Definitely bungled it. His raceriding was blatantly exposed on the bend. On apparently the best horse in the race he allowed himself to be bustled back from 3rd to last coming into the straight.
As regards jumping Nico should go back to black and white TV to watch the riding of a horse called Baulking Green in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He was always a 1/4 to 1/2 length ahead of his nearest pursuer. He always jumped imperiously while the pursuers made mistake after mistake because they took off at the same time as him. The key was that BK always set the jumping rhythm and the others jumped to his tune. If you're on the best horse ride him as if he's the best horse.
Probably the most famous Hunter Chaser ever.
