SD's Racing Ramble: Farcical abandonments and a Crack at the Lincoln

Written by: SD Racing Services

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A belated Happy New Year to you, dear reader. Have you enjoyed the abandonments? I haven’t.

The reasons for them having been covered extensively over on our YouTube channel but suffice to say the current situation is unsatisfactory and the power is not where it should lie.

The answer is not which some have suggested on social media, whereby an arbitrary cut off time is implemented for a racecourse to be raceable. It would quadruple, at least, abandonments and is an ill thought out, knee-jerk reaction to a complex problem. Oversimplified nonsense, frankly.

One consequence of abandonments is the phenomenon of rescheduling races. There really is no need to do so. The horse population is more inflated than Denise’s bank balance and collateral damage at this time of year helps races hold up.

At Windsor on Sunday, we had a triumvirate of contenders for the Hampton Novice Chase, rescheduled from Warwick. I’m sure these three could have had other races than this. Meanwhile, only eight turned up for the Veterans Chase at Market Rasen, rescheduled on the second attempt. Again, better opportunities lie elsewhere.

Perhaps the award for the most farcical abandonment goes to the Sussex National at Plumpton. Originally scheduled for a Sunday, it’s now going to be run on a mundane Monday. Sandwiched in a glut of staying chases — notably 3m4f at Windsor just gone and the Surrey National at Lingfield — it’s rescheduling is nothing apart from a monstrous imposition on the programme book.

The solution is simple, though needs to be more nuanced than simply saying ‘no rescheduling’.

Any grade 1 or grade 2, or a race worth than more £100,000, can be rescheduled. Scrap the rest. Encourage competition, competitive races and realise there’s a bit of slack in the programme book.

Trainers will of course disagree, but their job is to win as many races as possible. It would help the great game.

The Sussex National, set to take place at Plumpton Racecourse, was recently abandoned. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Crack has a shot

The Lincoln entries came out this week, and it’s always a thoroughly competitive affair.

Whilst I will wait until nearer the time , Crack Shot is majorly interesting for the Kubler’s.

Astro King is a notable example of claiming a big pot after being at a good yard before for them and this could be a carbon copy.

A winner first time up last year on 2,000 Guineas day when looking destined for better things, matters didn’t really work out in the care of Ed Walker, where his form soured throughout the season.

He smacks of a horse who could be freshened up and has now returned to his last winning rating. It is worth bearing in mind that his five nearest pursuers at Newmarket are not currently rated lower than there.

A final note

Of all the things that happened last year, every last one was dwarfed into insignificance with what happened to John Hunt’s loved ones.

John is the most wonderful, warm and gracious person. His first reaction when I saw him in December, he was at pains to ask how I was doing. On the day that a pathetic evil being pleaded guilty to the most heinous things imaginable, John called them home at Kempton Park.

I am in awe of his courage and dignity and racing sends him enormous best wishes and love.

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