Thursday, February 20, 2003
GUNTHER MCBRIDE CUT TO 6-1 FOR RACING POST CHASE
Gunther McBride was today trimmed to 6-1 from 7-1 by Coral for Saturday's Racing Post Chase after continued support for the Philip Hobbs trained horse.
In other market moves Rhinestone Cowboy was cut to 2-1 from 5-2 by Coral for the Champion Hurdle as liabilities on the Jonjo O'Neill horse continue to climb.
** Racing Post Chase:
5-1 La Landiere, 6-1 Gunther McBride, 8-1 Maximize, Fondmort, Montreal, 9-1 Exit To Wave, 10-1 Chicuelo, 12-1 Scrahan Cross, Ryalux, Bold Investor, 14-1 Direct Access, Historg, Carbury Cross, 16-1 Zafarabad, Whitenzo, 20-1 Katarino, Red Striker, 25-1 Red Ark, Carryonharry, 33-1 Silence Reigns, 40-1 Northern Starlight,
**Lincoln
8-1 Adiemus, 10-1 Pablo, 12-1 Certain Justice, 16-1 Funfair, Akshar, Nimello, 20-1 Sahaat, Courageous Duke, Incline, Island Light, Jabaar, Lingo, Dumaraan, Golden Chalice, 25-1 Hurricane Floyd, Atlantic Ace, Atlantic Rhapsody, Colisay, Digital, Zucchero, Thihn, Selective, Scottys Future, Private Ben, Pentecost, Norton, Nashaab, Lord Protector, Jewel Of India, International Guest, The Judge, 33-1 Bar
**Grand National
14-1 Ad Hoc, Carbury Cross, Chives, 16-1 Davids Lad, 20-1 Gingembre, Hussard Collonges, Iris Bleu, Mini Sensation, Gunner Welburn, Gunther McBride, 22-1 Shotgun Willy. 25-1 Kingsmark, Ballinclay King, Bindaree, Commanche Court, Youlneverwalkalone, The Bunny Boiler, Southern Star, Supreme Glory, 33-1 Florida Pearl, Cyfor Malta, Foxchapel King, Rince Ri, First Gold, More Than A Stroll, Stormez, Bounce Back, Takagi, Take Control, Blowing Wind, Bobby Grant, Go Roger Go, Katarino, Red Striker, Rith Dubh, Timbera, Whitenzo, Montys Pass, Ardent Scout, Paris Pike, Supreme Glory, Its Himself
TOTE JACKPOT SET TO REACH £100,000
A rollover of £50,384 will start off what could be another big Tote Jackpot day at Warwick after the Southwell card proved too tricky for punters on Thursday.
Over £21,000 was added to the £28,875 rollover from Wednesday, and the Tote expects Friday's pool to grow to around the £100,000 mark.
"Three weeks after the Jackpot broke the £1/2 million mark at Wolverhampton, the bet is again building up a head-of-steam and we could easily be looking at a £100,000 Jackpot on Friday," said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott.
25-1 chance Curragh Gold saw off the remaining lines in leg five of the bet at Southwell, but with a likely 6 figure pot up for grabs, interest in the bet looks sure to be high at Warwick.
Should the Warwick card be abandoned before 8am tomorrow, the Jackpot card will be switched to the all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton
BETDAQ EXPRESSES DISMAY AT LEVY BOARD NON DECISION
The traditional end of the bookmaking spectrum should not seek to build a new 'level playing field' using a broken spirit level
Rob Hartnett, Managing Director, BETDAQ UK, said:
"BETDAQ is dismayed at the non-decision of the Levy Board yesterday, which casts doubt over the ability of on course bookmakers to trade as they see fit with the external marketplace. The major bookmakers, as represented by the Bookmakers' Committee, have consistently sought to muddy the waters of any healthy debate on the impact of betting exchange services, and this is further evidence of such action.
"The betting public is currently enjoying a golden era. This is partly due to the government's far-sighted decision to reform betting duty. It is also partly to do with the emergence of more nimble, high turnover, low margin operators such as those providing betting exchange services. Their emergence was a stated aim of the government and has been excellent for most parties. It has not however, been in the best interests of major bookmakers whose trading operations and higher cost base are reliant on higher profit margins, which must ultimately be paid by the betting public. There is of course room for this service. Betting shops, telephone betting, pictures, multiple betting and many other aspects of the traditional bookmaker service come at a price and there will always be members of the public willing to pay that price.
"It is wrong however, in the extreme, that this margin should be protected at the expense of a free market. The independent members of the Levy Board have recognised this. I have no doubt the Government will continue to do likewise. If low cost operators such as BETDAQ can provide exactly the same service to bettors - the ability to back selections to win; together with greater choice - the ability to trade and to back selections not to win; and furthermore to reduce the mark-up to customers by running a professional, reliable service with a vastly reduced cost base, then this should be encouraged by those whose interests are in free markets, consumer protection and healthy competition among betting service providers.
