You are telling me!! Sounds like the Knight is off to the auction at the end of the year. Will he make it to a grand?
I know. Genuinely surprised by that. Had to go through 4 bookies to get the money on but eventually managed it. Travels like a wrong un though doesn't he. It's only when stamina kicks in that he looks better than the rest.
So finally- Graham Cunninghams thoughts when I met him last week in York. (This was the night before Taghrooda ran into Tapestry in the Yorkshire Oaks) Firstly, I have to say he was fantastic. He didnt have to speak to us but after a quick photo request for everyone he spoke at length for a good half an hour about racing and answered many questions. I used to think he was a bit of a tit on the television but frankly he was brilliant off screen, and I mean that. Sheikh Hamdan should go looking for Australia with nothing to lose. He asked in what other sport (other than perhaps boxing) could you have the two best of their generation having never locked horns as of yet? He feels Australia is very very good but may never get the chance to show just how good because it is feasible he will mop up the two Champion stakes over the next two months and then be retired to stud. Graham felt winning the Arc would be the real platform to stardom. Interestingly- he says that he has good contacts into Ballydoyle and that they are terrified of SEA THE MOON in any soft ground, although he pointed out that the horses tendency to hang left might ruin his Arc chances should it surface at Longchamp. Graham is very sweet on that horse though. Taghroodas defeat for me personally doesn't change a thing- she needs a good pace and will get that in the Arc- she was stalked and beaten by a super filly. Tapestry has been bred for these races and showed the improvement in distance and also her condition- she looked magnificent at York. Also, watch her Irish Oaks run in 2nd but more imprtantly watch the build up where she sweated, buzzed, jumped and kicked for 20 minutes whilst Cumani found some shoes for his horse. Tapestry wasted all her energy yet ran on to be a head 2nd. She is a serious racehorse. All her 2Y0 form is brilliant and her unlucky defeat to Rizeena over an inadequate mile reads brilliantly now. She and Taghrooda won the Yorkshire Oaks from the rest of the field by 7L- very good form. I asked him about Aiden O'Brien and whether he has been lucky enough to meet him away from the cameras. He said that O'Brien has his hands tied to some extent because he has a breeding operation to run. Apparantly AOB said if you think your press officer has a tough job, try being me! Made me laugh. In all seriousness though Graham thinks that O'Brien will walk away in a few years on his own terms, and suggested that it is Magnier and Tabor who plan the races- not AOB. I found that a bit strange- they really should be trusting O'Brien there. Perhaps that explains some of the bizarre races or non-events that have happened over the years. We spoke tentatively about the National Hunt season and asked him two things- a) Champion Hurdle 2015, and b)Gold Cup 2015. He didnt think Jezki was necessarily a horse to become a dual champion, but he was very impressed in his defeat of Hurricane Fly at Punchestown. He thinks Our Conor would have beaten them all without the tragic fall that day. I do think he could have been special also, given how patient Dessie Hughes was in his preparation. He isn't sure if The New One will avenge his defeat in the unfortunate cirumstances. Gold Cup wise, he thinks it looks open now and went left field, saying that SMAD PLACE has all the tools to develop into a contender. Thats all I could remember the next day
Thanks for popping that up about GC Toppy. Interesting. Funny, I know he's seemingly not that popular with the viewing public I think he's OK by and large. If only he'd shut up about the 'splits' bollocks! Would definitely suggest he gets fed plenty of dodgy 'inside info' though, he was ADAMANT Annie Power was Champion bound all last winter! He'd a mole in the Mullins camp he thought I'd take his O'Brien 'info' with large helpings of salt! Nice to hear he's a nice chap. Would rather sit down for a pint with him than 'Jimbo' McGrath. In his defense at least he's stopped that habit of saying entire paragraphs with his eyes closed that he used to do so frequently.
I'd message them Nass. Worth a go. I've seen them give me back money I really had no right to receive! Maybe that speaks volumes for how much they value a mug punter like me though
False start was called apparently. Annoying as everyone rode a race. Racing shoots itself in the foot so often!
