Bookmakers should act like bookmakers

It’s a really warm morning and is muggy and very close. There are forecasts of thunderstorms but whether they reach here or not is debatable. I think tomorrow is the most likely time for us to get a downpour. We have been cantering close to home with the horses using Hamilton Hill as the main polytrack of choice. All has gone well. We have just been trying to get them in and out with the weather like it is. It is cooler in the boxes than it is in the open.

We had a few disappointing runners at the weekend although Astroman certainly ran ok on Saturday. Archie Bear took charge of his young rider and nearly went to Cambridge but all is well that ends well and no harm done. Isaac Murphy was again frustrating and I think we may find him a different life outside of racing.

The headlines on the Racing Post today are about the bookmakers and how some of them refused to lay Dettori in multiples after his four timer. There are obviously a few who are proper bookmakers but the majority who restricted ordinary punters ought to have their licences looked in to. Overall the bookies won at the meeting and many made good profits, but if they are not going to behave in a proper bookmaker way, they shouldn’t be allowed to have a licence.

Richard Marriott had a marvellous week in the tipping competition and finished £525 up with me minus £201.25. This is all to a £10 win stake on five days of racing. I hope some of you followed his information and not mine. Well done Richard and roll on Goodwood.