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Henry Cecil wasn’t famous for bluntness. Wry humour was more the late master-trainer’s speed. But one thing he was consistently and admirably blunt about was handicaps. He hated them; described them as an encouragement to cheat. And he was right. Everyone knows he was right. So why are we surprised when cheating actually occurs? And how has this ridiculous notion that handicaps are what punters want been allowed to take such root? (more…)
Encouragement To Cheat
June 17, 2013 by Brian O'Connor
Category: Bolger, Bookmakers, Derby, Henry Cecil, Races, Royal Ascot
If he stays- he wins: Simples!
May 27, 2013 by Brian O'Connor
Apparently he’s got the wrong shape, the wrong pedigree, and the wrong profile. And the form of his Guineas win is suddenly not worth a lot. But Derby 2013 still looks like boiling down to a simple point: if Dawn Approach stays, he wins. There are those who will tell you he doesn’t even need to stay properly and he’ll still win. But that’s wishful thinking. (more…)
Juggling The Flim-Flam
May 13, 2013 by Brian O'Connor
Ever notice how pedigree experts can explain a success so as to make it seem inevitable – after the event. It’s a flim-flam in many ways, designed to disguise a more mundane reality which is that talent is mostly a genetic crap-shoot. But listen to enough of these experts over the next couple of weeks and you will wind up wondering what Dawn Approach is doing in the Derby at all. (more…)
Category: Bloodstock, Bolger, Derby, money, Races Tags: Dawn Approach |
Where There’s A Will
March 25, 2013 by Brian O'Connor
Political-Will is a buzz-phrase that can sum up a lot. Mostly it sums up the belief that things happen or don’t happen in direct proportion to the whims of those in authority. And there is no greater whim in Irish racing than prizemoney. (more…)
Category: Bolger, Cheltenham, Curragh, Derby, HRI, money, Races, stewards Tags: Barry Connell, Denis Brosnan, Mars, Our Conor |
Brand New Dawn
October 15, 2012 by Brian O'Connor
Dawn Approach winning the Dewhurst was clearly a big deal but anyone clutching ante-post Guineas dockets on the unbeaten two year old champion probably celebrated more when confirmation came afterwards that the Godolphin owned colt is remaining with Jim Bolger. (more…)
Category: Bolger, Curragh, HRI, Racecourses, Turf Club
