Racing UK

Tanya Stevenson

Tanya’s Blog - The whip rules have been changed again!

22 February 2012

I despair, the whip rules changed once more and in my opinion with the only objective to keep the Cheltenham Festival ‘applecart’ steady.  A rushed set of new regulations fobbed off on us giving wonderment to why the whip rules were ever changed in the first place.  It doesn’t seem much thought was given to these new regulations other than writing bullet points on the back of a serviette in the BHA canteen.  Pity the stewards who have to give discretion and consistently across the country.  More column inches and minutes of broadcasting monopolised by this matter, rather than concentrating on the intricacies of the sport itself, such as the horses and the races! 


Plus those in authority should be taking note of matters such as Changing Lanes, who struggled yesterday after being heavily backed to at Southwell, a short-priced favourite yesterday at Taunton he reverted to type and finished at tailed off 9th.  He started evens, backed this time by onlookers with a train of thought that a retention of form for at least one run.  Instead it drives the sports customers away as form can’t be relied upon.


At least I have the Kiwis v South Africa T20 match on to cheer me up, they play to rules with precision and clarity which participants and those watching all understand.  Plus Jessie Ryder is batting, love it.  Brendan McCullum is complimenting him at the other end of the crease and it adds to the fun.
Weren’t the Brits good last night, that’s if you like that sort of thing.  My highlight Chris Martin playing the piano for Noel Gallagher’s Highflying Birds, brilliant, don’t think the director for ITV or the camera man could believe it. 


Pancakes last night were delicious had them with lemon, blueberries and chocolate, lucky it only comes round once a year!


Being a huge fan of Fire Fighter looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival I need BLACK POND to put in a big run in Doncaster’s 1.55 this afternoon.  However it is a really strong line-up but at least the trainer is in excellent form. 


James Ewart has an excellent record over the bigger obstacles at Doncaster and his AIKMAN was a talented hurdler, his transition to chasing hasn’t been the best but on a sounder surface he may improve to somewhere like his hurdle form.


CAPTAIN BROWN is one to keep an eye on in Ludlow’s 1.35, an ex-inmate of Sir Mark Prescott’s stable he didn’t cover himself with glory on his hurdling debut but I suspect there could be improvement as he hasn’t been seen for 151 days.

POINTERS
Nicky Henderson has had three winners from his five runners in Ludlow’s 1.35


Richard Hannon has won with both his runners in Lingfield’s 2.50


Three of the four favourites have won Lingfield’s 3.20


Nicky Henderson has won Doncaster’s 1.55 twice from three attempts


James Ewart has won with four of his seven Doncaster chasers


Mark Johnston has had three winners from his last seven Kempton runners


Paddy Brennan and Tom George have teamed up for three winners and four seconds  from their last 12 runners

Comments

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ok Tanya i have got a challenge for you!,Fitzy has given his four for the festival, how about challenging him? who is the best tipster…..............James Ahern

james ahern | 2 months ago

You are spot on Tanya about the whip stuff , and the Changing Lanes “form” !.....is it always right to celebrate these landed gambles ?

Adrian Buttery | 2 months ago