I’ve just realised that Aiden O’Brien forfeited the chance to run Love To Dance (runs in the maiden at 8.30 at Leopardstown tonight) off a handicap mark of 56 after 3 undistinguished runs in favour of another maiden and a Group 3. She is now rated 85.
Messrs Curley, Fahey, Prescott and Martin would not approve
So now he’s got an 85 rated filly that is struggling to win a maiden at a Group 1 track and will probably have to go down the country, instead of one looking for a quick-fire hat-trick a-la Prescott…..
Surely the winning of a race is the first priority, handicap or not?
Just playing devil’s advocate you understand Aragorn, of course I know their thinking but it still seems a sin to waste a mark like that……
Better off winning a lowly maiden impressively followed by scraping home in a mickey-mouse Listed race somewhere (Tip or Fairyhouse or Laytown!) and then retire her with some speil about her pulling a muscle while beating Henrythenavigator over a mile at home!
Better off winning a lowly maiden impressively followed by scraping home in a mickey-mouse Listed race somewhere (Tip or Fairyhouse or Laytown!) and then retire her with some speil about her pulling a muscle while beating Henrythenavigator over a mile at home!