of young people and it's wrong to say they're all there for drink. Why aren't they asked why they love racing rather than ask those not into racing why they don't like it? I'd say the whip rules are irrelevant to both groups.
Not seen a copy of the Racing Post for a while but fair play to them for entering into the spirit of April Fool's Day with something more original than the same tired old crappy gag. £4.20 🤣 good one guys, good one - you had me there for a minute 👏
Dropping the NH Chase coz it's down the bottom of Cheltenham Festival betting races is bonkers - it's not a football league table where the bottom two get relegated and replaced by new ones. Should never been reduced from 4m and maybe should go back to what it was 25 years ago
One of great things about Hollie Doyle's SPOTY nomination is how much it has annoyed the usual suspects within racing, all wailing she doesn't deserve it. Would've been easy to guess who would take that view. Will watch SPOTY for first time in years, hope she wins.
#votehollie
Bryony Frost has revealed issues exist between her and some other jockeys but jumping to conclusions on social media before the facts are revealed does not help matters. Read why.
Oh my 🙈 did this really happen? Eclair D'Ainay wins by 20 lengths at Lyon-Parilly on his first run for
@Provence_Racing
🐴🏆🇨🇵 Our owners are in for some exciting times
#France
#jumpsracing
I'll miss your little face at the window. I'll miss you sat on my desk while I work. I'll miss you rubbing your whiskers against my face. I'll miss watching you sleep by the fire. I'll miss you tabby cat. X 🐱
The last five horses before Nassalam to win the Welsh National carring 11st 6lbs or more: Elegant Escape, Native River, Synchronised, Master Oats, Carvill's Hill. Three Gold Cup winners and one more than good enough to win a Gold Cup.
@_JoMarney
Why on earth do people like you insist on commenting on subjects you clearly know nothing about? I'm sure you love the attention but, maybe, you should stick to Brexit. How's that going, btw?
The way
@donaldmccain
has bounced back from some tough times is remarkable. It must be only a matter of time before he gets more top-class horses.
#100up
There's been lots of change for me in 2019 but I end it incredibly happy working for/with great people. A few went above and beyond when I needed it - they know how much it's appreciated. If you're pushed off the hamster wheel in 2020 it might be for the best - it was for me. HNY
Next TV show to be banned market: 7-4 Dad's Army, 3-1 Porridge, 4-1 Auf Wiedersehen Pet, 11-2 Only Fools And Horses, 7-1 On The Buses, 8-1 Steptoe And Son, 10-1 The Office, 12-1 The Royle Family, 20-1 Top Of The Pops, 33-1 The Sooty Show. Each-way terms available.
Huge thanks to
@yorkracecourse
for looking after our syndicate members and supplying 60 complementary owners badges over the 2-day meeting. Other tracks should take note York is leading the way when it comes to syndicates. Thanks from all at
I've been lucky enough to witness some great races and horses - Desert Orchid, Istabraq and Frankel - but the atmosphere at the
@CoxPlate
topped the lot - truly astonishing - it doesn't really matter where Winx stands with the Enable/Cracksman
Two class conditionals in Niall Houlihan and Caoilin Quinn getting the opportunities they deserve and repaying that faith in graded races. Well done them and well done Gary Moore for putting them up.
Sad to read Carl Davis has died. His wonderful theme tune to one of the greatest sports films always runs through my head whenever I look out across Aintree.
Always found Mark Bradstock - and his wife Sara - wonderfully eccentric and, boy, could they train. Hard to think of anyone else with such a small team winning so many big races with different horses.
#Coneygree
#Carruthers
#StepBack
#KingHarald
Great to see Clondaw Castle win the big race and just as nice for Tom George stablemate Double Shuffle to finish sixth. Not many trainers could do it with a horse of his age. Patient approach might not be fashionable in the thirst for instant success but it's still the best way.
So sad to see the destruction of County Cricket. Four rounds of matches before the end of April to accommodate a pointless tournament has made a mockery of the domestic game.
