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why?
Christian Williams rode him when he won at donny last time out and Sam Thomas rode Medicinal to win last time out at Haydock.
No point changing what isn’t broke a.
Well as to any financial agreements between the pair I can not comment, obviously you are in a better position than myself.
The suggestion he is not part of the ‘team’ I would find rather ignorant. As far as I am aware he regularly schools and rides out for Nicholls and rides where Ruby can not. If he wasn’t part of the team surely he would be passed over for more high profile jockey more regularly and have fewer than 1/4 of his rides.
Nicholls
public
treatment of Thomas has simply been unprofessional in my view. What is done behind closed doors is their business but thats exactly where any criticism, constructive or not should be dealt with between them.
Grasshopper
Of course Nicholls has a right to speak his mind and people want to hear trainers, jockeys etc being direct.
It’s another thing openly criticizing a member of your team. Racing revolves closely around a team from stable staff right to the top. If one is being made to feel belittled every time the leader of this team steps before a camera they are bound to feel devalued to the operation.
Maybe this is Paul Nicholls way of encouraging Sam Thomas, every persons psychology varies and in sport where confidence is a premium people react to different forms of criticism. I can’t imagine this is the way to go with Sam Thomas though, of course i don’t know the man so i could be wrong but he is a young jockey who is number 2 to one of the best there is and involved in one of the biggest NH operations going, he has so much too live up to i can’t imagine it is of any benefit to the man.
Paul Nicholls has always struck me as an ego-maniac anyway and I don’t think he has a clue how to manage people. He won’t say a bad word about Ruby because he hasn’t got him in his pocket where as Sam Thomas is exactly that.
Wouldn’t read to much into it
Looks like it’s just where the runs have been
For instance last week there were only 2 at beautiful Hereford and Ruby was on them both. Then there we no runners for Nicholls until the Cheltenham Saturday and Ruby was there and Thomas was at Doncaster, didn’t ride Big Fella Thanks, but did ride Gullible Gordon and they were the only runners there.
3 at Kempton and Ruby rode them all and 4 at Taunton and Ruby was there again
The week before Sam Thomas rode Mahonia and Opera Mundi at Haydock while Ruby was at Ascot…
In Sublimity’s case I’d say the soft ground had a lot more to do with the defeat than any infection he may or may not have had
I’m pretty sure an infection which effected the horses respiratory system would have had a very meaningful effect on the horses performance to race to the best of his ability.
Fair enough
I only echo the question because i am not all to aware of the process but thanks for clearing it up
Certainly doesn’t sound pleasent!
Interesting topic
Didn’t David Pipe scope Ashkazar before the Greatwood?
I don’t know the ins and outs of it by any means but it would seem logical to see a horse is ok before the race rather than finding out after.
Sublimity although into his 4th season over hurdles has had only 11 runs, it’s feasible to say we may not have seen the best of him yet, his last run was superb and he’ll be spot on today, i see no reason why anything will turn the form around from the last race.
Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca can’t seriously be considered in my eyes, they aren’t going to improve now and unless sublimity is off his game they will struggle.
Beau Michael and River Liane have too much on their plate early in their career here i feel and if there is one else it should be Murihead who has shown more than that pair to date for a lightly raced hurdler. The general 7/2 now though doesn’t look attractive.
It’s simply so hard to get away from the big two. Joe lively game and entertaining today but in a race where conditions haven’t suited many in behind and they’ve plenty to prove i can’t take it seriously as a race worthy of winning a gold cup. Wouldn’t even consider placing him as I know I’d be backing him to finish third.
Punchestowns was favourite Gaz.
My opinion before the cleeve was the past 3 mile form seems done. I’d be more interested in the new breed personally.
There is only so long stoke can kick people at home with out adding up the suspensions
I see Ashram has been purchased by the big blue machine which is hardly surprising. Interesting to see how much improvement he has for the change. He struck me as an individual who would need the experience of every race at 2. I think his dewhurst run was pleasing and he’s probably at this point Godolphins leading hope for the Guineas? I just wonder though if a mile would be as far as he will get and could be on the edge of limitations. Currently 25/1 generally though
Yeah maybe temperament is an issue i wouldn’t rule it out yet. We’ll learn more the more he races i guess
I just don’t think he’s exactly laced with stamina. The two who went on for 1 and 2 are well proven over 2 and a half miles and would suggest stamina was the order of the day. He’s only won at the minimum in this country and has yet to prove he can stay beyond the minimum and for me that is his issue.
I think he is a minimum trip horse Zippy simply. 16f speed track surely would be the best option for him.
If you wish to believe everything a trainer says go for it
Heavy ground is one thing, he’s only had 1 run in a poor race which he won in a canter so that wouldn’t tell any stories
He’s won twice on soft ground over hurdles including a champion hurdle and placed the other time to Punjabi by a head who had him cooked on their form lines anyway and was also 1/1 on soft in a listed race on the flat. Certainly not the profile of a horse who doesn’t handle softer conditions. He’s been beaten every time on a better surface over hurdles.
I don’t think they should deny him taking his chance if it comes up testing as i believe all ground comes the same to him
