Paisley the prince but Buttons is the queen
Paisley the prince but Buttons is the queen
Many comment that the National Hunt season is too centred around the Cheltenham Festival. I disagree as I think it one of the great sporting events of each year.
However, we do have other top days of racing, and last Saturday was a prime example.
Stayers Hurdle favourite Paisley Park, named after a song by Prince, (hence the witty headline – you’re welcome) won his second Cleeve Hurdle. Strictly on ratings he ran 10lbs below his run last year but he was always going to win.
The close proximity of Lisnagar Oscar will have some questioning the form but as Aiden Coleman said he “was taking the piss” late on.
I agree with Ruby Walsh who thinks that we still haven’t seen the full potential of Paisley Park. Hopefully a faster pace will see him get close to a personal best.
Rant
While on the subject of Aiden Coleman’s comment why did Alice Plunkett feel she had to apologise? He wasn’t being offensive. He was just using a phrase we use every day.
It is one of my bugbears. It will happen in the Six Nations as the referees are miked up. It is something we need to accept as part of sport. Rant over.
Santini proved me very wrong when coming out best in the duel between himself and Bristol De Mai. The runner up clattered the third last and looked to be outstayed up the hill.
Santini did produce a career best but whether that is good enough for a Gold Cup win remains to be seen. But he has never been out of the first three at Prestbury Park.
Talking of “horses for courses”, Lady Buttons made it five out of six at Doncaster when she won the Yorkshire Rose Mares Hurdle for the second consecutive year. She is so popular, especially in the north.
Game as anything
She has been beaten in all three Grade One races she has contested but is a two-time Grade Two winner. She is no world beater but she is as game as anything. And she switches from hurdles to fences and back again.
She is entered in the Champion Chase but the Mares Hurdle looks a better bet. If she runs to Saturday’s level, she has a solid chance of improving on her fourth in the race last year. I will not back her as I feel I am a bit of a jinx.
She never wins if I have money on her so I think it only fair I don’t saddle her (pun intended) with more weight.
I was a length away from a big priced double last week with both Fingerontheswitch and Spiritofthegames half a length down at the line. To be fair Ok Corral may have won further had Derek O’Connor not dropped his whip on the run in. But I am pleased that I am back on track.
In fact, I had three winners and those two places in my ITV7 entry. Slate House and Boss Man Fred ran too badly to be true, but these things happen.
I am hoping this is a hopeful portent for March when I finally nail that facespitter.
There was sad news when it was announced that Warthog had to be euthanised due to suffering a fracture after jumping the first fence. There is something about a grey front running chaser that stirs the blood and he was a sight to see.
It is always sad to hear of the demise of one of our equine friends but those closest to him will be bereft. That would have been a horrible drive home for the staff at David Pipe’s stable.
Stellar cast list
There is plenty of quality across the Irish Sea with the Dublin Racing Festival taking place this weekend.
Seven Grade Ones across the two days and a stellar cast list. Kemboy, Delta Work, and Presenting Percy are leading contenders for the Irish Gold Cup. Chacun Pour Soi, A Plus Tard, Min, and Cilaos Emery are in the Dublin Chase.
Good luck all.
