Forget merit ratings, opinion is the cornerstone of racing

The belief that “my horse is faster than yours” has been the bedrock of bragging and betting from as far back as at least the end of the 2nd century AD.actually began in the Roman Empire, there are documents that reveal that well-drilled, highly disciplined legionnaires based in England would find entertainment and diversion through racing local horses against the Arabian breeds brought into Britain from across the continent.

Incredibly, Henry John Rous joined the Royal Navy aged 13 and flew the flag for King George III during the Napoleonic Wars. Rous was from racing stock, his father owned a stud farm in Suffolk so a passion for race horses was inbred. He was a steward of the Jockey Club for almost 40 years and from 1855 he performed the role of public handicapper. In later life Admiral Rous became a Conservative member of parliament for Westminster.

By the way, the poor fellow hasn’t run a place since that victory in June. On Cape Derby day he finished last off a rating of 110. He’s now rated a 106 but I’m not sure I believe that either. He quoted Phil Bull, the architect of Timeform, who on being asked whether handicapping is an art or a science replied that it was “a bit of both. It can never be an exact science because opinion as well as fact is involved”.As punters and students of horseracing form, we are all handicappers in our own right. We apply our knowledge to interpret the information that racetrack performances deliver.

He believed that criticisms of handicappers are due to the fact that they are not being allowed to interpret and are forced into a rigid approach. He recommended more freedom for the handicappers.

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