Greene Is Walking A Tightrope

Oct 26 2008 Joe Punter

ARROGANCE was the buzz word last week with two examples entirely different but equally breathtaking.

First in the spotlight is jockey Rodi Greene who was slapped with a 10-day ban for remounting and completing a race at Cheltenham on a lame horse.

Greene claimed he did not know Thyne Spirit was not sound until he was about 20 yards from the post so elected to just walk his mount over the line.

And he added that his punishment for doing so made him "look like a thug and a bully".

But the rules are crystal clear and say that under no circumstances should you stay on a horse that is lame ... no matter how near you are to the post.

Besides which, did Greene even give a thought to the welfare of Thyne Spirit and the potential damage that may have been done to the horse?

Sorry, he just came across as a greedy sod given that the prize money for second place he eventually filled was £5,000 so spare us the crocodile tears.

Next in to the stocks for public pelting we have France Galop - the governing body for racing - who have upheld the finishing places in the Arc.

That's despite the photo print showing It's Gino was clearly third ahead of Aidan O'Brien's Soldier of Fortune and not an official dead-heat between them.

There would seem no point in Gino's connections appealing despite the crystal clear evidence to support such a move. If Mister Magoo had been in charge even he would have seen what an injustice it was.

I hope France Galop choke on their champers dining in their ivory tower.

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