That effectively broke days ago…
The BHA is without a leader. The “heavyweight” Lord Allen will not be throwing that weight around in racing’s ever muddier waters. That particular unedifying passage of play is done and dusted…
I am sure that he took on the role with the best of intentions. But he got more than a couple of things in the wrong order, and then found out that his ultimatums and the intransigence of others were never going to make for happy bedfellows…
In any other sport or business or jurisdiction, the hopelessly flawed governance and judgement that we are subjected to would be considered entirely unacceptable. Because that is what it is – entirely unacceptable….
Where to now ? Who will stick the hand up to take on this particular poisoned chalice ? I doubt that the queue will stretch around many blocks…
And several of the major racecourses and racecourse ownership entities coming up with their own ultimatums and timeframes. Understandable – but the likelihood of further schisms as the “vested” pull hither and thither…
I was at a London pre-Cheltenham Dinner last night – and the collective eye rolling from several wiser folk than me told a tale. We lurch from muddle to muddle, a rudderless ship tossed about on stormy high seas…
Where to now ? Literally no idea. Although I guess we have the Festival to take the mind away from dull governance issues…
The Carbine Club dinner in the OXO Tower. A Cheltenham dinner, but more than a smattering of Flat trainers. I won the panel’s tipping competition last year – by coming up with an odds on second in one of the four Championship races…..??!!
Here’s hoping that Nick Luck, Richard Phillips, Richard Hoiles and I have made a better fist of it this time…
My four – THE NEW LION, IL ÉTAIT TEMPS, KABRAL DU MATHAN and GREY DAWNING…
Richard Hoiles’ “phantom call” calling The Jukebox Man home in the Gold Cup…
All about to happen. All to play for…
A runner later. LILLY LUX (Jack Mitchell) to Kempton. If she settles better…
Elsewhere, racing this week in Doha has been cancelled. We will see what the call is in Bahrain…
A great Champion Chase….
