Timeform Debate 
/ Jamie Lynch / 23 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
The scenes at last year's Festival
"It's a far cry from Britain where, this week, Gloucestershire Police hailed the Cheltenham Festival as a success after there were 'only' 24 arrests on the racecourse."
It's a big day for Lingfield and a big week for Timeform's Dubai expert, as explained by a green-eyed Jamie Lynch....
My friend and colleague Stephen Molyneux (Mollo) is flying off to Dubai next week to cover the World Cup meeting for Timeform. How he managed to clear the fit and proper person checks is a mystery of similar proportions to The Giant Bolster leading at the last in a Gold Cup, though my pointed jealousy is soothed by the knowledge that it will be all work and little or no play, not so much because that's the sort of guy Mollo is, but more because that's the sort of businesslike place Dubai is.
You'll be able to read here on betting.betfair, or maybe hear on Timeform radio, or maybe see on CNN, all of Mollo's views and a percentage of his adventures during the week, and it will all go like clockwork, free of incident and transgression, as we've thoroughly researched the procedures and protocols: the dos and don'ts of Dubai. Basically, Mollo will be fine and able to report for duty so long as he doesn't walk the streets bare-chested, indulge in a public display of affection, secretly photograph the locals, cross dress, get drunk in a public place, or make an obscene gesture.
Simple. Simple and admirable. It's a far cry from Britain where, I'm sad to say, I've been in bars where prizes are handed out for all of the above. It's a far cry from Britain where, this week, Gloucestershire Police hailed the Cheltenham Festival as a success after there were 'only' 24 arrests on the racecourse. It's a far cry from Britain where, even in stockbroker belt Surrey, a special committee was set up last month because anti-social behaviour had got so bad in Lingfield. In Lingfield!
What was once leafy Lingfield has now become lawless Lingfield. The East Grinstead Courier reported that - and this is absolutely true, word for word - 'a Scout hut has been daubed with graffiti and youngsters have been drinking in Jenner's Field.' Never fear, though, as Lingfield has its own Robocop in the shape of task-force leader PC Barry Reece. Outlining his objectives, Barry said - and again this is absolutely true, word for word - 'we have a list of people who could be responsible for these crimes; if we catch whoever is causing the problems, we have a lot of options, including delivering letters to their parents by hand.'
Does Martin Scorsese know about this ganglands story?
Forget Dubai, the dos and don'ts of going to Lingfield on Saturday are all the more consequential: do take a flak jacket and don't take the Vicarage Road route past Jenner's Field. But if you can get past the tipsy teenagers and Kate Adie then you're in for a treat, because it's a brilliant card, featuring some proper horses and top riders, on a day that's becoming a seminal point in the racing calendar: goodbye jumps and tweed, hello linen and speed.
For so long the Paul Ross to turf racing's Jonathan Ross, the all-weather now has a big day all to itself, and this year's is bigger and better than ever. Adam Brookes has already done us an in-depth preview to the main event, the Winter Derby, but the undercard of two listed races are just as high on quality and competition.
When he's not analysing the Dubai form or hastily unpacking his speedos, camera, miniskirt and chest wig, Stephen Molyneux is one of our principal handicappers, specialising in sprinters, and he has promised me that Medicean Man will run a huge race in the Hever Sprint Stakes at 14:55. It's easy to see the positives.
Medicean Man has done some of his best work when fresh and on polytrack, admittedly tried only at Wolverhampton so far, but Lingfield should suit him equally well and, moreover, this specific race is likely to play out ideally for his latecoming style. A field including Bajan Tryst, Even Stevens, Fratellino and Noble Storm means they're bound to go quick, and the faster the pace the better for Medicean Man, who has generally improved right through his career. Oasis Dancer is the danger and probable favourite, but he has a penalty for winning a lesser listed event last month, and this will be his first ever go at five furlongs.
Given the crime-culture story currently surrounding Lingfield, Scarface would be an appropriate runner on the day. While we don't have a Scarface, we do have a Gatepost, who carries a hefty scar on his off-hind following an altercation with the very thing after which he's named. He lost his way later last season but started it with a bang, winning his first two starts prior to shaping second-best behind Power in the Coventry at Royal Ascot. That form puts him in with a big chance in the Spring Cup at 14:25, and I'm hoping that the winter absence will have reinvigorated him - the fact Gatepost is still in the 2000 Guineas suggests that Mick Channon (who's already had eight winners this year) retains plenty of faith in him.
If Medicean Man and Gatepost both win, I can celebrate by swigging champagne in the streets half-naked while attempting to cop off with various women as they hurry by, all completely legal and above board. Think about that, Mollo, as you take off in first class on Tuesday morning.
..............
Racehorses of 2011 is out now and contains essays on the top performers, over 300 photos, Timeform Top 100s and much more. Click HERE to secure your copy.
With just a week until the British Flat Turf season gets underway, Timeform look ahead to a weekend of racing that includes the Group 3 Winter Derby on the all-weather......
The news, released on Wednesday March 21, that the majority of racing in the 2012 QIPCO British Champion Series is to be covered by sectional timing deserves to be well received by anyone who wishes to see British racing playing a prominent role on the world stage......
It is said that there are few certainties in life other than death and taxes. After a hectic Cheltenham Festival, jumps handicapper Phil Turner can add a few more to that list- whichever lane you change into during a motorway traffic jam immediately becomes the slowest, there are far more lows than highs when you're a lifelong Evertonian and, of course, Big Buck's will continue to remain unbeaten over hurdles.........
No comments:
Post a Comment