Tweet

racing news / captain's blog /

Captain's Blog - 25th January 2012

So Paul Struthers is the man to replace Kevin Darley at the PJA. Strange would be my inital thought. Perhaps the PJA wanted someone with real knowledge of how the BHA thinks and operates or perhaps they just wanted a name with boardroom experience rather than experience in the saddle. Time will tell whether this is a good appointment, but I suspect it will also tell us that the new whip rules are now set in stone because with the best will in the world I cannot see the man who helped put the new rules together actively trying to dismantle them simply because he works for a different organisation. He will I suspect make the relationship between the PJA and BHA as cosy as possible and that is probably the real reason he has been appointed. Do not get me wrong he is a very capable operator, but a amost unlikely choice for this job.

I am a man of leisure today which in reality means that I need to do some washing, go to Tesco’s followed by the Laundrette and then cook some tea for tonight. Apart from that I have some time to watch England try to get back on track in the second test against Pakistan. They were an abject failure in the first test in Dubai and certainly need to find some form quickly. In particular the batsmen looked badly out of touch, it will be fascinating to see if in a week they can turn things around. I suspect they will be better, but whether they will be good enough to win and level the series I have my doubts.

Mussleburgh and Kempton will keep us busy today on . I am loathe to get involved at either track given my current form. I am finding winners but not tipping them and those that I do tip up are running poorly. I guess I will come good soon, but soon needs to be just that. I quite fancy Absinthe at Mussleburgh in the 2.40 who was pretty impressive on his hurdling debut at Bangor for Donald McCain. He was quite uselful on the flat when with Walter Swinburn and he just could be a very useful novice. All of this tells you little that is revelatory. He is a restrictive price, indeed he may go off at odds on which is no good to man nor beast, but sometimes when you need a winner an odds on poke will do.

Right I need to find some change for that Laundrette and right a shoping list. All the best for today folks.

Today's Selection

3.20 Lingfield – Manshoor – (3/1 Various Firms)

2.40 Mussleburgh – Absinthe