IT’S vital these days to have a healthy suspicion of most things that are posted on social media but it was a week where a X post from Fergal O’Brien Racing pretty much summed it up. The problem with modern April Fools jokes is that they’re no weirder than what’s actually happening anymore.

Firstly, Cheltenham suddenly closed up shop with three meetings of the season left as immediate attention needed to be paid to the drains in the home straight, before the ground dried. How close did we come to potential trouble at the Festival, if a lot of rain had come?

Then the computers in Ballydoyle “went bananas” and took two of the main Guineas fancies out of the race. The Skeltons came to bash the bookies, good or bad to be playing the game? Once upon a time such manoeuvres were hailed in higher regard. It seemed to split opinion online as to how much ‘craft’ should be rewarded or questioned by the authorities.

By the time we hit April Fool’s day, the irishracing.com ‘news’ that the IHRB was merging with HRI nearly missed the boat, it just wasn’t mad enough!

Then Chelmsford City was shut down by the BHA, losing its big Friday meeting just after declarations had been made.

Abroad, jockey Eliseo Ruiz’s ride aboard Bailout Billy at Parx was the ‘quiet ride’ of all rides. And then Charles Byrnes tells us after a Clonmel winner that he never bets!

Added to it all came news that William Hill and Ladbrokes are closing high street shops with job losses following the new tax legislation in Britain; the end of FanDuel TV in the US; more severe gambling advertising regulation in Australia and two greyhound tracks in Britain closing due to SIS pulling coverage. It all caused much less amusement. Prime Time also broadcast a piece showing some negativity towards greyhound racing.

My opinion is that racing, compared to greyhounds, still holds a strong position in public sentiment. Greyhound racing has lacked recognisable ‘public’ voices to come out in support and one would be more sure racing has that back-up. But as things develop, it’s not been the most encouraging week.

Albert behaves but questions remain

IT’S been a right eventful week on the 2000 Guineas front, never mind that we are in jumps mode heading into National week at Fairyhouse and Aintree.

Albert Einstein was neither confirmed nor dismissed as a Guineas runner following his surprising Curragh outing. He was taken out in error along with Gstaad. but presumably that will be rectified. Aidan O’Brien’s comments on Saturday were: “It was more important that he behaved well and was beaten at the Curragh than behave badly and win. We felt that he did behave well. He settled, but he was a little bit strong in Ryan’s hands.” I would have thought winning might have been a better option because it would show more and that he actually stayed. Any bad behavior could be addressed and trained out of him. Not winning, or indeed even placing, left a lot more questions to me.

Paul Fitzgerald@Cav_TRF

Well, well, so now its revealed, the drain is 70+ years old, it runs the entire length of the home straight, “fairly extensive investigations” were needed to discover it, and a significant length of it will need to be upgraded. It needs to be done so urgently they cant even wait until summer.

Richstranger*@ChrisGartner2

Landed! Absolutely made up for them. Despite what the wet wipes would have you believe gambles are what makes this game. If you own & put your own money into the game this is how you get payback. No better yard to do it with.

Ian Brindle@RacingBrindle

No shock re: SIS and Oxford/Suffolk Downs to be honest - when you bend over backwards for broadcast providers (e.g. racing at 8.12 in the morning - wall to wall low-grade sprints) - those “golden handcuffs” deals seem to be firmly clasped around the ankles...