Retired three-time Irish champion jockey Davy Russell shares his views on Cheltenham’s star performer and the rationale for the Pageant’s irritating false begins
This yr’s Cheltenham Pageant was an eventful week, as a giant competitors like that at all times is. The Pageant’s main jockey, Paul Townend, outshone everybody, he actually is without doubt one of the all-time greats and definitely stamped his authority on the game this yr. He has an excellent perspective, a marvellous method about him.
However the unfold of winners actually struck me this yr, it was distinctive – completely different trainers, house owners and jockeys, younger and previous, English, Welsh and Irish, all skilled the Cheltenham thrill. Even pedigree-wise, we had an array of various stallions siring winners.
We began the week with a Nicky Henderson-trained winner, Previous Park Star, within the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and Seven Barrows as soon as once more had an excellent week. Tom Bellamy rode his first Pageant winner on the age of 31, whereas younger Patrick O’Brien skilled Cheltenham success for the primary time within the conditionals’ race and is a rising star.
Beginner jockey Shane Cotter is simply 19, however he’s already shining within the point-to-point subject and his win within the Kim Muir was an actual standout. He’s native to me, and his grandfather Dan Cotter bred an excellent horse referred to as Thyne Once more who I rode. Equally, Conor Stone-Walsh, who rode the cross-country winner for Gavin Cromwell, is a superb expertise.
Day-after-day had its particular person standout second and in each race, there was a brand new story. This yr, greater than ever, informed you simply how open our sport is.
Cheltenham Pageant beginning woes
The excessive variety of false begins was a frustration and the ensuing spat between jockeys Nico de Boinville and Declan Queally in Wednesday’s opener acquired a lot of media consideration.
As a jockey, you’re beneath quite a lot of stress to get one of the best place and after a false begin, it’s extremely troublesome to get again within the field seat.
It’s not like a recreation of snooker, the place you possibly can return to video evaluation and say the purple ball was right here and the white ball was there, and you can begin once more.
That’s why they should get the beginning proper first time, so it’s honest and everyone seems to be pleased. When you’re not pleased together with your place, that’s your personal fault, it’s important to take your drugs.
The argument happened as a result of Nico wished to be again down the within, however Dec was there. No person is harmless of not getting a bit anxious at first and it typically will get verbal. Nico obtained very vocal concerning the scenario and doubtless shouldn’t have, however then once more Dec in all probability shouldn’t have aired his soiled laundry in public.
Ultimately, I instructed that the 2 jockeys shook palms to attract a line beneath the matter – the ultimate end result might be determined by the British Horseracing Authority investigation.
I can forgive them for what was stated within the warmth of the second and I hope the stewards might be understanding of that too. I’d be adamant in saying that, opposite to the way it was portrayed within the media, there was no malice in what Nico did or didn’t say and it wasn’t racially motivated.
So what’s the answer?
The issue is that for the remainder of the yr, there are only a few points with the begins – it solely appears to have an effect on these massive, aggressive festivals. So to go altering a complete system only for Punchestown or Cheltenham is ludicrous. Sadly, although, they’re the place the highlight falls.
At Cheltenham, it’s not the starter’s fault nor that of the jockeys – the positioning of the begins coming off a decent bend appears to be the true trigger. You possibly can’t count on 20-plus runners to come back round a nook in a straight line.
All week, the winners have been the horses that obtained begin and have been instantly to the fore – only a few got here from behind.
I’ve a giant factor about using the flag, too. Slightly than being static – raised earlier than the beginning, then dropped to point “go”, which means for jockeys it’s all concerning the anticipation – I wish to see a extra visible intermediate cue of a waving flag that claims you possibly can come ahead, however you’re not beginning.
By Friday, as quickly because the starter noticed the runners in a straight line, he’d allow them to go, even when they have been nonetheless a good distance again and I feel that was the fitting factor to do as a result of the nearer you get to the starter, the extra anxious the riders are going to be.
I simply hope they will discover a resolution earlier than subsequent yr.
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