Gordon Elliott affair has hurt but the whip causes more damage
The banned trainer s actions have tarnished racing s image yet striking horses is a more serious threat to the sport
Can racing recover from the damage done to its public image?
Credit: Getty Images
But later in the week the mood changed and there was anger that the destruction of his career was not only disproportionate but also constituted mental bullying. Especially as the photo had clearly been released as a vengeful act of calculated personal sabotage.
That initial outrage was understandable. The photograph was disrespectful to the horse and it deeply damaged the reputation of racing, even though there was no cruelty what so ever to any animal.
Horse racing tips: Warwick 2.20
AMARILLO SKY is fancied to improve his lot here for the Colin Tizzard yard on his handicap bow in this 2m hurdle. The Dorset handler found his team were under something of a cloud through the midwinter period but that period of woe is now easing and a promising spring ahead looks likely.
A point-to-point winner in Ireland last March for Colin Bowe, Amarillo Sky acquitted himself fairly well in strong races at Newbury and Ascot in November on good/soft ground. He finished fourth in the second of those behind ultra-impressive Metier, a Grade 1 winner next time out who is now bound for the Supreme Novicesâ Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.
All of the headlines will be about Al Boum Photo as he looks to achieve a remarkable hat-trick. But the Cheltenham Gold Cup, such as it is, boasts far more stories amongst its high-class field than that one. A fascinating edition of the renewal on March 19 will have plenty of twists and turns as it plots its way around the famous New Course.
It will be Al Boum Photo, looking to become the first horse since the incomparable Best Mate to win three consecutive editions of the flagship race, that will go off as the favourite in the Gold Cup odds from Betfair, and his record in this renewal is such that his short price cannot be questioned.
And our racing columnist earmarks one Cheltenham fancy. Johnny Ward By Johnny Ward Wednesday 27 Jan 2021, 11:09 AM Jan 27th 2021, 11:09 AM 2,021 Views 3 Comments
A general view of the stands at Tramore.
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
IF, INDEED, NO such thing exists as bad publicity, Irish racing will be beyond chuffed with itself over the past week.
Thanks to Viking Hoard, or rather the rotten human being who loaded him with sedatives, racing has hoarded the headlines. The sickening revelations, such as they are, have kept the sport of Kings (and rogues) in the headlines in unexpected places.
Paul Kimmage and Eamonn Sweeney did their bit in the Sunday Independent three days ago, when David Walsh again went after integrity issues in the sport in the Sunday Times, before Malachy Clerkin
Atkinsonâs fromthehorsesmouth.info 7 winners 662-1 accumulator â £7,648 Super Heinz
Andrew Atkinson fromthehorsesmouth.info racing correspondent followed up Kempton Park’s 4-horse 100-1 winning accumulator on January 9, with a 42-1 4-horse accumulator at Warwick on January 16 with Will String (7-2), Sky Pirate (6-4), Next Destination (10-11) and Gold Bullion (evens).
Atkinson’s fromthehorsesmouth.info seven winners on Saturday returned a 662-1 accumulator – that paid £7,648 in a Super Heinz bet.
Ascot’s December meeting heralded a 357-1 fromthehorsesmouth.info treble, with 10-1, 9-4 and 10-1 winning tips.
With Kempton Park’s 25-1 tip Monte Cristo a bookies KO on Boxing Day! Be on a winner – First Past The Winning Post – fromthehorsesmouth.info