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Does anyone know the outcome of the Stewards enquiry into the running and riding today.
I did not get time to watch much more of ATR after the race but I was aware of a lot of unhappy e-mails coming in and that a Stewards enquiry was being held.
IMO he was never ridden to win the race not that I think he would beaten Hurricane Fly anywayReport on the Sporting Life Racing website:
"The stewards inquired into the running and riding of Binocular but after interviewing both Nicky Henderson and Tony McCoy they accepted their explanations.
Henderson stated that McCoy was not tied to any instructions as he knew the horse well and that he was having his first run since March and the weather had held up his preparations, despite him being the same weight as for his last run.
He was satisfied with the ride but expressed the horse would be seen to better effect on better ground.
McCoy explained that he intended to follow Hurricane Fly but before the second-last he knew he would not be able to challenge the winner while still hoping to obtain second place.
Despite riding out and squeezing all the way up the straight he was unable to get past the second horse and added Binocular was inclined to lean left, showing he was tired.
"The stewards had a look at it and they were quite happy. There’s nothing more to say about it," said Frank Berry racing manager to Binocular’s owner JP McManus."
The stewards accepted the explanation of jockey and trainer.
Presumably they explained it was a nice little blow out before Chelters, and had a good old chuckle about how daft punters don’t understand the game.
Presumably they explained it was a nice little blow out before Chelters, and had a good old chuckle about how daft punters don’t understand the game.
lol how true!
IMO he was never ridden to win the race not that I think he would beaten Hurricane Fly anyway
This is very true and to me it opens up a bit of a loophole in the laws.
As I understand it (and believing the rules to be the same in Ireland) a jockey must ride a race to ‘obtain the best possible placing’.
However, in certain tactical cases such as today, achieving the best possible placing may be incompatible with riding to actually try to
win
the race. It is a moot point as to whether AP achieved the best possible placing with this ride – Binocular did have every chance to get past Thousand Stars but couldn’t – so 3rd may be as good as he could have achieved; 2nd at best.
However, at no stage did AP put Binocular in with a chance of winning the race saying he ‘knew’ he would not be able to challenge the winner.
Basically, he rode the horse to give it the best chance of finishing 2nd at the expense of never having a chance of winning.
Mike
Thats an interesting point Betlarge. I wonder what the response from the authorities would be if the explanation was exactly that?
Thats an interesting point Betlarge. I wonder what the response from the authorities would be if the explanation was exactly that?
Probably nothing as usual, just sweep it under the carpet and hope nobody notices
Another nice example of Henderson passing the ball.This time to McCoy.He (the trainer) is only responsible when the horse wins.Otherwise it is the head lad who did it or the vet who did it but never "poor little old me".
Henderson was hardly talking up Binocular before the run so I see no problems there. The only problem I saw with the ride was a visual one in that AP could have tried to stay with Hurricane Fly at the second last, had he done that there is the distinct possibility that he would have finished a more distant third. At no point was Binocular traveling as well as Hurricane Fly. It was also noteworthy how much more efficient HF was jumping than B (something that could be seen from side view down the back straight from the stands ).
It could be argued that AP actually gave B a good ride and achieved the best possible position that the horse could achieve on the day. He also ensured that we will see B again.
It is always presented that one of the appeals of NH racing is that horses race for more than a couple of seasons, but if it was expected that every horse raced to its full potential each race we would either see less of them or they would retire earlier.
but if it was expected that every horse raced to its full potential each race we would either see less of them or they would retire earlier
I dont buy this. The two greatest of my time, Kauto and dessie ran plenty of times over many seasons, but were rarely if ever far off being ready to win
its always going to be a tricky point about what is 100% fit or not and would agree that some horses will just "need that race" but "near enough" "full potential" isnt too much to ask for
too far short is not acceptable and shouldnt excused. If twister can do it with IC, then so can others
Henderson was hardly talking up Binocular before the run so I see no problems there. The only problem I saw with the ride was a visual one in that AP could have tried to stay with Hurricane Fly at the second last, had he done that there is the distinct possibility that he would have finished a more distant third. At no point was Binocular traveling as well as Hurricane Fly. It was also noteworthy how much more efficient HF was jumping than B (something that could be seen from side view down the back straight from the stands ).
It could be argued that AP actually gave B a good ride and achieved the best possible position that the horse could achieve on the day. He also ensured that we will see B again.
It is always presented that one of the appeals of NH racing is that horses race for more than a couple of seasons, but if it was expected that every horse raced to its full potential each race we would either see less of them or they would retire earlier.
Spot on
Binocular hasn’t won on his seasonal debut for over 4 years. Yesterday was his first time on heavy ground since leaving France. He’s rated 6lbs below the winner. He was beaten 5 lengths. HF was 1/6.
He was outpaced turning in and unbalanced (what some read as AP taking a pull at that point was him trying to get the horse back on an even keel). Once that was done he was ridden quite vigorously despite hanging in behind the runner-up. I believe AP thought he would get second without resorting to the whip – he was wrong by a nose.
Some perspective badly needed here imo.
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