It seems like every Saturday Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh stroll casually into whatever town happens to be hosting the ‘big race’ with an empty satchel tucked under the arm. Walsh does the business on the horse, and Nicholls fills the satchel with the loot. Job done. Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase, Denman in the Hennessy, Twist Magic in the Tingle Creek…
…and it was no different on Saturday at Cheltenham as Poquelin took the Boylesport Gold Cup.
It was a good race, with several incidents on the way around to keep the spectators glued to their screens. At the very first fence Bible Lord unseated his jock to end his challenge before it had begun. The veteran chaser Our Vic was soon to depart the race as well, as his inexperienced conditional jockey steered the wrong course after heading the field (second time he’s done this too, naughty lad!).
My fancy Tamarinbleu was up there mixing it, before fizzling out very tamely after the tenth fence. Clearly not his day unfortunately.
Razor Royale was an eyecatcher as he made a bold effort to get away a few fences out, but Poquelin always had the measure of him, and pulled away strongly up the hill to the finish. Daryl Jacob aboard Chapoturgeon displayed a remarkable recovery to stay on his mount, but I think that mistake very possibly cost him second place. I highlighted his jumping as a concern in my post on Friday.
So, will Big Bucks give Nicholls yet another successful Saturday when he lines up for the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot this weekend? I will give my thoughts on the race later in the week. What is it that Nicholls has at the moment that sees his string heads and shoulders above the rest? Can he maintain the horses in this rich vein of form until next March, or will they peak too early? Let me know what you think by leaving comments below.
Chapeau!
Before I finish today, just a couple of comments about yesterday’s BBC Sports Personality Of The Year. Even though I am a Manchester United fan and so you could be forgiven for thinking that of course I would say this, but I was so chuffed to see Ryan Giggs take the honours. There stood one genuine ambassador for a sport. The fact that he won suggests many others were thinking the same.
Lives his life dedicated to his sport, so grateful and humbled that he is lucky enough to get paid for doing what he enjoys doing, yet shunning the celebrity lifestyle so many of his peers assume is obligatory. How does he still manage to perform at the top level after running up and down the wing for twenty years? “I look after myself” he said, “And I’m enjoying my football now more than ever.”
I may sound like a grumpy old man, but I wish there were more role models like Ryan Giggs around to inspire our kids. Chapeau Sir!
I was pleased to see AP McCoy have his 3,000 wins and umpteenth successive jockey championship recognised, and as a cyclist, that Mark Cavendish was one of the contenders. Who did you want to win? Leave a comment below.
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