Whipping Up A Storm

***Hunterview a non-runner at Newton Abbot this afternoon in the 3.20pm race***

I see that the RSPCA are bidding to ban the use of the whip in the forehand position.  On the one hand you have moaning John McCririck telling anyone who will listen to ban the whip, while last Saturday the Morning Line featured former champion jockey Kevin Darley who was in favour of the whip.  Personally, I know who I would take more notice of.  Having watched the Punchestown Festival recently, it ocurred to me that almost every outcome would probably have been different if they jockeys had not been allowed to use their sticks.  If a horse will only respond to the whip, then what does that owner do with the horse if the whip is banned?  If you ban the whip, you will probably see a decrease in the number of horses in training and consequently there will be fewer people to talk (or rant!) about racing.

Personally, I think that John McCririck would do well to remember that it is racing that pays his wages.  The stick needs to be kept and used in moderation...when will people see sense?

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I have some more photographs from the gallops last week to share with you.  This time we have Very Cool (half brother to last week's winning bumper horse Barney Cool) working in company with Hunterview (unfortunately a non-runner at Newton Abbot this afternoon), as well as our improving five year old E Street Boy who won four times within the space of a fortnight at the end of last season.

  
Above left: (l-r) Very Cool and Hunterview and right: E Street Boy on the gallops

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Well, sadly the inevitable happened at the weekend and West Ham were relegated from the Premiership after losing to Wigan.  Consequently manager Avram Grant received the boot - there is obviously a huge blame culture in football (unsurprising given the amount of money involved) but how can it be all the manager's fault?  It was the board of directors who appointed him - maybe they should give themselves the sack and we can appoint some new directors!  My first text was from head lad Eddie giving me some stick about the Hammers relegation (perhaps I shouldn't give him so much aggro about Man Utd?!).  Apparently Steve McLaren is favourite to take over...please NO!  We need someone with passion for the game, like an O'Neill.  Worrying times indeed for us Hammers supporters.