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Brennan, Moloney and O’Regan? I wouldn’t even consider them, let alone pay to utilise their services.
Graham Lee perhaps isn’t so much underrated as completely wasted; I can’t for the life of me work out why a jockey of his ability is satisfied riding for someone like Ferdy Murphy. The same is true of Richie McLernon and his association with Jonjo O’Neill.
Noel Fehily certainly doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but the jockeys I’m most keen on – Ruby Walsh aside – are generally up-and-comers. Aidan Coleman, Rhys Flint, Felix De Giles, Lee Stephens, Peter Toole, Paul Townend and Ryan Mania all continue to impress, with more established names such as Dominic Elsworth, Dougie Costello and Jason Maguire also worthy of mention.
Can I add to your up and comers Ewan Whillans son of Hawick trainer Alistair and look out for Adam Wedge and young amateur Tom Cannon who is getting a good few rides. I was at Northaw in May when he rode a nice four timer and better judges than me noted him that day
In October 1964 Mr and Mrs Bell took their son to Carlisle races for a birthday treat and then took him one day to Kelso races where he stood in wide eyed wonder by the big ditch past the grand stand at the colour and thrill of horses jumping fences and hurdles at speed.
That was me and I ran about daft in the silver ring as well, of course I did, but I became hooked on the game.
You should see them at point to points, often kicking a ball about during races but not getting in anyones way and having a great time especially at a hunt run meet when hounds are paraded and they all flood into the parade ring to meet hounds and horses. They all come away with a big smile on their faces.
For goodness sake encourage children to come, make it interesting for them by showing them the horses and saddling up and the rest. There are bad kids of course, but just as many in my branch of Morrisons on a Friday.
Shame about that. Saw him win at Cottenham and Kingston Blount last season and was shaping into a nice prospect.
A great man no doubting that at all. To train Dawn Run on the one hand and Hurry Harriet to beat the mighty Allez France in the Champion Stakes. that puts him up there with the best.
Jim Bolger put him in the same sentence as Vincent O’Brien, Paddy Prendegast and Tom Dreaper. Say no more really.
We use the word great or genius or legend so lightly these days when they are quite inappropriate, but in this case they can be rightly applied to Paddy Mullins the quiet legend of Irish Racing.
I always thought it was the accepted view that Wayward Lad never quite got the trip up the Cheltenham hill in the Gold Cup. Just look again, is she quickening or is he emptying out. The latter, in my view.
Would the weight Dawn Run was getting due to being a mare, ie 5lbs, have made the difference and is this being taken into account on the betfair side of things.
I hope Hanagan wins it. He comes across as very personable and intelligent and is an absolute grafter which is what the champion jockey should and is exemplified in AP McCoy.
I share the opinion already expressed earlier in this thread, that if it was certain other jockeys like a certain Mr Dettori or Ryan Moore we would not be having a discussion about how it is decided. The campion jockey has always been decided on the number of winners under both codes. Leave it alone, for goodness stop trying to change everything. Not all change is good change. This would be a diabolical one.
As Frankie Howerd would have put it: "Oh Pleeeazze!" This continual sniping between jumpers and flatters is tedious, even when leavened with (something like) jocular good humour.
It’s about as sensible as trying to prove a rich Beef Wellington is superior to an exquisite
Tarte au Citron
. It’s all a matter of taste. So why praise one by disparaging the other?
It’s been a rich and absorbing flat season. It will be a fascinating jumps season, with change in the air. No other country in the world, Ireland excepted, can offer such a varied racing feast. Celebrate it.
Pinza, can I have smoked salmon, followed by the Beef Wellington and then the Tart au Citron washed down with a decent Rose and then a glass of vintage port and a nice mature Shropshire blue. Yummy!!!
It was a superb ride from a champion jockey around a nightmare of a course governed by Stewards worse than the muppets that ruin our races! Today was one of the greatest achievements in my racing life but was soon to be an anti-climax when the French stewards took over half an hour to state the obvious!
Workforce
will now go down as a great because he has won The Derby and The Arc and i"m delighted to say so!
Just to add my tuppence worth, I agree with every word of that. Ryan Moore is rapidly becoming the real deal in the saddle for the big occasion. He has a sensible head on his shoulders. As for the horse he lightened up what has been, for me, a lifeless Flat season and hope he stays in training next year as there is clearly more to come from him.
I think that the Beeb’s attitude towards racing and other horse sports is summed up at the end of the golf highlights over the last couple of days.
Yesterday all the upcoming BBC sport for Sunday was mentioned, the Moto GP, The Rugby League Grand Final highlights (on after the Arc), Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony – didn’t think much of their coverage of that when I picked it up after the Arc- and also some documentary about why England don’t win the World Cup. Not a word of their coverage of the racing.
