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“Then you got comments (I think it was from Francesca) about a horse Royal Dress who’d never run over a mile, before winning at Goodwood in a slowly run race because “its stamina kicked in”. ”
Just looked up Royal Dress – she’s out of a Dynaformer mare, Wadaa, who posted her career best over 2 miles and was out of an Oaks and Prix Vermeille placed mare. Francesca is quite well versed on pedigrees and probably didn’t have to look that up
Royal Dress’ success on Saturday, a career best on RPRs, was her second try over a mile. Her previous attempt was also her previous career best, over the same course on good to soft, finishing 4th in a handicap on Goodwood Cup day.
It’s a shame that ITV have such a lack of faith in racing that they insist on the big race being their last race fearing the viewers will turn off if its earlier.
It just leads to a rushed finish,no analysis and Oli telling trainers to be quick as they are going off air.To be honest I get more annoyed when courses are asked to run their biggest race of the day as the first race to suit TV(Hamilton yesterday the latest example).
As for rushed finishes nothing will ever beat C4 cutting their coverage moments after Sergeant Cecil had become the first horse in history to win the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Cesarewich in the same season. Who would have thought that a 35 runner race with starting stalls would go off late
Point I am making Green’, is that in a slowly run race it was not Royal Dress’s stamina that won her the race. She wasn’t staying on. She quickened past the whole field using her speed. It does not matter what breeding the horse has, Francesca should have just used her eyes. Poor race reading.
Value Is EverythingI genuinely think that albeit from a low base Francesca has improved so far this season .
She is actually giving a firm opinion when doing her paddock commentary and seems more willing to like or not like the look of any particular horse ….this certainly hasn’t happened much before I think.
I’ve also noticed that it appears from her comments that she has done some homework and watched races that haven’t necessarily been on ITV.
I remain sceptical about whether she is what the programme needs overall but there has also been an uplift in her contributions to the conversations in the presenters group.
She didn’t look in the mirror this morning her pink high viz dress was so bright I had to put sunglasses on.
The more I know the less I understand.
I might go Newbury for the Lockinge meeting
get to see Witch Hunter up close and personal
and will try and get up close for a photo with FrancescaGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Keeping Ian’s legacy alive!
Here’s hoping the ‘mute’ button never goes out of fashion as having to watch Chester on ITV and just wouldn’t ever be able to last having to listen to Leona’s whinging drivel in a voice which sends shock waves through me
now where are those hobnobs?
good luck to allThe big lad should have told Chapman that McManaman is more of a Madrid fan
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Blackcountry Kid thank you. Thought I was alone. Hoped she’d be confined to the Racing League evenings.
“I genuinely think that albeit from a low base Francesca has improved so far this season.”
I think she’s aware of the competition………Adele.
The lack of basic horse racing knowledge by the 2 main presenters is embarrassing at times (or should be)
Ed thought there was little doubt that Hurtle Wallop should/would be declared a non runner at Salisbury the other day when quite clearly under the rules it wasn’t, Richard Hoiles made an attempt to put him right but I’m afraid it didn’t get through.
While Cesca yesterday went rambling on about times, stride patterns and stride length when she clearly hadn’t a clue what she was talking about, and neither did anyone else! Maybe she should stick to the irrelevant stats fed to her by Tanya.
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