Posted on 12 Apr 2010 at 12:11 PM by
markyourcard
Well thank God for Aintree, AP and a truly super 3 days and a fairytale National. Its been so long in coming but finally AP managed to crack one out and after 15 years its little wonder that his emotions exploded everywhere ... if only the Racing For Change guys could bottle it. Whilst the new flat season 'yes folks it has started', continues to fire more blanks than Alex ReId. Aintree highlighted once again just how fantastic horseracing can be if done correctly.
Whilst I don't totally go alone with 'how fitting and richly deserved' the win for Tony is vibe. After all he doesn't have too rougher time out of the sport unlike many other lower rank jockeys trying to make a living riding rubbish day after day. I do feel it was a totally fitting result for the horses owner JP who is certainly the best thing to happen to Jumps racing for a very long time and is clearly a man in love with the game rather than in love with the fame. He simply lets his horses do the talking unlike a number of other 'high profile' jumps owners.
Unfortunately not for the first time the BBC's coverage of the event didn't do the Sport any justice. Now as you'll be aware I do have a problem with racing jouralists/presenter/board members seemingly having their fingers (some right up to their shoulders) in every pie and I do praise the BBC for trying to address this with what is obviously a new recruitment policy/trial for Aintree. But why oh why hold interviews at Butlins ?!!!! Now I know REDCOATS are famed for being able to turn their hand to anything but unfortunately horse racing certainly isn't one of them judged on the BBC's 'woman in the red coat' knowledge of horse racing or obvious lack of it. She plainly knew less about the sport than the RFC board and spent the 3 days desperately seeking a stable lad/lass that fed their horse endless supplies on POLO's !!! Her interviews proved to be less memorble than her name and judged on this years effort I fear and pray its back to Butlins Minehead for her in 2011.
Whilst AP is the ultimate judge on a horse I was bitterly disappointed to read how his judgement in life wasn't so good just hours after his National win. His unlawful antics, using his mobile whilst driving shortly after leaving the course saw him PULLED OVER by the boys in Blue (no not Godolphin) and created copy off the sports pages. This incident certainly doesn't serve the sport or man himself well and whilst the Racing for Change PR guys promised us more non racing media coverage for the stars within our great sport I doubt if this is what they had in mind. Though I did warn you!!!
On reflection perhaps AP did get what he richly deserved this weekend .... not once BUT TWICE!!!
ST