THIS week we have yet again witnessed how absolutely incompetent the Government officials are at dealing with the foot-and-mouth crisis - now in its ninth week.

The Government has instructed the British Horseracing Board to ban any trainers from racing who are within one kilometre of an infected premises. The rule stipulates that any trainer within one kilometre of an infected premises may not enter any racecourse for 30 days after the infection became official.

The ban only begins from Monday 30th April, so any trainer within this restriction can race up until today.

Johnjo O'Neil and Maurice Barnes are two trainers who fall into this category, so the can race up until today. But Johnjo then is banned until the middle of May and Maurice is out of action for six days.

They cannot spread any infection in the ministry's eyes until Monday 30th April. Ludicrous! To bring in a rule like this after nine weeks just shows how behind the game the Government is.

Three weeks ago, I asked our Darlington Borough Council to put proper disinfectant pads down to kill infection and warning signs.

Keith Atkinson, who I was told is Assistant Director for Public Protection, and is working alongside Ministry Officials, informed my office that is was not important for disinfectant pads and signs to be placed. NOT IMPORTANT!

I again contacted them on Monday to be informed they had had a policy review, and disinfectant pads and signs should be placed at our premises.

Iinformed him that the reason this disease is spreading is because the people in so-called charge are too slow to react to the problem and behind the times. I'm waiting to be contacted again - so we'll see.

Most racecourses have had restrictions lifted - and can now race. In the north, these include Sedgefield, Hexham, Thirsk and Newcastle. Carlisle and Catterick, however, are still unable to race due to the restrictions.

On a brighter note, I was delighted by the performance of Al Azhar, who put up a gallant performance carrying 10st to finish second at Pontefract on Monday on ground softer than he likes. He was available at 20-1 at the track and finished up at 12-1 so I hope you backed him each-way. He'll be winning soon.

Jeffrey Anotherred also performed well, finishing third on his seasonal debut on atrocious ground at Warwick in the middle of the week. I'd intended to have runners at Leicester today but its been abandoned due to a waterlogged course - winter's returned. Next week, I hope to run Foxes Lair at Nottingham on Tuesday. As I've said before, he's a promising horse but I suspect the ground will be against us.

Jeffrey Anotherred should run at Musselburgh Friday if the ground is soft. He won't be far away if he gets his ground. Other runners have still to be finalised with the conditions changing so rapidly.

Micky Hammond retires from training today at the ripe old age of 38. A good jockey, and successful trainer, he will no doubt be successful in whatever he decides to pursue in the future - good luck to him. His head lad Andy Crook takes over the reigns at the 45-box Oakwood Stables. Good luck to him too.

Lynda Ramsden's Mastermind, who I nominated as the one to watch for the Lincoln, where he was fourth, went in nicely at Newbury last week at 10-1. Hope you were on.

Column Published: 28/04/01