France, Billy, France, And Some Winners

ALL THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN

(with the exception of the YouTube podcast with Ron Robinson https://youtu.be/CPA2EaFZfFg– if you love your racing, please give it a watch?).

A bit of a racing politics slant to our first subject this week with a list of VERY powerful people in the world of racing signing a petition to attempt to stop France Galop allowing geldings to run in the Arc de Triomphe starting in 2027 – who knew it would cause this much uproar or this strong a reaction? I have mentioned before that I think geldings running is a good thing, but I come from the point of view of a racing fan and would be punter who wants to see the best taking on the best, whether or not they retain certain aspects of their anatomy. On the opposite side (in the red corner, so to speak) are people a lot more important than me but it seems crystal clear their loyalties lie with the breeding industry, though I acknowledge the two are entwined. The petition was started by Henri Bozo manager of Normandy breeding operation Ecurie des Monceaux, who have 14 horses in training, but it took off (thanks to a bit of a shove from Coolmore) with household names such as Aidan O’Brien, Andre Fabre, and Teddy Grimthorpe (Juddmonte) adding their signatures in double quick time, and the truth is both sides make good points. What I don’t like is the idea that commercial concerns feel they can “bully” an entire racing jurisdiction in France Galop, trying to tell them what to do when we all know the reality lies in £s for future stud fees lost if and when a gelding comes home in front. As a huge advocate that the BHA here should be given sweeping powers to run the sport without outside influence the very concept bothers me, and those high up stating it will devalue the race are surely mistaken – winning in the absence of Calandagan et al takes the gloss off a little, surely putting him in his place comes with far more kudos?

Good news next and I fail to see why Billy Loughnane gets so much social media abuse for every losing ride when he has just been crowned the youngest Champion jockey since Charlie Elliott in 1923. A youngster at the age of 20 I don’t really think his achievement has got the recognition it deserves away from the racing pages and if he doesn’t win more titles I will eat my hat. Remembering that he isn’t retained by a powerhouse such as Ballydoyle of Godolphin makes his record breaking feats all the more merit worthy as a freelance, though its odds-on he is snapped up by someone sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, it would be remiss of me not to mention Champion Apprentice Jack Callan, son of “Ironman” Neil, who looks to me the likeliest to challenge those at the very top (given the rides), and although we all miss Frankie for his personality and headline grabbing exploits, the truth is the future from the saddle is currently as bright as it has been in my lifetime.

Getting back to the actual racing and as we suggested last week, end of season results are not for everybody! Some horses have just been to the well one too many times and we saw a few examples on Champions Day as Ascot. Kalpana and Gstaad certainly didn’t run to form or anywhere near it with the first named who “may have feeling the effect of a long season” according to Andrew Balding and the latter “may have been feeling the effects of a long season’ according to Aidan -  similar eh? With sprint winner Almeraq now retired to stud and Kalpana off to the breeding sheds as well, the form of the entire day has a particularly dodgy look about it, and I doubt I cross refer to any of it next season unless I really have to.

Finally, we head back over the channel to France once more, and this time a swathing list of racecourse cuts as they look to get their house in order – I wonder if we will soon by trying the same? It all gets a bit complicated with 24 tracks in France losing the right to thoroughbred racing but some can still have trotting and others are switched to National Hunt only – makes your head spin. Aix-les Bains, Chateaubriant, Cholet, La Teste St Malo and Toulouse will go to all Flat while Jarnac, Le Lion-d’Angers, Nantes and Orleans will only host jump racing. The fact is France has (wait for it) between 231 and 260 courses (even AI doesn’t know) with 132 managed by France Galop and the rest seemingly by LeTROT, but just like here there aren’t enough horses, punters, or Euros to continue as they were, but at least they are trying to do something to right the wrongs and get the sport back to where it needs to be to continue in the long-term.

Saturday Racing

1.30pm Doncaster

I suspect the ground will be a recurring theme for any suggestions on the Flat this weekend with the majority of the form this summer on far faster ground and the task of second guessing who will – or will not – handle the softer surface expected here. As a son of Dark Angel Charlie Appleby’s Al Hudaiba is a case in point having won the Grade One Summer Stakes last time out with ease, but on a far faster surface. His breeding suggests he will not be at his best with so much cut in the ground so I reluctantly pass him over in favour of Aidan O’Brien’s Noble Exhibit. Third on debut at the Curragh behind the highly touted Monogram he has won both starts since by seven lengths in a Punchestown maiden and by a length and a quarter in the Group Two Beresford Stakes where he showed a willing attitude on yielding ground. I am wary of Karl Burke’s well-regarded Burning Up who has won on soft ground, but “stuck record” as it may be, it looks like O’Brien and Moore to mop up more prize money here.

2.05pm Doncaster

Once again we see an Aidan O’Brien hotpot heading the market at a short price, this time by the name of Bengal Tiger, a thrice raced son of No Nay Never who was last seen winning a Naas maiden by 12 lengths after making every post a winning one. The runner-up was a 66/1 shot who has been beaten since, the third a stable companion who has also failed to win so far, ditto the fourth, and with the time over six seconds slower than standard, I am not as taken by the form as the bookmakers and others. Fellow Irish raider Hi Corbett Court sits next in the early betting after finishing second in a very valuable seven furlong contest at the Curragh but at an each way price I will be taking the risk to small stakes on Big Tribe. Mick Appleby’s once raced son of Sioux Nation was easy to back when sent off an 11/1 chance at Newcastle but belied those odds with a half-length success, keeping on well with the short-priced favourite back in third. He looks sure to improve considerably for the run and the experience and will need to stepping up to this level, but at 16/1 as I write (I’ll bet that price disappears before race day), a small each way punt could yet reap dividends.  

3.30pm Cheltenham

It would feel wrong to not include a race from Cheltenham and I will be watching the 3.30pm with interest as I suspect we will learn plenty ahead of the unfolding National Hunt season. A two mile plus hurdle, the field of seven is disappointing with a first prize of over £20,000 up for grabs, but it remains competitive nonetheless with Indian River heading the early betting. If he can repeat the level of his Aintree third he has every chance, but he did disappoint when only seventh in a Market Rasen handicap and I am prepared to look elsewhere for the winner. Lord Byron does need forgiving an unexplained poor run when sixth at Chepstow earlier in the month, but is better judged on his Punchestown second in a much better race, and if he can find the speed for the drop back in trip, he is clearly the class act.

3.50pm Kelso

I have thrown in a handicap on my list for this week but who knew it would end up with just the four horses doing battle – embarrassing, but there is still a winner to be found. The last 14 winners either pulled up or finished in the first four on their previous outing and that immediately rules out three of the field (in theory), so with no further ado, its Dan Skelton’s Mumford’s Magic for me. The eight-year-old may not be the good thing I hoped for as he has to carry 2lb more than his allotted mark thanks to the presence of top-weight Myretown, but he does have race fitness on his side after winning at Southwell 11 days ago, has no stamina questions to answer (that win was over this distance), and runs for a stable firing in plenty of winners – but up to you if you want to get financially involved.

Sean’s suggestion:

Lord Byron 3.30pm Cheltenham