10.45am McCoy calls for weights range for jockeys to be relaxed
Tony McCoy has called for the minimum weights at which jockeys are asked to ride to be raised. The ex-jockey’s comments are contained in an article in today’s Times newspaper which records that the practice of “flipping”, inducing vomiting after eating, is on the increase, according to the Professional Jockeys’ Association.
McCoy commented: “Racing must be the only sport in which people are expected to perform while hardly eating. It is a problem being exaggerated as the human race gets bigger and I believe it is time to raise the minimum weights at which jockeys are asked to ride.
‘Flipping’ was never a serious problem in the jumps weighing-room I inhabited. In 20 years, I was aware of only one or two cases. But if hearsay is to be believed, it’s a much bigger issue among Flat jockeys.”
The former multiple champion jockey concluded: “My solution to the problem [of keeping my weight down] was hot baths. Virtually every morning, I would get in a scalding bath. How long I stayed in it, how much I topped it up and how much I suffered to shed an extra pound depended on the weight I had to ride at.
“Last month I visited the apprentices’ school in Kildare, where 35 lads were starting. I estimated no more than five could possibly become Flat jockeys; the rest were just too big. It’s time the weight range was changed to give more lads a chance.”
Thursday’s best bets, by Tony Paley
In a lifetime of punting there are horses you latch onto. One group I especially enjoy following are horses which have been shrewdly campaigned to get a favourable handicap mark. Bop It (3.40) was one such runner and the payday came under David O’Meara’s care at Haydock two years back when on an official rating of 81. The son of Misu Bond is with a new yard now but is now on 68 and ran an eye-catching race last time when third at York in a tougher contest than the one he races in back at Haydock today.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Flyman 8-1
Stellarta 7-1
Call It On 16-1
Tuesday
Frenzified 11-4
Silvanus 12-1
Zannda 11-4
Wednesday
Hernandoshideaway 5-4
Secret Glance 5-1
Windi Citi 8-1
And our leader is …
erifder +17
… who was joint second before picking Windi Citi yesterday. Chris1623 (+13.75) was the only one to sort out Secret Glance. Bonzodrongo (+12.75) was another to find Windi Citi.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.20 Brighton, 7.25 Sandown, 7.55 Sandown.
This week’s prize is a pair of tickets to Newbury for Saturday 15 August, featuring the Hungerford Stakes, the Geoffrey Freer and not to mention that fact that it’s their Ladies Day with a performance from Bjorn Again among the many attractions, about which you can read here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -9.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
