Is "All-Weather Racing" an Oxymoron?

Jack Frost decimates Jumps Racing

What a last few days we have had, the snow was almost 4 inches high in London, and much of the capital ground to a halt accordingly! Much more concerning than an inability to get down the shops has been the cancelation of all the quality jumps racings, including a card at Towcester that I had booked a day off to watch. Brian was similarly gutted to miss his planed visit to Musselburgh.

On Saturday I didn’t even get involved in the all-weather racing at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, though did a bit of punting on the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket 1st round at Crayford! Managed to get my jumps racing boots back on for Punchestown’s quality card which featured a very exciting dead heat in the opening novice hurdle race, followed by Sizing Europe justifying punters faith (went off 10/11 from 5/4) in what was essentially a match race against Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage.

Wolverhampton "All Weather" Snowed off

New Name for All Weather Racing?

Always makes me smile when “all-weather” racing gets called off, as has happened on a few occasions recently, including halfway through Saturday’s meeting at Dunstall Park.

There isn’t much that can be done about the weather, and the chaps at Southwell, Lingfield, Kempton and Wolverhampton do their best, but surely a more accurate name could be found. How about “fake surface racing for average horses (unless it gets really cold)” or “kick back hard to win at, racing”?

Got an email from Kempton recently, they are offering anyone who books online and goes to one of their all-weather meetings the opportunity to go again for £1. Not wanting to be a jumps snob, but have to say at this time of the year I would probably have to be paid to go to the all weather, reckon £20 would do it!

Kempton Park All Weather Racing Offer

Chris Denny

I have been involved in the betting industry since the late 90’s and have in that time worked for a on course bookmaker (at now much missed Catford Dogs), spent time at a leading spread betting company, and worked for Betfair in their two year start-up phase.

In 2007 I co-founded iGaming supplier Hyperion Gaming with long suffering business partner Alex Lafferty.

Being involved in the industry for so long has given me a good understanding of the wonderful world of online gambling, and I put effort into giving honest opinions, that remain my own!

Chris Denny+