Obsession can be very distracting, and I fully confess that my fixation on the outcome of the Ashes has caused all varieties of problems this summer. By the time you read these words, the destiny of that little urn will have been determined.
It's a sobering thought as I sit here typing in my garden that cricket fans in England, down under and wherever Test match cricket is followed, face the probability of ten days of sporting torture, with two Tests still to play.
There have been times this summer when I have craved for a bank of TV screens, allowing me to watch the racing through one eye and the little red ball trickling to the boundary with the other. It has been forever thus; I recall in my youth watching the racing and cricket with my father, back in the days when channel hopping was an Olympic sport, the remote control only appearing on Tomorrow's World. You had to actually get out of your chair and retune imagine! But that was generations before Bazball.
Bucket loads of emotion is invested in following the sports we love, and I sometimes ponder what life would be like without the distraction of watching a race or a nail-biting cricket match. Racing satisfies most of my cravings but cricket is all encompassing, an epic roller coaster journey. I am an Essex supporter and one of my proudest possessions, apart from my mildewed vinyl collection, is a commemorative plate celebrating Essex winning their first County Championship in 1979.
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Esta historia es de la edición August 2023 de Racing Ahead.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree