IT’S been an eventful old week in the world of horse racing. Take a look at our latest instalment of Hotpots and Howlers, where we pick out the good, the bad and the downright ugly from the last seven days. Howlers Let’s start with a real howler. We all know how important Champions Day is […]
IT’S been an eventful old week in the world of horse racing.
Take a look at our latest instalment of Hotpots and Howlers, where we pick out the good, the bad and the downright ugly from the last seven days.
Let’s start with a real howler.
We all know how important Champions Day is to Ascot, and by extension to the racing calendar as a whole.
But should it have gone ahead?
Officials made the call earlier in the week to switch half the races to the Hurdle track, a decision that had trainer Mark Johnston up in arms.
And he’s quite right – it’s not a Flat track, so it shouldn’t have been allowed to happen.
As it was, the races on the straight course were so farcical they almost weren’t worth running.
Credit to Donjuan Triumphant, but when has he ever been good enough to win a Group 1?
The way in which Make A Challenge faded when looking the likely winner was hard to watch, as was the short-lived attack of Forever In Dreams.
As for Advertise and Cape Byron, they may as well have not turned up.
The same goes for the QEII.
King Of Change is an improving horse, but the way in which horses like Benbatl and Magna Grecia suffered proves it was a case of who could handle a slog the best.
On Champions Day, the best horses should come to the fore.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case on Saturday, and questions should be asked if the ground comes up that soft again.
One howler that caused mayhem came at Wolverhampton on Saturday night.
Sean Davis, who’s had a great season (mentioned below) nearly had egg on his face in the staying handicap at 6.15.
Partnering Yamato, he cruised into the lead rounding the home turn and quickly went four lengths clear.
Still with a massive advantage entering the final half-furlong, Davis lost the plot and eased up completely as Tom Marquand and favourite Falcon Cliffs flew down the outside.
A photo-finish was called and for a moment punters must have expected the impossible – only for Davis and Yamato to be called the winner by a short-head.
One thing’s for sure: Davis certainly won’t be complacent ever again.
Where else to start but with the fabulous Cieren Fallon?
The Champion Apprentice finished his season three winners clear of closest pursuer Sean Davis – but the vast difference in prize-money tells you all you need to know.
Fallon Jr has had a remarkable year and the speed at which he’s risen to the top suggest he possesses plenty of his father’s ability.
With Jason Watson, Tom Marquand and this year’s Champion Oisin Murphy among those to have claimed the title in the last five years, it would be no surprise to see young Fallon get snapped up by a big yard some time soon.
A hotpot mention must also go to Aidan O’Brien, whose placing of Kew Gardens in the Long Distance Cup meant Stradivarius’ reign finally came to an end.
O’Brien said afterwards that he’s always thought of the classy four-year-old as a Gold Cup horse, but wasn’t able to test that theory earlier in the season due to unforeseen circumstances.
If everything goes right next year then he’s sure to be a big danger to all in a division that lacks strength in depth.
Kudos too to the underrated but serially impressive Sean Levey.
Richard Hannon’s talented jockey doesn’t get many opportunities to shine on the big stage – but when he does, he certainly takes them.
His ride on King Of Change was a brilliant piece of horsemanship and it takes something special to get the better of Pierre-Charles Boudot, who had no answers on The Revenant in second.
Levey is a top bloke to boot, and Hannon is spoilt for choice with both he and Tom Marquand vying for opportunities.
