ALL-WEATHER SURFACES, 'THE ASCOT YOU', RUNNING LOOSE & REASON TO FEAR.

I have long wondered if the modern-day gallops used by trainers to bring to fitness the horses under their care could be the cause of the minor viral infections found in the lungs and airways of horses after trachea washes or endoscopic examinations. In general, I believe, all-weather surfaces are not watered and it is a fact that gallops composed of wood-bark, wood-chippings, synthetic surfaces made up of chopped-up rubber or carpet, perhaps even sand, deterorate over time and as each individual part breaks down dust, in one form or another, must be the result. Apart from the lead horse, is it possible that every other horse is liable to be breathing in these microscopic dust particles?

I pose the question as I do not believe that in the days when horses were extensively trained on grass there were fewer reports of respiratory conditions being given by trainers for disappointing results. Of course, back then trachea washes were uncommon and endoscopes were equally rare in the veterinary profession. Yet whenever I see horses on all-weather gallops, especially in hot weather, and witness the dust-cloud rising from their hooves, it is easy to believes some of that dust is entering their mouths or nostrils. Perhaps studies have already proved my fears incorrect; perhaps I should conduct research on the internet myself. Of course, no trainer outside of the amatear ranks, trains solely on grass anymore, so a comparative study would be difficult to organise. So I will continue to wonder and hope that an equine research centre will one day decide to give the matter some thought.

Apparently, Ascot was advertising the upcoming Royal Meeting on the London tube network using the slogan 'The Ascot You'. Yet having watched the latest 'Running Loose' podcast it has come to light that some men attending Royal Ascot were refused admission to the Royal Enclosures due to wearing the wrong coloured socks! Yes, these unfortunate and perhaps diehard rascals were ushered to a private room and offered a plain pair of black socks of no doubt the permitted thread and weave. Peter Scudamore was similarly summoned for wearing the wrong coloured shoes. Somebody needs to call this absurdity out for what it is. There is no place for this nonsense on a British racecourse, even one owned by the King. If I were to be told I was wearing the wrong coloured socks, I would make a scene about it and insist of being thrown bodily out of the main gates.

The above information was relayed by the excellent 'Running Loose' podcast fronted by Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryles. The podcast is funny, enlightening, entertaining, with neither of the hosts having much in the way of a filter on their thoughts and opinions. I heartily urge anyone who has wandered on to this site to watch back episodes of the podcast and then to subscribe in order to keep the show on the road. Warning, they live different lives to you or me, though on the other hand they do not take themselves too seriously.

Francesca agrees with my thoughts on the St. James's Palace Stakes as to why Aidan O'Brien was not on the charge-sheet alongside Christophe Soumillon. She even read from the B.H.A. rule-book regarding team tactics and clearly Aidan should have been charged for inciting the tactics used by Soumillon. As they pointed out, the rule is so open to intrepretation to make it a Pandora's Box of confusion and debate. As with the non-runner nonsense highlighted at Epsom, this is another rule that needs to be amended or perhaps erased altogether. The only way to truly outlaw team tactics would be to allow a trainer or owner to be allowed to run one horse in any one race.

The Plaid Cymru leader Ap Iorwerth (I have taken his name from The Racing Post, though I am pretty sure it is not complete - not that I care as he is a shite of a man worthy of something more than a kick up the arse) refused to answer whether he was in favour of banning National Hunt racing in Wales. His silence suggested he was in favour but did not know if there was support for his view in the Senedd. He is head of the Welsh government, the first non-Labour politician to hold the position.

These people must be enlightened on how many people rely on horseracing for their living and how much the industry is worth to the Welsh economy. Banning greyhound racing in Walsh will not  effect the money in the Welsh coffers by more than a few quid. To ban National Hunt racing would leave a gap of millions of pounds in their exchequer. Chepstow and Ffos Las could survive as they are dual-purpose racecourses but not Bangor. Yet the biggest crowds the first two draw are during the National Hunt season so it is fair to suggest that both Chepstow and Ffos Las could close if this terrible crime against free choice was implemented.