Not what was expected

Last weeks Irish Derby has been a subject of much debate. Aiden O’Brien had the 1-2-3, but the winner was not the one expected by many. Sovereign won the race by six lengths and being an outsider the familiar cries of “FIX” rang out in some quarters.

For what it’s worth, I just think that the jockeys on the fancied horses assumed that, due to the pace set, the front runners would come back to the field. But the winner obviously stays very well, and by the time Madhmoon and Anthony Van Dyck got going this bird had flown. And Paddy Beggy got his second Derby win.

Does this mean the Epsom form is shaky? A blanket finish that day, and a fifteen length turnaround between the winners of the English and Irish Derbys will raise questions. But Japan won well at Royal Ascot and the Curragh race was stolen from the front.

I do hope Ballydoyle send some of their best three year olds to Ascot for the King George and we have a real midsummer treat.

We have to say goodbye to an old friend. Paul D’Arcy announced that Spring Loaded has been retired. He raced forty-one times winning eleven and hitting the frame on another ten occasions. He was not a world beater but the type of horse that we fans latch on to as they run so often, and he earned over £200,000 for connections.

I will always remember his Portland win at Doncaster two years ago. I had tipped him here and he never gave me a moment’s worry. There are many like him in this game and we should salute them.

Happy retirement old boy