This was one of, if not THE, great NH performances. Carrying top weight he thrashed Gold Cup winner Cool Ground, National winner Party Politics, sort of National winner Esha Ness, as well as Bonanza Boy, Twin Oaks, Kildimo etc. Sadly, he was a flawed genius.
#carvillshill
Champion tipster a few years later so I hope someone somewhere has won a few quid following my tips. Hopefully a few people enjoyed reading my words as well. It's been a pleasure but now on the next thing. Be lucky all.
What a mad country we live in when a tv comedy is effectively banned for having a scene where the main character, a constant figure of ridicule, mocks some germans about the war following a bang on the head. Of course it's fine if you want to desocrate a war memorial. Sad times.
These world rankings are being trotted out as if they're fact - they're just opinion. Informed opinion yes, but still just opinion. The only rankings that count is the finishing positions when horses race against each other. The rest is just fluff.
If the winner of the last two Champion Hurdles who's just finished second in the Irish Champion Hurdle can't win a Champion Hurdle them it looks like there's only going to be two runners this year. Sad.
Good grief. Four days off without pay for having a row. Good job the stewards weren't in some of the newsrooms I've worked in - there wouldn't have been anyone left.
That's what happens when you get rid of knowledgeable, experienced, talented broadcasters and replace them with people chosen for their 'bantz'. Those 'running' BBC can't see they're destroying it in the rabid pursuit of something to satisfy their egos not entertain the listeners
Tuned in to Radio 5 this afternoon to hear the Sussex Stakes. Wasn’t covered. Have they lost the rights, or just not interested? Commentary on closing stages during 3.30 sports desk, which described Mohaather, the 3-1 second-fav, as a “surprise winner.” Hey-ho.
Dreadfully sad Blue Spinnaker, winner of the 2004 Zetland Gold Cup, had to be put down having been injured last night. Something serious clearly spooked the old boy forcing him to almost bend in half a metal gate at Mick Easterby's yard. The suggestion is it was poachers. Awful.
The £30 food parcel scandal is yet another disgrace. Make no mistake, this government's first thought in any situation is 'how much can we make out of it for ourselves?'. They don't even pretend any different these days and must consider themselves untouchable. No shame.
Wonderful horse Dashel Drasher. Good trainer Jeremy Scott and fine ride from Matt Griffiths - didn't panic when Cyrname wanted to take him on up front. One for the good guys.
Gutted to hear mirror racing's Dave Mitchell has died. Fought illness with bravery and his usual good humour. Knew his horses and horseracing inside out. Hosted one of the great Cheltenham preview nights down in devon better than anyone could. Good guy, good mate. Sleep easy pal.
Apparently some ITV racing viewers were confused by my west country mumbling. My tipping column is definitely in the DAILY MIRROR. That's the paper who has had a racing pullout everyday since the sport resumed. Make sure to get your copy tomorrow and all next week for Royal Ascot
The bloke off morning TV everyone seems to be getting wound up about is an egotistical attention seeker. He wants you to talk about him. Get annoyed about stuff that matters - gawd knows there's enough going on that people should be furious about before some knob head.
Anyone after Cheltenham Festival accommodation?? Two-bed cottage 10 miles from track with easy route in. Located in nice Cotswolds village with good pub. Available all week.
Never understood the opposition to the Shergar Cup - the crowd is not your usual racing crowd with plenty of newcomers - not my favourite betting meeting by a long way but there's a stack of other races - I'll be on Racing TV tomorrow with fancies from Haydock and Newmarket
Saturday afternoons at my nan's house watching World Of Sport. Wonderful childhood memories of Dickie Davies. Sad to hear he's died, he was part of our lives.
The first building liberated on d-day- incredible to be here among veterans - 'heroes' is probably over used these days - those astonishingly brave men arriving in Normandy 75 years ago tonight are the true heroes and always will be
Plate was unbelievable. An atmosphere like no other. Neptune Collonges' last-gasp Grand National win was the other. Tipped up at 33-1 and he helped with me the naps table with a total of +60 that hasn't been beaten since. Went within a whisker of winning it the next year as well.
