Roland spot on, i have had this debate on another web site and got shot down from the off. my opinion is that because the birds are wrapped in cotton wool with hold overs, on only being liberated on days that suits a fast easy race, the first time they do get one where they have to work to get home, the losses are huge. birds are simply not good enough, as they have previously just had to follow the rest of the pack to make it home and nine times out of ten, its the quickest bird to trap that wins it... i had 3 away to Bourges with the UNC this weekend. none of them have made it home yet. my opinion, they were not good enough.