Jack Hobbs has run 4 times at 12f winning 3 easily and finishing 2nd in the Derby to Golden Horn

Right so it's now okay to use a Gp3 race as a guide where he beat a 66/1 shot who has only won a fillies maiden race and a 14f handicap. Fair enough, let's see some consistency in that approach when judging other horses you don't fancy.

On the other hand Highland Reel has run 11 times over 12f and has been beaten 6 times

Or put another way he's won 5 times out of 11 and on two of those occasions he didn't make all the running.

Three of JH's 12f performances were as a 3yo. What is your opinion on the reason for the wfa scale?

I'm not talking about whether the wfa scale cost you a win. I mean the premise for why the wfa scale was devised, do you agree with it?

Of course it depends on who turns up HC, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he is well beaten. I believe he is not a strong 12f horse at this level and that is one theory I expect to be put to the test on Saturday.

The wfa scale does not bother me. What does is when I read about the rating this horse or that horse has been given for winning a race top class race. I am of the opinion you cannot rate 'class'. The Irish handicapper continually tried to with Arkle and failed. Timeform and the BHA tried to with Frankel and failed miserably. Trainers and jockeys often refer to horses as being 'top class' or having a 'touch of class' because they are different from handicappers.

Figgis, I am just completing my 8th book, tomorrow afternoon I am leaving with my wife, son and daughter in law and four of my grandchildren for a three week break in Orlando. Later in the year and some of next year I will be attempting to finish off the house we are building in France before planning a drive around the US with my other son and his wife. Do you really think I have time to think about Admiral Rous?

I have given it zero thought so I guess it will either be a yes or a no. You possibly have too much time on your hands.

So you can post about half a dozen posts this morning. One a few paragraphs long containing your 'theories'. You can post 4 replies that evade the question elaborating your reasons why it doesn't matter. Yet you didn't have time to say yes or no to whether you agree with one of the most fundamental theories of flat racing and why the races are framed the way they are. Yep, makes sense

(sorry) it's about something I enjoy.

I suppose the fact that Brigadier Gerard had to give 11lb to Roberto in the Benson & Hedges (Juddmonte International) at York instead of the 8lb he would give him today, added to the fact that had Joe Mercer persevered with him the distance between them would have been nearer a length, meant the Brigadier would have remained unbeaten then I guess the wfa system has had a major effect on my horse racing life but I cannot do anything about it and waste no time thinking about the rights and wrongs.

Coolmore is something I do have an opinion about

But what can you do about it? Which was the point you have just made. You've been moaning about them since I can remember on here yet you've said things have become worse, so your moaning hasn't changed anything.

The wfa scale is not a discussion point

Well the scale is certainly not the discussion point I'm making. I said the reason for it. I'm now actually beginning to think you really don't know why it exists.

You don't know why it exists

WEIGHT-FOR-AGE
Weight-for-Age (WFA) is a weight allowance to compensate a horse for lack of physical
maturity.
In practice, the WFA table describes a sliding scale of weight allowances that younger
horses receive from older ones, based on the principle that, on average, Flat horses
become fully mature at around the beginning of the turf season as 4 year olds, and that
young Jumpers are the equal of their older counterparts as hurdlers towards the end of
their 4 year old year and, as steeplechasers, approximately one year later.
Younger animals are considered to be more disadvantaged in races over longer
distances and the sliding scale reflects this. For example, a 3 year old is presumed to
be the equal of his elders over 5 furlongs by November. However, a 3 year old running
over a mile on the same day would receive an allowance. Similar distance-based
factors are included in the Jump scale.
The WFA scale is designed to reflect the physical development of the average horse.
When a Flat horse is described as having ‘failed to train on’ from two to three, it may be
the case that the horse was precocious and had less than average scope for physical
development at the end of its 2yo season. It will therefore have regressed relative to its
peers. Conversely other horses may improve by more than the scale suggests.
In handicap races with different age groups, the Handicapper deducts the WFA
allowance from the weight carried by any horse that receives it.
Each racing nation sets it own WFA scale. The international protocol is that
Handicappers normally use the scale in operation in the country where the race was run.
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This is not necessarily the case with regards to Irish Jump races because their scale is
significantly out of line with Britain’s. The policy in all cases is set by the Head of
Handicapping.
As the breed develops, it is possible that the WFA scale may require further adjustment
from time-to-time.
The Jumping WFA scale has been amended twice in the last 12 years and the
Handicappers are satisfied that it is currently working well.

Figgis I have no idea how the Magic Body Control on the new car works but what I do know is it cost a small fortune. The brochure says it adjusts the suspension to cope with potholes. That's all I need to know, thanks.

You need to get out more F. We are here for a good time not a long time. You really don't want to be on your death bed thinking about the wfa scale. Get a life mate.

You really don't want to be on your death bed thinking about the wfa scale

And still he fails to grasp it

Get a life mate

This advice could be considered wise from someone out there living the dream. Never seems to carry much weight though coming from someone who are themselves spending their time squabbling on an internet forum

I cannot think of a bet I have had where the wfa cost me. So it does not bother me and I live with it. I may feel differently if Enable beats Jack Hobbs in a photo

Why would you feel differently? Everyone knows beforehand what weight a horse carries and should factor that into their betting.

A lot will likely hinge on how much rain hits the track tomorrow. Latest met office: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcps2xe58#?date=2017-07-26

Benbatl 20/1 each way

Enable and Jack Hobbs both run on Saturday. Bring it on!

I don't think Highland Reel, Ulysses or Idaho will even run due to the likely ground.

It is still an interesting race as I can see it now being a very small field. I hope it's soft ground and I hope they front run on Jack Hobbs to make full use of his stride and staying ability - that would make it a real race against the most likely winner Enable. Otherwise it will just turn into a procession for her, which it might do any way. But if Jack Hobbs front runs on soft ground then I think it could get interesting. That isn't based on speed figures, data or any jazz like that, just the good fashioned eye test - I think Jack Hobbs could be seen at his best front running with some cut in the ground.

Most annoying that betfair do not have an antepost place market as I want to back Algometer in this regard.