It is a mystery of cowboy movies as to why circling the wagons is considered a good tactical move: short term it might keep a few scalps in contact with their owners heads but there’s hardly a future in it. That’s something that should be kept in mind during this latest furore over the whip. (more…)

Marketing people know all about the “USP” concept, or “Unique Selling Point.” It includes a priceless ability to distil the essence of your product into a single, snappy line. So with the always savvy Ladbrokes behind them, anyone believing that Fairyhouse are going to cough up their traditional Easter Monday date for the Irish Grand National any time soon is living in cloud-cuckoo-land. (more…)

Ruby Walsh may operate in a different code but his unique position within the National Hunt game of riding for the champion trainers in both Britain and Ireland looks like it could be a template for Ryan Moore’s future. (more…)

Lots of initiatives are cooked up to persuade floating sporting voters of horse racing’s magic but the most tried and trusted recruiting method of all will once again begin at 4.15 this Saturday when the tape goes up on the Aintree Grand National. (more…)