The comparative irrelevance of the punter in Irish racing is something that many people – punters especially – find hard to acknowledge but it is an unfortunate reality that underpins the fundamental flaw within the industry in this country. (more…)

Can we take it after the Martin Scruff debacle then that any jockey in future who comes into the steward’s room after making a howling error, holds his hands up and admits it, and gets support from the trainer of the horse involved, will merely get a slap on the wrist? (more…)

When it comes to politics, even the greenest new councillor quickly learns the value of wriggle room. Not for nothing are “up to a point” regarded as the most important words in politics and with an election almost upon us, there is some extremely energetic wriggling going on. (more…)

There’s thirty six day to Cheltenham and counting. Actually we’ve been counting for quite for some time. There’s even an argument that the entire National Hunt year is really just a long pre-parade for four March afternoons in Gloucestershire. And it’s an ability to remove those festival blinkers that can eventually pay off for anyone prepared to think outside the Cheltenham box. (more…)