Information is imminent of an upcoming run for Lady De Vega, but here are two bits of fantastic news.

First, Braqueur d'Or should run next Wednesday at Ludlow.

Second, 2000 of us will be able to pay to get into the track and watch.

Real people are back.

                                                     

                                               Take Your Partners, Please

 

DancingOnTheEdge's Video (& her soundtrack!)

DancingOnTheEdge is so filled with potential that the whole of Ditcheat is talking of little else. Paul Nicholls loves nothing more than an unraced filly he can take his time with.

Shares are on sale now.

Become an owner

                                                     

                                              Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

At Hexham recently the Phil Kirby trained Bushy Park was backed from 16/1 to 7/4, and won.

Certain cynical eyebrows were raised but Robin Mounsey, Head of Media at the BHA, explained to the Gazette that there is no problem with a yard holding knowledge, for example that a horse is likely to run better than its previous form might suggest, then keeping the knowledge private, or sharing it with a select few, and betting, even plunging, on the strength of it.

In this case the stewards sought an explanation of the improved form, got one, and 'noted' it.

Talking horses are on the whole appreciated by punters.

They may not know why it's being backed but are in receipt of the valuable information that someone thinks it will win and are wiser than they were before.

They can bet or not bet accordingly.

There is a problem with the authorities only if it is suspected that the potential of the horse has been dishonestly concealed or artificially enhanced.

Bushy Park was tested after the race, and Mounsey confirmed it was common practice, in a case of this kind, to revisit recordings of earlier races to check if there was any evidence, missed by the stewards on the day, that the horse had been prevented from running on its merits.

If no drugs colour the paper and nothing conclusive shows on the videos that's the end of the matter.

A successful coup is a vivid and legitimate part of racing.

The connections of Bushy Park have been accused of nothing and found guilty of nothing.

Until that changes they are innocent.

Congratulations to Phil Kirby, jockey Thomas Dowson, and all involved.

A curious intervention, reported in The Guardian and The Racing Post, was then made by The Horeseracing Bettors Forum, a voluntary organisation.

It urged the BHA to 'investigate'.

It was odd because there was no suggestion the BHA wasn't doing so.

Although the Integrity department at the authority has a policy of not confirming or denying any enquiry until such time as it considers there is a case to answer, the stewards had not been entirely happy (they didn't 'accept' the explanation) and this had been reported.

There was every reason to assume the BHA were looking closely.

The Gazette asked the HBF if it had further information to justify casting public doubt on the integrity of the professionals involved in the preparation and running of Bushy Park.

Or did it have grounds for feeling the BHA was half-hearted or even incompetent in the way it was approaching the matter.

We received a statement ...

As a body representing the interests of the 7m individuals who bet on British horseracing each year, we feel the betting circumstances of the horse's past and current performances require investigation alongside any running and riding questions posed by the stewards on the day, in order that the public can be assured that nothing untoward has taken place. Stewards on the day are not able to consider all the implications of betting activity, which is a job for the BHA's Integrity Department. By asking that this be done, we seek to ensure that this due process is indeed followed. HBF raises many such cases with BHA each year without taking a position on the rights or wrongs involved.

It transpired that the HBF had no inside information, or none it admitted to, and no problem with the BHA or the stable.

One of the reasons the authority keep enquiries private is to avoid smearing those who might have done something wrong but who might also be blameless.

Probably the HBF made an error by speaking to the press as it did.

                                                     

                                                         Cropredy Dawn

There was some reluctant paleness in the sky to mitigate the blackness, but a locked down Banbury station at 7.00 on a November morning felt bleak. It was cold and wet.

There was wind. Paul Webber's yard, Cropredy Lawn, currently housing Lady de Vega, Braqueur d'Or, plus forty or so others, was a few minutes away.

Why, thought the Gazette, shivering to itself, did we ever think this was a good idea?

Why are we here?

The answer to the latter was simple.

Old Gold Racing customers are entitled to apply for one stable visit per annum - it's part of the deal.

For Hancockian reasons, we had been unable to deliver.

It was decided, after a suggestion from new signing Julia Petruzzelli, that, this year, the mountain would go to Mohammed - the stable would visit the client.

