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Davy Russell there gave his horse far too much to do. Why did he give Mullins such a big lead and then ask far too much of his horse.
Cannot understand why jockeys continue to ask so much of there horse.
Similar to the ride my McCoy on Belvano at Kempton (I know the winner won at Cheltenham) but even McCoy gave his horse an un nessecary amount of ground to make up.
Seems to be a reocurring theme even with the senior jockeys.
Russell got that beat, not the horses fault..
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I have never ridden a horse so obviously its all too easy for me to criticise but from a viewing point of view its just mind boggling why jockeys sometimes give their horses uphill tasks when there simply is no need.
Russell got that beat, not the horses fault..
I could not disagree more to be honest. The best horse won on all known form and the way the race panned out. The have finally figured out that Cadspeed jumps and travels better when allowed to bowl along in front. Gates of Rome, on the other hand, seems to be better held up and delivering one challenge, which he has got away with on bad ground but it’s not as easy on decent ground.
I don’t usually time jumps race, but I went through my (hand) sectionals, and even though I have no bench to compare today race to, it seems Mullins went plenty quick enough in front. Russell came to win his race, wasn’t good enough, and dropped away while the winner won going away even after hitting the last.
I rarely defend Russell and he does plenty of very odd things, but, in my view he did absolutely nothing wrong on Gates of Rome.
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Ok thats fair enough, for me when asked to pick the leader up down the back straight Gates of Rome made up ground rapidly, very impressively, not suprisingly however he could not raise a second effort when asked to challenge, the horse had used most of its energy closing down a 15 length lead.
I would have to disagree, Fair enough to hold a horse up but not to that extent.
I stick with my view, Russell got that horse beat.
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I suppose we all make mistakes…. Just epxected more from such an experienced jockey like Russell
I’ve not seen today’s race you mention, Joncol – but I’ve seen the novice hurdle at Kempton a number of times.
When the horses come round the final turn at Kempton, Bellvano is about 1 1/2 to 2 lengths down on Menorah. At the approach to the 2nd last McCoy is probably about half a length down.
I’m not really sure what McCoy could have done differently to change that result on Boxing Day.
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Well going down the side of the course McCoy asked Belvano to make up 8 lengths on Menorah so hardly suprising he could cut down the lead in the home straight.
I felt it was OTT in terms of hold up tactics. Belvano certainly didnt have to be held up the way he was that day. Theres a patient ride and then theres trying to showboat…
To be honest I was at Kempton and backed Bellvano and I think it was just plainly not good enough!!!
As we have seen since Menorah is a tough nut to crack and I am not one of AP’s greatest fans but saw nothing wrong with his ride on Bellvano that day!Well I thought the Free Handicap today was a prime example of rubbish jockey. Call it pocket talking if you wish (I backed Fremont), but I can’t understand how Group 1 jockeys can let a 6f speedball like Red Jazz set a dawdling pace and let him kick on. It reflects badly especially on Richard Hughes IMO, who was closest to the pace.
But races like today are just a prime example of why hold-up jockeys like Ryan and Jamie are completely screwed if there’s no pace on. The amount of energy they need to get their mount to the front is basically a race-killer.
There was nothing wrong with Russell’s ride today. What the race did demonstrate is the amazing effect of a win on a horse. From being the biggest hound in training Cadspeed had every opportunity to dog it today but found plenty: Cadspeed’s connections can thank Ruby for his enterprising ride at Leopardstown which has obviously transformed the horse. From memory Rough Quest was very similar until finally getting his head in front then went on to place in a Gold Cup and win a National.
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Agreed! Noting wrong with Davy Russell period.
One of the best in the busines.s
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