Two stars returned at the weekend in the shape of Altior and Native River but who or what has made my latest Good Bad Ugly column?
Let’s find out…
GOOD
Not a difficult column to fill this week, and pride of place has to go to Altior. I wrote at the weekend in my Sun Racing column how quick we all are to write horses off after one defeat or below par effort. Altior showed we should never do that until we are sure legends are a light of their best days.
The thing you have to learn about Altior is that he is never that impressive in victory, and his running style will always suggest he needs further.
But he’s in front at the post more often that not over two miles, and in the race most of us know as the Game Spirit that final surge was a joy to see.
I have no doubt he’s the one to beat in the Champion Chase, and I would have him as my clear favourite.
I advised all punters to take the 11-4 for Cheltenham before Saturday’s event and I hope you did so.
I think he will only shorten up with a couple of glowing reports from Nicky Henderson which I fully expect to come about.
Native River, advised in my columns at 25-1 for Cheltenham earlier in the campaign, also did his Gold Cup claims no harm at Newbury and I love this old fashioned staying chaser.
If nothing else he will give us a run for our money at Cheltenham. He’s so much better off an easy lead though, so hopefully the pace in the Gold Cup won’t be quite as crazy as in 2019.
BAD
The start of the Betfair Hurdle was a total shambles, and while of course jockeys are partly to blame I am in no doubt that the BHA rules are wrong.
Making jockeys have a standing start – which is much harder – when they fail to line up properly the first time is just ridiculous.
Why make something more difficult? I have said this time and time again, but just because things go wrong the first time does not mean you can’t try a walking start again.
A classic example of the ‘we know best’ attitude from the dictating BHA.
UGLY
There were horrible scenes in the Betfair Hurdle when Lightly Squeeze, Mack The Man and Harambe came down at the last, giving ugly falls to Rex Dingle, Adam Wedge and Tom Bellamy.
As the screens went up and stayed up for some time many feared the worst for horses and jockeys.
Luckily this time everyone got up unscathed, but it once again showed the bravery of horse and rider in this incredible game we love.
Falls effect people in different ways, but on the grass in front of the stands watching on was Philip Hide and his kids.
His children were in floods of tears, and while eventually all was well it just shows how this sport can get to you.
The love for the horses and participants by people like you and me is one of its beauties. We care. In any walk of life that is something so special.
