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Captain's Blog - Tuesday 20th March 2012

Isdaal went in for us yesterday at 3/1 which to be honest was as sweet as any winner at Cheltenham. I know a Cheltenham winner brings with it bragging rights and all that sort of nonsense, but ever since I have been involved in this game a 3/1 winner is a 3/1 winner whatever the venue and this will be the case for ever more. It is only our egos that make us want to back the winners of big races at big meetings and there is no place for an ego when it comes to punting. It's divisive nature will always bring you down.

I wrote some time ago about the importance of jockeys when it comes to having a bet and after seeing a jockey give a horse I backed at Kempton yesterday a three wide, no cover shocker on the tight inner track at kempton yesterday I am even more convinced that having the right man on board is as crucial a factor as the trip or ground the horse is running over, in fact it may be even more important. So often we hear people analysing a horse's chance in a race based on tired old concepts, when just perhaps we should be asking whether the jockey is good enough to win on the horse, because without a positive answer to that there is no need to bother yourself with any other aspect of form study. The phrase any jockey could win on that is a complete nonsense because even if the horse had a stone in hand the potential for human error particularly in the judgement of pace is high. Jockeys matter and some matter a lot more than others.

I am typing this blog on Monday night as the simple truth is I will get no time on Tuesday morning to get the job done. I will be busy reading In the Night Garden books with my daughter and hopefully getting her outside to enjoy some spring sunshine. I love this time of year and spending as much time as we can outside is the way to go, after all who needs to be inside when you have a pink scuttlebug to shoot around on all day.

It would seem that Kauto Star may not retire after all. The way I read it the Nicholls team are contemplating at least one more race, probably the Betfair Chase at Haydock next season. Lets hope that they get the decision right. I leave it at that.

OK, time to bring this to a halt for another day.

Enjoy the sun.

Today’s Selection

2.40 Kempton – Royal Etiquette