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I would suggest PN doesn’t rate him either….and I’d be very surprised if he’s not working elswhere next season.
Maybe so
but when the geese fly home for winter, the badgers often gather at the back of the tractor
As Paul Nicholls has stated that Ruby Walsh will ride Denman in the AON, I think the writing is on the wall as far as Sam Thomas’ future at Ditcheat is concerned.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
The argument that you have to sit on a horse to be qualified to comment on the competence or otherwise of a jockey is laughable. By that logic, everybody who holds a driving licence is qualified to comment on the merits of all or any Formula One drivers! You don’t need to sit on a horse to see that he is a good or bad jumper, that much is evident from watching a race.
Of course you don’t have to be a rider to qualify on the competence of a jockey, no-one has said that!
Sometimes however it can help, for instance you can often see as far as three or four strides out that they are going to get it wrong before they do and you also appreciate that jumping a fence is not just about getting over it, it is about the approach and getting away from the fence also.
I do tend to find it intensely annoying however when an armchair jockey tells me that my opinion shows that I am clueless about horseracing and am told "I thought you could ride"; not least when I know the complete opposite is true! Of course GWilson is welcome to school a few upsides over a few flights of hurdles with me if he likes…
Anyone prepared to offer odds on GWilson vs. Shadow in a two mile race over the National fences? I’m prepared to wager a fiver that GW falls off whilst mounting and eventually ends up facing the wrong way holding the horse’s tail saying "Okay guys, I’ve got the reins now where’s its bloody head."
Anyone prepared to offer odds on GWilson vs. Shadow in a two mile race over the National fences? I’m prepared to wager a fiver that GW falls off whilst mounting and eventually ends up facing the wrong way holding the horse’s tail saying "Okay guys, I’ve got the reins now where’s its bloody head."
I fail to see the relevance of this post
The relevance is that there has been a dialogue of posts between myself, GWilson and Shadow, culminating in Shadow inviting GWilson to go schooling together. I simply moved the notion a little further along considering all three parties have been fairly jocular during the correspondence between them. After, what began as a serious thread, David, I think it’s good if things end on a lighter note, don’t you agree?
If i were Findlay or Barber i’d have Thomas on Denman every time – surely there’s an element of loyalty somewhere – Walsh had his chance to show faith in the horse and he blew it.
From what i read the other day it seemed like Nicholls was trying to tell owners who to put up – "Ruby Walsh is my number one ad he gets to pick". Bit different to "I’m discussing this with Clive Smith" prior to AP getting the armchir ride on Masterminded.
I find all this a bit personal to be honest – there was absolutely no need to bring up the Hennessey again after all this time. Walsh ballsed up picking the wrong one in the Gold Cup – how would it look if team Denman, including Thomas, kept on bringing that up in the press? Pretty petty, thats how, just like Nicholls looks now in my opinion.
As one who was quick to defend Sam Thomas and criticise Paul Nicholls’ statements regarding his stable jockey, the fact is that Thomas’s riding lately has not helped his cause one bit.
This whole episode has clearly ( imo ) affected his confidence.
I’m sure Harry Findlay (if not Paul Barber ) has agonised over the decision whether or not to replace Sam Thomas with Ruby Walsh on Denman in the AON, but with so much at stake – and given the extra pressure Thomas would be under on the day, I think the right decison has been reached.
However, should Denman win the AON with ease, then Mr Walsh would have an even bigger decision to make – and should Ruby decide to remain loyal to Kauto Star, will Denman’s reins be returned to Sam Thomas for the Gold Cup – or is it conceivable that Mr AP McCoy will step in ?
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
This scenario really is descending into farce. 10 months ago it was the clash of the titans between Kauto Star and Denman – Two brilliant champions. Harry Findlay and Paul Nicholls were waxing lyrical about the Thomas ride on Denman. The opinion remained the same until November…then bang.
Its crass, underhand, backstabbing by Paul Nicholls, Paul Barber and Harry Findlay. Thomas does not deserve to be treated like an outcast just because he made a couple mistakes in a couple of races in November. And even then, he never got Big Bucks beat, the horse did that himself.
I really think the pressure has started to get to PN of having all these good horses and wealthy owners to satisfy.
Anyone prepared to offer odds on GWilson vs. Shadow in a two mile race over the National fences? I’m prepared to wager a fiver that GW falls off whilst mounting and eventually ends up facing the wrong way holding the horse’s tail saying "Okay guys, I’ve got the reins now where’s its bloody head."
KEN,
Its good to see someone else with a sense of humour on this forum,
and your quite right about my skills as a jockey, although i do seem to
know a thing or two about horses potential!
- Total Posts 17716
It’s got little to do with pressure, douginho, and everything to do with ego and an over-inflated sense of self-importance.
I, for one, harbour a vague desire to see Denman hammered (in terms of distance beaten, rather than any untoward manner which someone will likely insinuate) in the Aon.
Of course you don’t have to be a rider to qualify on the competence of a jockey, no-one has said that!
I do tend to find it intensely annoying however when an armchair jockey tells me that my opinion shows that I am clueless about horseracing and am told "I thought you could ride"; not least when I know the complete opposite is true! Of course GWilson is welcome to school a few upsides over a few flights of hurdles with me if he likes…
SHADOW,
The last horse i got close to, was Bahamian Pirate,I made the mistake of entering his box with my camera trying to take a photograph
of his lass Victoria beside him and i think through jealousy he took a chunk out of my old T shirt, how the old bugger knew i fancied his lass i will never know, but he wouldn"t let go! i shouted to Dandy that i was a bit
concerned that Bahamian was ragdolling me and he turned round and said
" You should have ironed your shirt before you came ere son" Dandy later
quipped he was going to buy me an iron for xmas,he"s got a cheek for someone who still wears Shellsuits at Doncaster sales!Seriously I have the utmost respect for anyone that can control half a ton of horse, never mind about putting one to a fence on the correct stride! I still maintain
Sam Thomas is as good a jockey as the best! Denman proved that!
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