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DAVID CARR |
Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter
Top Notch effort by the Mail
Local papers aren't dead yet. Those who say they have no future in these days of internet, Facebook and Twitter ought to have seen the 'Hull Daily Mail' today.
Not so much the page three story, fascinating though it was to read about Sammy the grey squirrel from Bridlington who is apparently learning to play the piano (not quite sure about the musical output as his owner confesses 'Sammy's favourite notes are those his paws happen to land on').
But the coverage given to this afternoon's meeting at Beverley could not be faulted. Not only a full racecard with form for each runner but also a bespoke preview in which the reporter had gone into great depth investigating the two-old maiden, getting hold of the connections of three of the likelier candidates.
An effort which proved invaluable as Ian McInnes' 17-2 shot Top Notch Tonto - "He's one of my best juveniles" - beat 16-1 chance Pearl Noir - "He's not the quickest but he has that bit of quality about him" - to give readers a 128-1 forecast.
That ought to pay for another piano for Sammy.
Golf agent Chubby Chandler could be in for an even bigger payout after backing 14-1 winner On The Hoof in a trixie with Hoofalong and Hoof It who run at York tomorrow.
He was not here and sad to report that co-owner Lee Westwood did not make it - sad for Julie Iggulden whose daughter Sally, the Beverley chief executive, revaled that her mum is a big fan and would be 'ever so upset' to miss him.
Sad also to report that three of the sandwich options have been dropped from the press room menu since last week.
But I was intrigued to watch the catering manager cover them up with a tippex roller, which looks like a tape dispenser but is used to white out any undesirable text. Dries instantly, too.
It was the first time I'd seen such a device (I don't get out much and it's a long time since I worked in an office), he saw I was clearly fascinated and gave it to me (apparently they have loads). A new toy. All I need now is something to delete.
The lunch ordering procedure threw up something else fascinating. There are four different 'snack' options but each of the half dozen present today plumped, independently, for a 'kit kat' - which appears to be the sweet of choice for the racing press.
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