I haven't heard any news regarding his well being, hope he returns safe and sound. Shame he fell as he was coming with what Derek Thompson would describe as a "good looking run", another day maybe.
What a fantastic race at Sandown - well done Lieutenant Henderson and HM Queen First 3 look smart but did Skelton overdo the hold-up tactics?
It did look that way, he seemed to be tanking and to be in control of the outcome but when push came to shove he got out pointed. Was there a similar one of theirs at Aintree yesterday as well, in the 3 miler race I think, looked to be cruising but didn't go through at the finish.
thx mate! well,yes,he got into a grand rhythm from the off,and showed good tenacity in the end. ffos las,3 05: i liked the way,POBBLES BAY stayed on in the end last time out,and the form looks quite solid.also is he a useful chaser,so could have too much class for these today. sandown,3 30: this features some old foes,but the one,i really like is old LOOSE CHIPS.although he was well beaten on his comeback a few weeks ago,he might have needed it still,and he has a great record at this course.so,with his low weight,cant be ignored,and also very well handicapped..
Needs a lot more practice if you ask me. Still looked novicey at some of his fences and (as we saw last season) he does not have a tactical change of gears. He may well turn into a Gold Cup horse but he needs to jump quicker and slicker and go a proper gallop (even if he has to make it himself). Only a pipe-opener today of course.
I'd occasionally wondered (idly) what Nicky was actually a Lieutenant of. So I had a Google, and it turns out that he's a loot of the Royal Victorian Order. The only Royal Victorian Order I'd ever heard of was 'Put that thing away, Albert, I've got a headache' but apparently his LVO is a genuine honorific thing and nothing to do with luncheon vouchers at all.
Had a wander around Cleeve Hill this morning, the racecourse is looking in grand condition from afar!! Next week should be great fun
The winner looked good, travelled and stayed on really well there. Front 3 or 4 will likely bag their fair share of races over due course. I wouldn't be following the form of it too closely in the long run though or the pockets might be rather empty.
Here's the race on YouTube. Looks proper heavy ground. Nicholls runner Pic D'Orhy fell in the back straight.
Sorry chaps... was smashed off the boards and the yard thought the world of him. Wasn’t ridden right, needed to be forcing the pace as he’s a grinder and Codd got it wrong.... very poor
