That sound you hear of relieved jockeys praising the latest “commonsense” move on the whip in Britain is actually the hollow echo of the BHA’s credibility continuing to swirl down the plughole. (more…)

Here’s Irish racing’s problem. I have a pal – I know, hard to believe – who likes the gee-gees. But what he really loves is a bet. His idea of bliss is to sit down in front of the telly and bet on the exchanges. And here’s the thing. He will bet on whatever you like: But not Irish racing. And the reason is simple – he doesn’t trust it. (more…)

The countdown to Cheltenham will dominate the next month but burbling underneath that feverish festival anticipation will be some frantic domestic lobbying as the reality of Simon Coveney’s review into Irish racing starts to take hold within the industry here. (more…)

Sunday’s Hennessy Gold Cup is the last-chance-saloon in terms of identifying a genuine Irish prospect for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but it’s the English based horse Synchronised that could be the most important runner in the race. (more…)