WE’VE heard some discussions this week as the GAA intend to change the rules to get rid of some negative play in gaelic football. Eliminate all this passing the ball around in the comfort zone without trying to score.

Perhaps we need a bit of similar tinkering in racing, especially with the Grade 1 mares’ races. We’ve mentioned it before but Gordon Elliott’s statement this week that the “one race she won’t be going for is the Champion Hurdle,” reignited the debate. This was despite Apple’s Jade putting up one of the hurdling performances of the season in winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and a distinct lack of new Champion challengers in the wings.