A WIN FOR THE BLACK MARKETS & LOVE FOR KEMPTON PARK.

Hate, as with the word genius, is one of the most overused and misappropriated words in the English language, so I will modify my emotion to 'dislike' the type of day when the subject matter that dominates the pages of The Racing Post is either political with a capital P or just plain bad news for the sport. Today politics with a capital P combines with plain bad news to make the start of my day one of annoyance and frustration.

The Gambling Commission has carried out the Devil's work and imposed affordability checks on punters to the tune of £5,000 net deposit in a rolling period of 24-hours for over 25's and £2,500 for under 25's net deposit in a rolling period of 24-hours. That is only stage 1, though, and I suggest you research the subject further to learn about the Interim Stage and the Final Stage. The age of Big Brother is truly here and all of you who voted Labour at the last General Election should weep in shame at your choice then and reflect on the best political party to start the process of getting us out of this mess.

Apart from the financial hurt to the horse racing and the thoroughbred industry which will come from the Gambling Commission's decision to support the bookmaking black market, I have no direct connection with affordability checks as I do not bet or gamble. That is not to say that I have any problem with people who do bet or gamble - I see a distinct difference between the two - and if people want to use a proportion of their disposable income in this way it is not my place, or anyone's else's place to wag a finger in their faces. If I were a wealthy man and not a pensioner with little disposable income, I too would take part in trying to solve the puzzle that is a horse race. I would never gamble hundreds of pounds in a single bet as there is too much of the Scrooge in me to be that carefree with my money but I would perhaps bet on a daily basis, not to win big but simply for being involved and supporting this wonderful sport and industry.

On a slightly happier note, not that there is cause for any joy, the debate on the fate of Kempton Park in the Grand Committee room of Westminster Hall was well intended, though with empty chairs, of which 15 of the attendees were sitting M.P.'s. Lincoln Jopp, M.P. for Spelthorne, of which the racecourse is a large part, reminded his audience of the importance of Kempton Park to the local inhabitants and ecomony, read aloud a transcript of the finish of last season' King George, of its history and the key part it plays in the racing industry. With the only detractor being a Green M.P. who must have been briefed about the death of Gold Dancer at Aintree last season, though no one thought to ask him if he had sent his condolences to the connections of the horse, especially the groom. Green Party members are in the main cold-hearted individuals with an agenda that is largely ante-people. How they must have cheered when they heard of another equine fatality.

I still believe houses or 'dwellings' will be built on the site, though I hope the development will be similar to that at Newbury, with the racecourse saved and the green and diverse habitat that flows down to The Thames left to flourish. 2,000-homes will not be granted planning permission nor, as I suggested recently, 1,000. But a compromise will be reached, and there is a little bit of me that hopes the to reach this compromise the wll-weather track will be sacrificed. But not the sacred earth where Desert Orchid's ashes lay.