OH my. What a week we had at Royal Ascot and there is so much to reflect on.
But who or what has made it into my Good, Bad and Ugly column. Let’s see…
GOOD
This could be the longest column I have ever written if I listed everything, so I’ll cut it down and pen some more in my weekend Sun column.
Firstly, you the people deserve a huge mention for watching Royal Ascot more than ever proving that horse racing remains a huge pull for the public as a sport. Thanks for the support.
And a well done to Ascot and the BHA for getting the fixture up and running. A fine performance from everyone.
Right let’s get to it. Stradivarius. How good was he in the Gold Cup? The answer is awesome, the staying equivalent of Frankel in the Queen Anne.
OMG! And how cool was Alpine Star? I thought she was fantastic for Jessica Harrington in the Coronation Stakes.
Frankie Dettori was Dettori – different gravy. But so was Jim Crowley, Adam Kirby, Kevin Stott, Hollie Doyle, James Doyle, champion Oisin Murphy and Tom Marquand. Even old boy Martin Dwyer wasn’t too bad for an Everton supporter.
Then there was John Gosden, Aidan O’Brien, Clive Cox and William Muir. So much good at Royal Ascot 2020.
BAD
It might be slightly spurious, but some have said Battaash has been bad at Ascot before. But he wasn’t bad this time. And to be fair he’s never been bad in the King’s Stand.
I just wanted to highlight him big-time, as he’s such a credit to trainer Charlie Hills, jockey Crowley and lad Bob Grace.
I got masses of abuse on social media for highlighting Bob is not your average sized stable hand, despite the fact he’s been called Big Bob for years as a term of endearment. I only mentioned it as I wanted others to realise you can look after horses and not be tiny or super thin.
It’s a sport for everyone. Such is the world in 2020, though, that keyboard warriors are waiting every moment to try and have a go at someone for no reason at all.
How ironic that those who type over what is said – apparently in shock over what they consider hurtful – turn into the true abusers!
I love Battaash. He’s arguably the best sprinter on planet earth.
UGLY
Ryan Moore had a mixed Ascot, and gets plenty of stick on social media despite of course being one of the best jockeys in the world.
I thought he could have done better on Anthony Van Dyck and Sir Dragonet, but then again the horse is probably a bit iffy.
One thing for sure, though, is that Moore cares and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I was lucky enough to be standing right next to where the placed horses come in at the Royal meeting, and when Moore jumped off in second place you could see in his face that he was steaming that he had not won.
Indeed, if I had been any closer to the boy he might well have punched my lights out! Unfortunately for most of you I kept my distance. The point is Moore does care. And he only wants to win.
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