"On course bookmakers use betting exchange services in many ways. It allows them to create a real profit margin for themselves by 'laying' a wider selection of horses. This as opposed to a higher but only theoretical margin as exists at present. The off course market has always been rightly reflected in the on course one. That it has always been through the action of a limited number of major bookmakers is not inherently wrong. What is absolutely wrong however, is that a more efficient reflection of the off course market, one that is wholly transparent to all, which is now possible via betting exchange services should be prevented.
"This is wrong for on course bookmakers, and very wrong for the betting public. Betting exchange services are here to stay. There is no going back. The traditional end of the bookmaking spectrum should not seek to build a new 'level playing field' using a broken spirit level. It must learn to compete and if necessary cooperate with the new entrants for the good of all. Industries that have sought to see off reputable, well-funded, well regulated competitors merely by protectionist laws, belong to another era. The older segments of the airline industry tried and failed. The bookmaking industry has many talented and shrewd individuals. They should be deploying that talent in a constructive, rather than the present destructive manner as evidenced by the Bookmakers' Committee."
EVALUATION OF NEW RACECOURSE FIXTURE APPLICATIONS IS UNDERWAY
The Committee set up by the BHB Board to consider applications for fixtures for new racecourses met on 17th February for the first time since the closing date for submissions to be made to BHB.
BHB Chief Executive Greg Nichols, Chairman of the New Racecourse Fixtures Committee, commented:
"The Committee gave preliminary consideration to the applications for fixtures for 2004 and agreed on a modus operandi as well as identifying a number of aspects of the applicants' business plans which required further amplification. The full process of evaluating the proposals against the Guidelines circulated to applicants is now underway and, until the Committee's recommendations have been considered by the Board, it is not anticipated that any further announcements will be made by BHB.
"BHB has agreed with all applicants that it will not publicise either the total number of applicants or their identities. It is for the promoters themselves to decide whether they wish to make their proposals known or to keep them confidential at this stage.
"With the 2004 Fixture List due to be agreed in July 2003, the Committee intends to submit recommendations to the BHB Board before its July meeting."
Expressions of Interest and Full Applications
As stated in advertisements placed by BHB in November 2002, the deadline for submitting to BHB expressions of interest in respect of proposals for a new racecourse or for new tracks within existing racecourses was 6th December 2002. After that date, no further proposals would be eligible for consideration by BHB in the 2002/03 period.
BHB responded to those who made such expressions of interest, enclosing a copy of its Guidelines for the Development of New Racecourses and an extract from the Jockey Club Racecourse Manual.
BHB stated in this response that it must receive a full submission by 24th January 2003, which would need to be accompanied by a conceptual plan of the proposed development plus an intended implementation date and a business plan containing an analysis of proposed capital investment and financial projections as well as detailing the anticipated commercial benefits to British Racing.
NRFC Membership
The members of the NRFC are:
Greg Nichols (BHB Chief Executive) (Chairman)
Stephen Crown (Racehorse Owners Association)
Tony Goodhew (Jockey Club Director of Racecourse Licensing and Standards)
Ruth Quinn (BHB Racing Director)
Julian Richmond-Watson (Chairman, BHB Race Planning Committee)
Chris Wall (National Trainers Federation)
TATTERSALLS BREEZE UP CATALOGUE AVAILABLE ONLINE
The 2003 Tattersalls Breeze Up catalogue is now available online at www.tattersalls.com. The Sale, which takes place on April 16th and 17th, numbers 187 lots, with all lots breezing on the Newmarket Rowley Mile Racecourse at 9.30 am on Tuesday 15th April. Wednesday's lots will then breeze again at 9.30 am on Wednesday 16th April and Thursday's lots again at 9.30 am on Thursday 17th April.
The record breaking 2002 Sale has led to a world class catalogue in 2003, with 19 of last year's top 20 sires in Britain and Ireland represented including DANEHILL, GRAND LODGE, GREEN DESERT, INDIAN RIDGE, IN THE WINGS, PIVOTAL, RAINBOW QUEST, SELKIRK and twelve times Champion sire SADLER'S WELLS. In addition, top international sires with two year olds catalogued include DIESIS, EL PRADO, FRENCH DEPUTY, KINGMAMBO, LINAMIX, SILVER HAWK, THEATRICAL, THUNDER GULCH and UNBRIDLED'S SONG.
Commenting on the catalogue, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said;
"This Sale just keeps on improving. Last year's Sale set new standards and the 2003 catalogue reflects not only the sales ring successes, but equally importantly the racecourse achievements of Tattersalls Breeze Up purchases.
French Classic winner MR DINOS and Britain's top rated older miler NAYYIR both emphasised the quality to be found at the Sale, and we would expect a catalogue of this quality yet again to attract a global audience."
The catalogue will be published on February 27th.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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