Health Warning

Given the way society's going it can't be long before gambling comes with a health warning. Akin to alcohol or sugar there will be societal acceptance that its fine in moderation but can be harmful. And inevitably that's going to provoke attitude changes. People still drink to excess and gorge themselves to obesity but no one pretends its trendy. That has had a major impact in perception terms. Racing's links to the betting industry could represent a similar image problem down the line.

The link between racing and bookmakers is inextricable these days. You can argue its always been the case but rarely if ever to this extent. From the sale of media rights to state subsidy of the Horse & Greyhound Fund and so much in between Irish racing's model is rooted in a betting market mostly free to do what it likes due to a pitiful lack of up to date regulation.

The social impact of that, particularly in relation to problem gambling, has been highlighted more and more in recent years. And if a meaningful Gambling Control Bill ever gets to see the light of day the social impact is likely to become the focus of yet more attention.

Just as we will always drink, eat, smoke and ingest stuff we know isn't sensible so people will also always gamble. It's an instinct as old as man. But that doesn't mean it's a wise move to bet so much on it being OK for a sport to be seen so enthusiastically in bed with the betting industry.

Attitudes change. Perhaps the greatest show-jumping horse ever produced by this country was Boomerang. Actually he was officially 'Carrolls' Boomerang. At the time nobody batted an eyelid at such sponsorship by a cigarette company. It was 'on-trend.' Now such a public association would be ridiculous.

The GAA followed its move to stop alcohol sponsorship by doing the same with gambling firms. You can argue its sponsorship options are more plentiful than racing's but the move reflects both a determination to take the initiative and an awareness that public perception is important and valuable when it comes to sport.

So much of racing is sold as another component to a vast global gambling industry. And for owners, trainers, racecourses and many other elements of the game it's paying off in spades. But is racing doing itself any favours by so enthusiastically opting for short-term gain as betting fodder while neglecting to promote itself on its own intrinsic sporting merits.

With so much being generated it's easy to forget that the long-term health of any sport is ultimately in how appealing it is to the public in its own terms. Gambling has always been part of racing's pull but it's getting to the stage where it's hard to know who's the tail and who's the dog. And that's not good for the sport.

For its own sake racing has to do a much better job of selling itself for itself, not as another slot in the gambling machine, no matter how remunerative it might be at the moment. Because trends change. So do attitudes. And being resolutely identified with a health warning is no good look.

The look of the Curragh now is massively better compared to the glorified building site it was in 2017. Then much of the work was about destruction; now evidence of construction is obvious. Also obvious is the shape of how much of the area behind the grandstand will look once the project is completed. It promises to be very impressive.

Reaction appeared to be generally positive for the first two of the Curragh's 18 fixtures this year and that's welcome considering last year's widespread negativity.

At least one issue off the table this year is the 6,000 on-site attendance limit that made the decision to stage both the Derby and Champions Weekend at HQ in 2017 so controversial. There are no restrictions reported for 2018.

An important challenge when the project is finished in time for the 2019 programme will be to get people through the gates. The new Curragh will have a capacity for 30,000. No one can doubt Irish racing's flagship needed a complete refit. But €72 million will have been a big price to pay if what emerges is an echo chamber for a relative few.

Maybe something will emerge from Thursday's Dante at York to challenge Saxon Warrior at the top of the Derby market but after a busy week of trials the 2,000 Guineas winner's status as most likely Epsom winner looks secure.

Of all the trials Hazapour's Derrinstown victory looked the most significant. There was a lot to like about the way he travelled and then went about his business. He appears a legitimate Derby contender without prodding too many Saxon Warrior supporters into fretting. After all, not too many Derby winners start 16-1 in their prep. Even Wings Of Eagles was 8-1 at Chester last year.

Hazapour was the upside of a topsy-turvy week for Declan McDonogh who is appealing the five day ban he picked up under 'Non-Trier' rules for his ride on Knowing You at Gowran on Wednesday.

Just how open to interpretation these things can be was illustrated by this case as it is possible to feel sympathy for McDonogh and also argue the stewards got it just about right.

For much of the race Knowing You looked to be going nowhere and McDonogh could be seen trying to get her into the race. If she'd then dropped out completely there wouldn't have been a peep. But the filly did run on, even after meeting interference.

McDonogh argued she simply wound up running on past beaten horses. But he hardly appeared to ride at his strongest and the rules require that appearance. Nevertheless many concluded that they regularly see as bad or worse and no action is taken.

Finally, racing across the water is in a sweat at the moment over apparent attempts by some of the British Horseracing Authority board to give chairman Steve Harman the heave-ho. Such political wrangling is usually as boring as it is unattractive but one contribution by the Horseman's Group chairman, Philip Freedman, was noteworthy.

Freedman is unhappy at the BHA board suggesting the matter is solely for them to deal with and has suggested a fundamental review. "Let's get regulation and governance separated so you can have a completely independent regulatory body," he was quoted as saying. So basically the sort of model that's here in Ireland. The model dismissed as redundant by so many not so long ago!