Nicholls, Hannon, See Me After School

Aug 17 2008 Joe Punter

I RECEIVED an email from an irate Stewart Winter on the the thorny subject of betting horses to lose.

Stewart has a part share in a cuddy and maintains that it, and it's jock, are always trying no matter the company they are in.

He goes on to say that he would never bet it to lose, a practice he says is immoral and corrupt and one he blames several trainers of openly embracing.

Good point, since laying a horse to lose came in via the exchanges there is no doubt the level of non-triers has soared.

But your wish to sue the jock or trainer found guilty of not trying would be wonderful if it were practical.

Firstly, the offence is so damned hard to prove and is not helped by those within the industry who see this as a rare wee scam for making money.

Secondly, the racing authorities would have to pin the cheats down in a court of law to have any chance of getting retribution from the bad guys.

They have failed to do that so far and I don't see any desire to really crack down on corruption, despite their lip service such as this week's schoolboy nonsense aimed at encouraging trainers to stamp out the passing of inside information.

The British Horseracing Authority have warned any trainer who does not participate in this Mickey Mouse exercise may have their licence revoked.

Paul Nicholls said: "I thought it was a joke and threw it in the bin," and Richard Hannon chipped in: "Is the letter dated April 1?"

Those unable or unwilling or unable to attend the various BHA seminars must complete a computer based training module "to know the part they have in keeping the sport clean."

Like those on the inside of the sport did not already know what exactly this is.

Why don't the BHA just ask all those in the know to write a 100 lines of "I must not be a naughty boy/girl." It would have about as much effect as this latest piece of hokum.

I HAVE sworn to keep this column a John McCririck-free zone but when 'Bing' wrote pointing out Big Mac's latest piece of double standards I had to renege on that promise.

The fat oaf, writing in his weekly column for an English-based paper, berated greedy punters for cashing in on an amended result at Lingfield recently when the new placings were not announced until bets had been settled.

Amazingly, McCririck suggested all those incorrectly paid out should repay the cash and be ashamed of themselves.

Is this the same man who who was banned from many tracks over his unpaid gambling debts? Pot and big fat kettle? Too right!

GOT a racing query? Write to Joe Punter, Sports Desk, Sunday Mail, One Central Quay, Glasgow G3 8DA or email joepunter@sundaymail.co.uk