18th March 2020

Fair Kate did nothing wrong in defeat and was simply beaten by a well handicapped horse. It was a very strange experience racing behind closed doors and one I wish we could all have experienced more of. I am not in agreement with the BHA’s decision to pull stumps and throw everyone under the bus. This is an economical disaster as much as anything else. My understanding is that the ambulances on race tracks are private and the doctors are semi retired if not retired. I have read all sorts of things about behaving responsibly and of course we all have a duty of care towards one another. There were more people in the commons and the super market last night than at Taunton racecourse. I think, the BHA, as always, reacted in a knee jerk fashion and have basically put the industry in a very precarious position. The government have not pulled in those private ambulance firms to aid with the current crisis, we are all adults and capable of washing our hands, self isolating if symptoms arise and taking care of one another in a responsible fashion. Aintree is another matter but in my mind, mid week fixtures should have continued behind closed doors. Of course, Nicky Henderson supports their decision, he couldn’t care less since Cheltenham is over, he doesn’t operate on the margins many of us do.

All we can hope for now is for the weather to improve quickly so the horses can head out for the summer.