RIP...

Dear All

This week has seen the passing of three notable influences on those of who love our racing (both codes) and popular music...

I never met Michael Jarvis nor did I know anyone who knew him but the impression given is that here was not only a master trainer of horses but a true gentleman; a kind, thoughtful man and loyal employer. Testament to this is his partnership over three decades and more with only three stable jockeys. Messrs. Durr, Raymond and Robinson all of which I suspect improved their art of race-riding by an association with Mr Jarvis.

Many column inches have been written over countless years about Ginger McCain. Surely there is a film producer out there who can see the viability of transferring to the silver screen the legend of a man who sold second-hand cars; the man he met whilst driving a taxi to make ends meet and the horse (MURDER backwards!) with questionable feet who was not talented enough on the Flat to win a seller outright...

It all could have been so different had Crisp (an equine star of the time), conceding lumps of weight, managed to get there on the line in what must be one of the most played videos on BBC Television...

Cantankerous; curmudgeonly and opinionated are all words I have heard to describe Mr McCain this week but he was a breath of fresh air whenever interviewed; thought-provoking and honest...

RIP Gentlemen... you will be missed

Michael Stipe is one of my all-time heroes and REM's music will stand the test of time. I was sad to hear last week's announcement of the end of this notable era lasting 31 years taking this combo out of Athens, Georgia from college radio darlings to a band who scaled the heights. Gems such as Perfect Circle, Losing My Religion, Electrolyte, Find The River - the list is endless - and classic albums like Murmur, Document, Reckoning, Green, Automatic For The People and Out of Time and the underrated Monster will reside in the music collections of its adoring fans for ever and a day...

I heard someone say that they had heard or REM's demise in an Indian Restaurant and promptly fainted whist eating... "...that's me in the Korma..."

REM didn't mean Relentlessly Excellent Music but it might have done!

Back to the main theme of this missive then...

No real observations today.

I am keen to follow the Non-Runner angle I first mentioned a couple of weeks ago but without the software it is a laborious task...I will continue to monitor its performance...

Happy punting...

Rm(M)