IT’S by no means categorical, but most people – including me – would admit William Buick would have been champion in 2020 if Oisin Murphy had isolated from Covid as he should have done.
What amused me, and there’s not much funny about Murphy’s situation, were the quotes from some on the situation.
Will Buick has finished runner-up to Oisin Murphy the last twice
Let’s take Buick’s agent Tony Hind, who was quoted as saying: “If Murphy had self-isolated, we would have won it without a shadow of a doubt.
“I totally disagree with the idea of who’s to say Oisin might not still have been champion. No he wouldn’t have been, it’s as simple as that.”
In the same breath, Hind added: “Let’s hope this year it will be plain sailing and I can do it for William.
“We’ll be working extremely hard from the first day and going everywhere.
“There won’t be a day off where we don’t have to [take one].
“I wanted Oisin to ride so I could beat him fair and square, but that’s just me. I can have that go in 2023.
“I really want to go another head-to-head with him. It’s like boxing, where as soon as you win the title you want a rematch.”
The irony of this is if a jockeys’ championship is worth anything it should be won on riding merit. It should never be won on a technicality or on the back of a rival being injured.
There will be no satisfaction for Buick, for all he’s a fabulous rider and one I’m a huge fan of, if he’s champion this year with no Murphy in the line-up.
Two weeks tomorrow the tape will go up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Constitution Hill and Sir Gerhard and co will go head-to-head in a thriller for the opener.
All those who think Cheltenham is too dominant seem to go very quiet this time of year. Because quite simply, Cheltenham is everything.
Incidentally, SE has a preview night on Monday, March 7 so if you want to come along check out the link below. It should be a good night with Harry Findlay, Kim Bailey and Bryony Frost on the panel. And that’s not to mention former champion Richard Johnson.
Tiger Roll is set to retire after the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham. We know that because the Ryanair owner told me on Sky Sports Racing Sunday.
I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it once more time. For a highly intelligent business man it’s crazy to make that decision before the race.
Should he hack up he could be chucked in for the Grand National, the race the owner thinks he has been given an ‘idiodic” rating.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/horse-to-run-in-colours-supporting-ukraine-in-the-7-30-at-wolverhampton-tonight/