Thus, with a crew from The Cotswold Film Company, we were all present.

Francesca Cumani, of whom more in a moment, Ed the boss, Julia, public-relations svengali Hannah Walker, jumping guru Yogi Breisner, plus sponsors Will Woodhams, CEO of Fitzdares the bookies and Vanessa and Rupert Fairfax, of Fairfax Saddlery, whose scientifically redesigned saddles and bridles seem to do so much to free up Braq's movement and action.

Co-founder James Day, not known for his love of the bracing elements, was left to prowl the Shipston fort.

Cropredy was a hive.

Staff moved with good humoured purpose, badinage with the crew and us not delaying them.

Everyone knew what to do.

In the ghastly weather, wearing no more than one extra layer, they all looked happy.

No-one so much as rubbed their hands together. Paul Webber, 62, gets up at 5.45 to feed the horses.

He is slim, fit and gentle-voiced.

With wife Ku he manages to 'steal away for a couple of nights' maybe three times a year.

Hannah had done the planning.

Will was to hoist his frame onto an amenable horse, then, under the tutelage of Francesca, jump some poles.

You will see him screaming 'I am the pilot not the passenger'.

Francesca herself was due to school Braqueur d'Or, and Yogi to offer his detailed wisdom in the indoor arena.

Paul and his staff would be interviewed at appropriate moments.

Anyone who has ever been close to an outside broadcast knows that the filming schedule is a piece of well meaning fiction.

Finish times are inserted more in hope than expectation.

Hannah's quiet but firm presence brilliantly got our work done ten minutes early.

But she did have some help.

That Francesca might accurately be described as 'one-take-Cumani' should not mislead.

There was nothing second rate about the ease with which she, and therefore we, sailed through the scenes.

Her first go worked each time; it was effortless, funny and good.

Francesca just chatted to people, who relaxed and chatted back.

Never has a star, for so she is, been more generously anonymous.

Because of her, we were in the socially distanced warm before 1.00 pm.

The results of our labours will be streamed and premiered live on the evening of 9th December, the night of Old Gold Racing's first birthday.

Paul Webber's Cropredy Lawn is an inspiring place.

By the time we had flutes in our hands sharp sunshine had replaced the black, threatening clouds, and the serene beauty of the setting was revealed.

Like John-Paul Jones, the Gazette will return.

In the summer.

                                                       

                                                     Curiouser and Curiouser

 

                                             

An odd post-lockdown anomaly applies to SPs.

Since June, starting prices have been established by referring to off course data, no bookies being on track.

As a result favourites and fancied runners have paid more than 2% less than usual, while longer priced horses are 2% up.

No-one has a clue why. Margins overall haven't changed.

                                             

                                              Lockdown Content 1

Suddenly, last March, there was no racing.

The Gazette was under pressure to be interesting.

Here's an example of stuff we put out...

Read Here

                                                       

                                             Festival Track and Trace

Champion Hurdle

Reflecting on last week's performance, punters have backed Jason The Militant, to 25/1 from 28s. Song For Someone won a 3-horse contest at Ascot on Saturday, at 11/4, and is now quoted at 33s.

Champion Chase

Notebook drifted from 5/2 to 7/2 at Naas last Friday, but still had an easy victory. He is 20/1 from 33s. More money for Put The Kettle On means he is now 8/1 from 10/1, and Min is quoted at 25s.

Stayers Hurdle

Main Fact beat a big field at Haydock over 3 miles at the weekend, meaning he is now priced up at 25/1. Disputing favouritism is Sire Du Berlais, in to 7s from 8s. Next Destination is 33/1 from 28/1.

Gold Cup

Presenting Percy is in to 16/1 from 33/1 after cruising to a comfortable victory at Thurles last Friday, over 2m 6f on soft, and Minella Indo is 8s from 10/1 after a win over 3 miles at Navan. Imperial Aura justified favouritism at Ascot and is quoted at 33/1, along with Delta Work. Lostintranslation is 16/1 from 14s.

                                                     

Under the Radar #5

More tips from our man in the bushes with the binoculars and a hip-flask.

With three winners already, this isn't a feature you'll want to miss...

Read Now

If you have any news items or stories that might interest the Gazette, please contact Paul St John at [email protected]