suleka varma, arc & kinross

​I start with news about the Grand National ahead of the Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe as to me it is a far more important race. First, I must get my apology in, if indeed an apology is required, to the present clerk of the course at Aintree, Suleka Varma. If she is pregnant and her leave of absence during the Grand National meeting will be unavoidable, my comments here will be inappropriate. But, knowing very little about such matters, though aware of the nine-month gestation period, it would seem to be only even-money that two-months into the event she can be certain of an April birth. So, if you are pregnant or there is another perfectly acceptable reason for going on leave during the most important three-days of Aintree’s year, I apologise.
That said, it is extraordinary that she would be absent for one of sports most famous events and, sadly, according to the ignorant, one of the world’s most infamous sporting events. Given her hand is on most of the controversial changes to the race in the history of Aintree, with hints from Nevin Truesdale that more alterations are in the pipeline, it might be thought cowardly off her to take her hand off the tiller at a time when the captain is most needed.
Of course, in announcing that the Jockey Club were parashooting John Pullin into the position of race-day clerk of the course at Aintree, no reason was attached to the statement as to why Ms. Varma would be absenting herself. I hope this is not a case of a troubleshooter brought in to do the dastardly deeds the board members of the company were unwilling to be associated with themselves, only for the blueprint provider to then sidle off to commit similarly dastardly deeds elsewhere. To me, an ultra-critic of the latest round of knife attacks on the great race, it leaves a bad taste at the back of the throat as if anything occurs in April that warrants criticism it will have to be directed to John Pullin, a good man in my books, and not the woman whose hand holds the knife that has cut the cord between the Grand National whose last winner was Corach Rambler and the tepid National won in its inaugural year by I Am Maximus.

As Matt Chapman argued, four-year-old mares do not win the Vermeille and go on to win the Arc. He scoffed at the ever-reliable Adele Mulrennan when she put up Bluestocking as a likely winner of the Arc, using his loud voice and statistics to drown the woman with good sense on her side. I would like to think Matt will learn, though there is no evidence or form to suggest it is likely. Adele is simply the best tipster on the I.T.V. team.
What I found enjoyable about yesterday’s Arc was the appreciation and lack of self-importance from a jockey I am increasingly appreciating as a jockey and liking as a person. Rossa Ryan rode the perfect race for his horse and after saluting the crowd, he notably pointing to his mount, ensuring we knew that without her the jockey would not be noticeable. 
It was also pleasing to see Ralph Beckett step onto the world stage as a trainer. I like him because he speaks his mind, the greatest of qualities, I believe. I may not agree with every opinion or idea he has but I hope he carries on being vocal, as in racing too many people clam-up in times of need.
I usually will say that the good horses should always be kept in training as long as possible but in Bluestocking I hope Juddmonte say enough is enough and retire her to their band of broodmares and not be persuaded to take her to the Bleeders Cup.
Staying with the Beckett horses: I cannot understand why Marc Chan would even be considering retiring Kinross. Why would you retire a horse who clearly loves being a racehorse. It is not as if he is still an entire. He is a gelding, no horse runs with more enthusiasm, his trainer only runs him when the opportunity is there to win, he is obviously not regressing and as far as I am aware Kinross has no injury problems. What would they do with him in retirement? Mr. Chan might enjoy looking at him in the paddock and offering a carrot when time allows but is that the life Kinross would want for himself?