Morning, useless racing today so I like the new plan!
For me the hairs standing on end moment was the Sussex Stakes. Richard Hughes had Canford Cliffs right where he wanted him, in behind and stalking. It was like a game of chess as both horses cruised into the straight, who was going to show their hand? It was Hughes who showed Canford the whip before using it, all the while Queally sat motionless on Frankel. Canford Cliffs made no impression on the superstar and then, with a nonchalant flick of his fingers, Queally released some reign and said go. The response was more than I, and probably most of us expected, as Frankel smashed the next best miler in Europe. He effectively won the race in four or five strides and it was very telling to see that a horse of Canford's ability was so well beat he was veering allover the track.
Over fences it was the Gold Cup, when Denman and Kauto took it up towards the end. Ok, so the fairytale wasn't completed, but for that small momment where it looked like we might have the two oldtimers doing battle again, the hairs were up again. There's a classic line from the commentator, something on the lines of "denman, Kauto and Imperial Commander, a who's who of Gold Cup history."
Sports moment of the year, however, was being at Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal.