Today no mention of their daftly scheduled coverage of the World Equestrian Games three day event from 1pm to 2.15pm tomorrow afternoon. Especially since Britain has won the Team Gold Medal and William Fox-pitt the individual silver. Well done them and a strong racing connection as Mr Fox-Pitt is husband of Alice Plunkett of Channel 4 fame, Tina Cook’s maiden name is Gifford, daughter of Josh, sister of Nick and actively involved in the Findon yard, and Yogi Breisner maiestro trainer of the eventing team is also used by many jumping trainers to fix bad jumpers.
Thought the racing coverage was poor. Agree with Cormack on Jim McGrath. I am a rubbish race reader but even I spotted Workforce coming through. There was the inevitable interview with Frankie which had another unfair dig at Ryan Moore and his quietness. They don’t seem to be comfortable with his natural reticence and were reluctant to admit to the great ride he had given the winner as Sir Michael graciously pointed out.
Something that has been missed here is also the question of TV coverage. It will probably be on the BBC as C4 won’t bid for it, despite somebody at either Ascot or R4C thinking that the coverage will be competed for. It won’t.
My concern is this: if it is the BBC then exactly which channel are they going to put it on. If it is such a big meeting then surely R4C and Ascot will have to insist that it is on BBC1. One wee snag with that. The equivalent weekend this year will feature an F1 Grand Prix. The Beeb have never shunted any of their coverage of the cars to BBC2, so we could realistically be looking at the so called "Champions of British Racing" being on the minor channel as was last weekends QEII meeting and presumably Sunday’s Arc coverage (are the BBC actually covering it. That is my problem with BBC racing coverage. What little we do get from them is tucked away on 2 except for the National, The Derby and The King George. Even the Saturday of the Royal meeting missed out this year.
Has this issue actually been addressed because it jolly well needs to be as main channel TV coverage is essential to its marketing for next year and as a promotional tool for following years.
A horse that disappointed me again yesterday as he did in the Derby, is Ted Spread. Went out like a light after tracking the pacemaker early on. Carried his head and tail in odd positions looking like something was hurting him. May be those who have worked in stables who are better judges than me on such matters (most people are) could have a look at the replay and give an opinion.
He looked a decent sort when he won at Chester, but not a thing since. Might be another chaser to come out of the race along with the winner when he gets sorted out.
That’s the one. Had an idea it was 40s not 50s
Another handicap chase debutant punted from a think-of-a-number mark, having produced virtually no rateable Rules form
Anyone know if the NH handicappers a) have access to Points form, and b) consider it when asked to rate a horse of the Gaining Ground type
They’d have to Drone, there are actually two handicap hunter chases during the season at Newton Abbot and that end of season Aintree evening fixture. A new innovation that is not universally popular among the fraternity as it is seen as a bit pointless(if you will pardon the pun)as some areas are stronger than others and you could easily run up a sequence in one of the weaker areas like the South East for instance with a decent type. Incidentally before the South East brigade get on to me. I love the racing in the South East especially at Charing, Detling, Godstone and Penshurst which have great atmosphere, are well run and are picturesque. Worth noting the dates when the pointing fixtures come out.
I’m a chartered librarian of 12 years’ standing, and I’m so passionate I positively
throb
.
gc
Actually, I’ve just sent Mr. Grayson a video that I’m sure will make him throb even more positively than usual!
(Don’t worry – it’s just last Sundays Quakenbrueck Lake Race!!).
Hey Darren, what about the rest of us. I’d love to see the Quakenbrueck Lake Race as well, any chance of a link from the site mate?
Racing is about passionate and enjoyment, without that you might as well have a day at the library.
Tsk. Tsk. For the record, I’m a chartered librarian of 12 years’ standing, and I’m so passionate I positively
throb
.
gc
In an understated intellectual sort of way my friend. No doubt the prospect of a looming point to point season and the delights of Hackwood Park, or in my case, Charing and Kingston Blount, get the throb going even more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IVojgjGfHQ
I have just finished making the video of Rummy and Paul Pickard you can see him move, I hope you all enjoy it
Excellent, always loved coloureds they compete at just about everything else bar racing so lets hope this comes off. I do remember being at Towcester one day and there was a coloured ran in the bumper, ran well too without winning.
There have been some good eventers that were coloureds, Lorna Clarke (nee Sutherland) was 8th at Badminton on Popadom a fine Skewbald in the late 60s and I think won a team gold at the world championships at Punchestown about 40 years ago. There are all sorts of coloured cobs in the show ring, but thye don’t seem as popular among the top show jumpers. Three of my four trips round Langholm Common Riding were Skewbalds. They are usually tough and sound so very good luck with that.
All that and the start of the point to point season at the end of November. Anyone for Cottenham.
For goodness sake give him a break. Soldiers might have indeed backed Wootton Basset. I don’t see the problem with the chap. He is what he is, a bit daft (no harm in that, so is McCririck), but expert at talking to a crowd and as a compere. Chatted to him one day at Towcester, could have been more accomodating or nicer despite a busy day.
Isn’t it about time we stopped having a go at the likes of Tommo. After all which of us could do a better job, I know I can’t.
