Masterful work from some of racing's most expert experts (sorry, Mr Gove)

Best Horses Of The Decade 2000-2009 by John Crofts
£34.95, published by Miralgo Publications

This might not be a book for Michael Gove but it is likely to be welcomed on to the shelves of any racing enthusiast.

The secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities famously said at EU referendum time: "I think the people of this country have had enough of experts."

Well, some of the most expert experts are responsible for this masterwork, the fifth in a series covering the racing and stud careers of the very best horses of each decade, starting from the 1960s.

Anything that the Racing Post's long-time bloodstock editor Tony Morris does not know about breeding is patently not worth knowing and he contributes a typically sage analysis of how the best horses from 2000 to 2009 have gone on to do as sires.

Geoff Greetham was the man behind many of the punchier essays in Timeform's now defunct Racehorses and Chasers & Hurdlers down the years. With that avenue now cut off, he offers his cogently argued views in these pages, and pieces discussing performance-enhancing drugs as "the elephant in the room" and reasons why interference rules need amending show he's still not finished rocking the boat.

But John Crofts himself is the man whose work really sells this fine work of reference, providing the bulk of the photos.

They illustrate factual write-ups and detailed data profiles of the stars of the early 21st century, from Alamshar outpointing Dalakhani in a fine action shot from the 2003 Irish Derby to a remarkably crisp photo of another great day for the Aga Khan when Zarkava beat perpetual runner-up Youmzain in the 2008 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Crofts is no less sharp with his own comments in the book. Matt Chapman – "a particularly bad mistake" – and ITV Racing in general may not enjoy settling down to relive an earlier decade if they read the introduction first.

Which would be a shame as this limited edition is a worthwhile investment for any bookshelf or coffee table.
David Carr

Faster! Louder! by Boff Whalley
£9.99, published by Great Northern Books

Such is the popularity of running these days that it's fast (or slowly, depending how quick you are) developing into a national pastime, with even those reluctant to slip on their trainers being encouraged to get out and participate in the Couch to 5K programme or local park runs.

The subject of Faster! Louder! is running, but not running as we know it. Gary Devine was one of Britain's top fell runners, and this biography, written by one of Devine's running partners Boff Whalley, charts Devine's attempt to win the 1990 British Fell Running Championship.

Fell (or mountain) running is an anarchic form of running where all sorts of obstacles confront the competitors. It's literally off the beaten track, and it's easy to see why Devine excelled. He lived a double life – part athlete, part punk who played in a band and lived in a Leeds squat, and this is what makes the book so entertaining.

While some of his competitors would arrive at the starting line fully prepped for the run ahead, Devine was more often than not trying to shake off a hangover.

The joy of running shines through this book. Devine was "treating the sport as play, climbing the hills for enjoyment . . . celebrating the absurdity of racing up and down mountains", with a team ethic equally as important as individual competition (Devine ran for Pudsey & Bramley) and each run was followed by a good night in the local pub.

At the heart of the book is Devine's anarchic spirit that makes the subject matter unique, and you're unlikely to have come across anything like it.
Daniel Hill

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