When to Challenge ?

[Burrough Hill Lad]

The age-old question … when your horse is lobbing along on the bit upsides the long time leader and there is a very short run in after the last fence, do you .. a) take a length out of the leader before the last fence ? … or, b) risk the other horse jumping the last just as well as you and not quite having as much in the tank as you thought to reel the leader in ?

Step forward Davy Condon on runner-up Fisher Bridge in today’s Munster National at Limerick … cantering all over the leader between the last two, Davy chose to hold onto the horse in the belief he had his measure … however, said leader wasn’t stopping and Davy failed to get up by a short head.

Talking through my pocket ? … of course … only a fiver at 20’s but I thought he had the best hurdles form in the field and took a chance on him jumping the fences (he jumped brilliantly by the way) and staying the 3m … didn’t seem to be lack of stamina that cost him the race … personally, I thought he should have gone on before the last when still apparently cantering … but how many times have we said that ?

[robnorth]

I think it can be a case of damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

Comparing two flat meetings I watched recently run on similar ground. Firstly Newcastle’s August Bank Holiday meeting where all races were decided at or between no more than two from the furlong pole. Conversely at Ayr for the first day of their Western Meeting most of the winners were fast finishing types who led close home. I can’t think of any reason why the two courses should produce such differing outcomes.

That aside, some horses simply don’t find much for pressure, even when they are apparently cantering, and it’s possible a ‘confident’ jockey is mentally crossing his fingers and hoping. Others may keep finding something for pressure. It’s part of the uncertainty of the game and its fascination.

Rob

[Burrough Hill Lad]

Yep, can’t help but agree, Rob … can’t say I was annoyed with the jockey as he did give the horse a beautiful ride considering he was a doubt to get the 3m … just think if he could ride the race again he might have done it differently … c’est la vie

[andyod]

Remins me of Dawn Run and Buckhouse. Do you go for another race or do you put him away for the summer? Either way you lose.

[theuphillbattle]

Fishers bridge looked to have been ridden to orders and with the trip a doubt it looked to be all about making sure the horse finished his race.I sometimes think this is the difference between the good jockeys and the top jockeys when the pressure is on getting more of thoose decisions right.Davy surely knew what he had under him and kicked on earlier .

[Author]

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