Disappointing. Not a word you usually here someone say after their horse has just won the Derby Trial by a record thirteen lengths. But that was the word Mark Johnston used to describe his feelings when asked about the rule that says if your horse is not already entered in the Derby by now, then you will have to stump up £90,000 to get him in. It seems a very old-fashioned and quite frankly ridiculous rule, as surely they will simply want the best horses available to turn up on the day. And they must be desperate for that now, after this year's Derby was described as boring by TV's John McCririck because according to the betting it is a two horse race, and they both belong to Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore team.

Yip (he says sarcastically!), they have it all worked out don't they? They give you £34,800 for winning a Derby Trial and then charge you nearly three times that amount to enter your horse in the big race in June. That makes a lot of sense. Not. True, the horses owner Mr. Al-Rostamani of Dubai is a rich guy, but that is besides the point. Mark Johnston has won two other trials of course, and his Fight Your Corner, who won the Chester Vase last week, will go for the French Derby instead of the Epsom Classic now, as it costs less than £500 to enter your horse there. Compare that with £90,000 and you see what a farce our rules are. So will the Derby be boring? Not if Bandari gets a place it won't.

On to this weeks trials then, and it will be Sir Michael Stoute's horses who put their credentials on the line at York. On Tuesday Lord Weinstock's maiden winner Islington will try and strengthen her place as favourite for this year's Oaks in the Musidora Stakes. The form of her win last month has received a boost with runner-up Fragrant View winning at Chester in good style. Two of Stoute's Derby candidates go for Wednesday's Dante Stakes, the more fancied of the two being Right Approach. Displaced as favorite for the Derby after a lacklustre comeback at Sandown, the Queen's colt by the trainer's own admission will have to improve a lot now to take a hand here, or at Epsom. His other runner Balakheri has only won a handicap to date but will surely improve a lot and may surprise a few. But they might both have to fly to catch Mark Johnston's raider Sir George Turner. This chestnut colt, by former Derby winner Nashwan, only ran at Chester last week when narrowly beaten by the useful Sohaib in the Dee Stakes. He has been wearing blinkers at home since and the plan is to run him in them on Wednesday and hope he runs a blinder!! (Sorry, bad joke).

This Saturday see's some of the real top class milers come out to play in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Last year's top European miler Noverre could be back for Frankie Dettori, and if the rain stays away then recent impressive Newmarket winner Desert Deer could take his chance. Unbeaten since his debut, Desert Deer has steadily improved and holds big claims here, underlining how difficult it is to stop his trainer when he is in form, that trainer being Mr. Mark Johnston of Middleham of course.

And last but not least for this week, it has emerged that bookmakers William Hill will be floated on the London Stock Exchange. Hard to say whether this will affect the punters in any way, but if you have something to say on this, or any other matter, let me know at:- gg@southportreporter.com
Article by Gary Christie

Learn to dive!

Ormskirk Sub~Aqua Club  was established in 1975 and has a broad band of members from all walks of life with various diving experiences. We are an open and friendly club and have a busy diving and training schedule held during the year. The club owns a 5.8 meter rigid inflatable boat that we commonly use to dive the wrecks of Liverpool Bay and beyond.

Within the last two years we have had trips to Oban, Anglesey, Seahouses on the North East Coast, Normandy and have arranged for this year to dive the Clyde and Scapa Flow in the Orkneys.

OSAC is a member of BSAC who have a membership of over 55,000 with some 1,200 branches in more than 50 countries around the world and are the UK Governing Body for underwater sports!  

If this sounds like your type of fun the ask for more information and a try-dive, by contacting any of the committee members on our club training night at the Ormskirk Park Pool, ever Wednesday at 9.00pm. Also see our web page at:- http://www.ormskirkdiver.com