I feel overwhelming sadness for Oisin Murphy – and there's only one person who can truly help him
OISIN MURPHY is up in court next week.
Some of you won't be surprised, some of you won't care and some of you will think he deserves everything he gets.
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However some of you, like me, will just be saddened it's come to this for an outstanding champion.
It was on Thursday when news broke Murphy must appear at Reading Magistrates' Court charged with one count of driving a car while over the prescribed limit of alcohol, and one count of failing to co-operate with a test at the roadside.
Shortly afterwards, many on my social media demanded I should speak out against Murphy, someone whose ability I have always respected.
Unlike those on social media, I never feel I'm in a position to hammer those who struggle in life.
I'm just not that perfect myself, and it always surprises me how many appear to live such perfect lives that they can annihilate others so easily.
Of course, there is a difference between right and wrong, and, at the time of his car accident, Murphy had a female passenger in his vehicle.
The Thames Valley Police appeal for witnesses after the crash said the girl suffered 'serious injuries' but I know no more details and nothing about her recovery, or if she was seriously injured at all.
I also don't know how Murphy will plead next Thursday.
Some say he could even be looking at a prison sentence.
Personally, I don't see how that would help him or society at all, but that's just my opinion and others will differ.
What I do know is — as I have said — I feel an overwhelming sadness for Murphy.
I felt the same after the death of Pat Eddery.
His passing had a real effect on me, as I knew Pat well.
Pat had drink issues but, in many ways, it appeared to me some encouraged Pat to turn to booze rather than try to stop him.
I will always believe more could have been done but, ultimately, Pat himself needed to change.
It's the same with Murphy.
On a racehorse he's magical and makes a difference. He is on another level to most riders.
But off a racehorse, Murphy has clearly struggled over many years.
The people who know him, both personally and professionally, have to look at each other and wonder what more we can do to help.
Yes… help. Murphy needs more of it.
Some would counter that he's had many chances already, and there is no doubting he has.
But demons are demons. I have mine, you have yours. More can always be done to help another human being rid themselves of theirs.
OK, now onto Saturday's racing.
The Northumberland Plate takes some sorting out — and Willie Mullins' unexposed runner Pappano adds to the intrigue.
Andrew Balding's Who's Glen has been backed and will go well.
James Owen has the terrier East India Dock as well as Charging Thunder and interesting roughies Lavender Hill Mob and Shajack.
Yet the one who interests me is ZANNDABAD (3.15, Newcastle) for Tony Martin.
My fancy doesn't have a great draw but will surely be dropped out for a late run under Jim Crowley.
On the Flat he was sixth in the 2024 Ascot Stakes — where he didn't get the 2m4f — off 94.
He was also sixth in the Irish Cesarewitch later that season off the same mark, where he was never placed to challenge but kept on nicely.
A mark of 93 for this race is more than workable.
Elsewhere at Newcastle all eyes will be on Group 1 victor Kind Of Blue in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes over 6f.
Kind Of Blue is the class act but he also makes the market interesting for an each-way poke.
I'll give ALYANAABI another chance as I think he's been crying out for this trip and it's the first time he has gone the distance since his racecourse debut, which he won well.
He returned this term over 7f at Haydock and made most of the running to win, but he then flopped at the same track last time.
Hard to predict but a place chance for Crowley again but this time for Owen Burrows.
Like Zannadabd, Alyanaabi has never run on artificial before.
Good luck all… and Yeeehaaa!
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