General Chat

[jswinburne1]

What do we think the Morans will do with Zanahiyr and co?

[Istabraq]

On a different topic. Well as a newbie I didn't want to get involved in a flaming row but I can't help thinking that the festival tipping competition encourages picking favourites in all the races since it awards points for 1234 as well as "bonus" points for a the SP for a winner.

Suggestions always welcomed but I
actually think the reverse is true and by awarding the SP equivalent in points for a winner shows this.
The festival always throws up surprise winners at big prices, if someone was clever enough to find one of these 33/1 shots others would need three even money shot winners to have comparable points and last year proved how vulnerable the shorties always are.

ryanh97 any thoughts ?

[ToniC]

What do we think the Morans will do with Zanahiyr and co?

Hearing the bosses Oscar gone Noel Meade hopefully whatever they do will be a temporary thing for Cheltenham with Gordon still pulling the strings so to speak. I like Noel Meade don’t get me wrong but he wouldn’t be one id be trusting to get ready for a big one these days.

[ryanh97]

Suggestions always welcomed but I
actually think the reverse is true and by awarding the SP equivalent in points for a winner shows this.
The festival always throws up surprise winners at big prices, if someone was clever enough to find one of these 33/1 shots others would need three even money shot winners to have comparable points and last year proved how vulnerable the shorties always are.

ryanh97 any thoughts ?

I agree with you Ista but I'm definitely happy to consider Supermaster's suggestions. I'll leave it the way it is this year and then I'll put put a thread over the summer for people's opinions on improvements. It'll help to generate a bit of conversation over those dark summer months

[TheEagleHasLanded]

But can you not see how that would piss Irish folk off, given it’s not even their area of jurisdiction, and the Irish authorities enquiry is still ongoing? It’s an absolutely gross overstep, IMO, and has put a lot of people’s backs up.

He’s admitted it!! So what are they truly going to get out of an enquiry 5 days after the event?

[ToniC]

He’s admitted it!! So what are they truly going to get out of an enquiry 5 days after the event?

Not wanting to drag this on, but since you directly replied to me - I’d imagine they have to select a panel for the hearing, consult legal counsel, review the regulations & previous cases/precedents to see what would be deemed a fair & reasonable punishment, take statements from Gordon & anybody else that was there, take character references and the like from people with knowledge of the yard to see if it was a one of or part of a pattern.

I don’t think 4 days is unreasonable to arrange for a fair & thorough enquiry. It’s not as simple as he’s sat on a horse - hang the bastard.

Think this will continue to be a bit divisive & I’m going to try to not comment further unless I think there’s really something tangible I can add.

[Can't Catch Me]

Hearing the bosses Oscar gone Noel Meade hopefully whatever they do will be a temporary thing for Cheltenham with Gordon still pulling the strings so to speak. I like Noel Meade don’t get me wrong but he wouldn’t be one id be trusting to get ready for a big one these days.

Really?! Bloody hell. That's not the news I was hoping for.

Surprised as thought the Morans would stick with him.

[ToniC]

Really?! Bloody hell. That's not the news I was hoping for.

Surprised as thought the Morans would stick with him.

It’s just a rumour so take it with a pinch of salt but I’ve heard morans to Noel Meade, that’s all I’ve heard and I’d expect (hope) it’s just a contingency for Cheltenham so they’re under his name on the race card. Morans are tied in pretty deep with Gordon and are actually a sponsor of his, I’d be very surprised if they didn’t stick by him in the medium & long term.

[Lobos]

All these owners can transfer them back as quickly as they transfer them out can't they ??

[Can't Catch Me]

It’s just a rumour so take it with a pinch of salt but I’ve heard morans to Noel Meade, that’s all I’ve heard and I’d expect (hope) it’s just a contingency for Cheltenham so they’re under his name on the race card. Morans are tied in pretty deep with Gordon and are actually a sponsor of his, I’d be very surprised if they didn’t stick by him in the medium & long term.

Yes exactly. I know they are close. Would seem odd if they are sticking by him to have made that decision so quickly though. Sure Gordon will be doing whatever he can to make sure his Cheltenham runners travel, even if it means having Busty's name over the door. His stepping back for the short term is likely the only way he will have anything to come back to.

[Middle_Of_March]

I feel genuinely sorry for the stable staff at Gordon's. Imagine looking after a horse like Envoi Allen, taking care of him every day, building up to the festival and looking forward to a bright future, for it all to be taken away. Must be tough on them

I follow the girl who looks after envoi on twitter. Almost every post is her doting on him. Refers to him as ‘my world’. Can’t imagine how she’s feeling right now. Awful for her.

[Can't Catch Me]

All these owners can transfer them back as quickly as they transfer them out can't they ??

Why not hang fire a few days if you are planning on keeping them there?

[Supermaster]

Suggestions always welcomed but I
actually think the reverse is true and by awarding the SP equivalent in points for a winner shows this.
The festival always throws up surprise winners at big prices, if someone was clever enough to find one of these 33/1 shots others would need three even money shot winners to have comparable points and last year proved how vulnerable the shorties always are.

ryanh97 any thoughts ?

Well you could nominate a price like 33/1 and pick horses at that price. You don't know what price a long price winner will be beforehand. That wouldn't have done too well in 2020. Or look at how picking the 2nd/3rd/4th favourite etc would have done. I don't intend to do that as I don't think I need to to make the point, The 2020 results are just one example but the basic principle is shown by the simplified example I used.

[Lobos]

Why not hang fire a few days if you are planning on keeping them there?

Yep. Plenty of time yet. I'd imagine all the prep work is done and the travelling is booked up already so no rush.

[Middle_Of_March]

Davy explained the circumstances and it was accepted he acted out of safety, not cruelty, regardless of how bad it looked, hence only the 4 day ban. The horse was playing up and he gave it a knock to the back of the head to try and get his mind back on the task at hand, which is in the horses interest from a safety point of view. Lots of people will tell you corrective behaviour is a basic part of horsemanship (as other Jockey's like RJ did at the time), and when you consider the physiological implications of horses falling at 35mph, a tap to the back of the head does absolutely nothing - so basically, have a go at Gordon all you want because he deserves it, but please don't drag Davy into this debate with flippant comments like that cause they're just unnecessary. He was punished, a line was drawn, we move on.

That’s undoubtedly the best post on this thread (I’ve just caught up with about 10 pages of it). Well said.