The Tullow Tank© Photo Healy Racing
Well another week and another interesting tail of woe for Racing in the UK as the cuffs don't match the collars when it comes to flags. You have to wonder what the thought process is when making an unfortunate mistake easy fodder for negative front page news. Matters taken in hand by the powers at the track immediately after the race and a few hands held up would have buried the void race at Sedgefield into the "in other news" section next to the classifieds. But that requires common sense...
Errors were made by many, including of course the jockeys who ignored a flag that is meant to stop a race but remember the fence was to be bypassed for low sun, so a flag especially a yellow one is easily lost in the glare isn't it? Add to that the correct bypass flag was used on the next passing of the fence so if the jockeys got it wrong first time then they weren't helped the second time round either.
The horses involved have had to run three and a half miles so that's them cooked for a fair while and the winner and its connections pay the price in the end. A simple wrapping of knuckles for racecourse staff who made the error, the jockeys who either ignored or didn't see the incorrect flag and a result to stand would not have had a whisper of discontent from anyone would it?
Punters get paid out when stuff like this occurs but that involves common sense and the hope of keeping a customer for a commercial enterprise - does the same apply in the thought process of the racecourse administrators and powers at the top? The rules were adhered too in terms of voiding the race so ok that's acceptable, I guess, but the jockeys getting 10 day bans fits what crime exactly? Let's blame the Sun, how dare it get involved with a quiet day at Sedgefield, rain, fog and nice grey cloud cover will be welcome at all race meetings this side of March please if you're listening up there.
This weekend is a bumper affair, one of the best weekends this side of Santa arriving to steal your mince pies having already dented your wallets. What's not to like with the Hennessy - a puzzle that requires serious solving - and three Grade One's on Sunday at what promises to be a set fair Fairyhouse with some sun ( not too low please ) and some certain stars on show.
The Hennessy has a rather tasty favorite for the layers in Djakadam and I've been in trouble before for suggesting something had to be layed at the odds but hey he's there to be shot at for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. With the layers getting more generous towards post time the prices are now starting to get a bit more realistic but even at a likely 9/2 or so I'd have to be the other side of him at 3pm on Saturday. Big Bucks might have won this at his age but he was some animal as we found out in no uncertain terms and it will be a tall ask to do better even with a clear round so whilst it's no lay of the century he's still on the swerve list. I'm madder than most perhaps but Houblon Des Obeaux will carry my hopes off top weight, he's no Denman and jumps a little like a hippo but he fires fresh and will be flying at the end if the fences haven't claimed his chances.
The Drinmore is the race of the weekend for me and I would guess many others. I hope that it really does provide the spectacle it promises and if The Tullow Tank can pull away in the finish to a rapturous reception then there will not be a dry eye in the land.
In the words of a former tactically challenged football manager I would love it, love it if that is the story of this weekend....
