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Captain's Blog - 24th October 2011

The best jump jockey in the business will not be riding over here this week because of the whip rules. Genius!

Yes, Ruby Walsh fell foul of the rules at Aintree on Saturday and thus now faces a 10 day ban if he offends again and quite rightly he is not going to take the risk. Thus as a result of these ridiculous rules we will not be able to watch one of the best jockeys we have ever seen riding over here on a regular basis.

Ruby Walsh
© Racehorse Photos

I cannot express how strongly I feel about these new rules which are destroying our sport and something needs to be done very quickly. Quite simply the number of hits jockeys are allowed to give in a race needs urgent review. Seven in a flat race and eight over jumps is simply not enough!

I am going to leave the topic now, for today at least, before I wind myself up to such an extent that I launch the laptop out of the window.

A day in the Studio for me today covering all the action from Redcar. I will be helping out the guys on course and we will be bringing you eight races in total. It is the usual standard of action and as ever at this track winner finding will be tough but in Paul Morrison we have a man on course who can crack the code! Do join us from 1.00pm.

I am going to cycle to work again today despite a forecast that suggests it may get wet. In truth I do not feel up to it and the car keys are sat in front of me glinting temptingly at me, but I am determined to resist their lure. I need the exercise and I always enjoy it once I get going.

The defeat of Man Utd at Old Trafford by their arch rivals yesterday was unbelievable and it may be the kick in the backside that they need to drive them forward to another Premier league title. We all need a reality check at times and under the guidance of the brilliant Alex Ferguson they will bounce back and I would not be surprised at all if they won the title again. For now though the plaudits must lie with Man City who were sensational on the day and thoroughly deserved their win.

Perhaps this whip business is a reality check for the BHA and they will respond positively just like Alex Ferguson has done to defeat yesterday, but I am not going to hold my breath.

My final thought of the day is who came up with the figures 7 and eight? Why seven, why eight? Mind Boggling!

Today's Selection

3.10 Redcar - True to form