Everyone needs to have a goal in these strange times - something to aim for. Therefore, I'm aiming to watch all 147 episodes of The Dukes Of Hazzard. See you later.
I think I deserved better than this. Mowed a neighbour's lawn as he's not been well, went over a wasps' nest, got attacked by the swarm, stung a couple of dozen times. Thanks a lot.
Moeen Ali is an impressive cricketer and even more impressive man - he's been messed about more than anyone while others say they won't bat there, have to keep wicket, won't play 4-day county cricket - he's batted from 1-9 dropped for a guy without a wicket this test
#class
Readers of my Saturday column
@valuerater
got three races for the price of one this week. In they went with Imperial Aura (13-8), Song For Someone (11-4) and Bristol De Mai (9-4) all winning for a 31-1 treble. Trixie advised. Hope you were all on.
🥇🥇🥇 Cadillac makes it 3 out of 3 for my Value Scope column
@MirrorRacing
winning at 12-1 to go with Bobsleigh and Austrian Theory - hope a few of our readers have won a few quid 💰💰💰
@KateTracey12
Spare a thought for
@CM_Gethings
- wins the opening race at Aintree on National day and still only second favourite jockey in his own home 😬
Got to be a chance Paddy Brennan calls it a day at Aintree this weekend after copping an 18-day ban at Wincanton that takes him beyond the end of the season.
To me, Barney Curley was a superb character, all the mystery and intrigue, just the sort of person that attracts people to racing. Sadly, characters like Barney are not so welcome these days but I suppose that's progress. Came across as incredibly clever and compassionate.
The internet has spawned so many pretend journalists - qualified journalists train, learn and understand media law including court reporting restrictions and challenge them where necessary - pretend journos on a crusade without that knowledge are idiots and deserve what they get
In an ultra-strong field, the most pathetic aspect of a general election is seeing people running with ballot boxes in the pursuit of being first to announce the result. Like a racecourse judge, it's accuracy that matters, not speed.
#knobheads
Noel Fehily is as good as any jockey. Kept getting better through his 30s despite having more than his share of injuries. Suspect he's not the only jockey to have ridden at his last Cheltenham Festival.
Great day at Sandown to remember my old
@MirrorRacing
pal Dave Mitchell. Think Mitch gave Limited Reserve a good shove up the hill for readers of his Value Scope column I was lucky enough to take over. Miss you mate.
I love it when a plan comes together. Like I explained in my Value Scope column in
@MirrorRacing
I've been waiting for Sumo Sam to run over a marathon trip on deep ground. In she goes at 25-1
@Goodwood_Races
🏆 there's no doubt
@MirrorRacing
is the A-Team
#paperforwinners
Great to get my all-weather Trixie up for
@valuerater
- a different Saturday preview due to the freeze ❄️ but delighted to have found Crackling 10-11, Arafi 3-1 and Lord Riddiford 8-1. A £1 Trixie copped £130 💰 sign up FREE for top tips and insights from the
@valuerater
team
We are sad to share that One For Arthur died this morning. A horse of a lifetime, he made our dreams come true when winning the Aintree Grand National in 2017. Arthur had a fabulous life on and off the track, and in winning at Aintree brought himself immortality. We will miss him
Last Saturday tipping as Templegate - quite apt as I've had some good naps up on this day - Son Of The Cat at 18-1 in the consolation race and Rex Imperator in the Stewards' Cup at 12-1 - surprisingly Puds won't be anywhere near those prices but best of luck all.
Great day for followers of my
@MirrorRacing
Value Scope column - Dibble Decker (11-2), freely available at 20-1 this morning, lands a gamble at Wincanton, Carrigeen Castle (7-2) also goes in and Scalloway Bay (22-1) hits the frame
#paperforwinners