The Daily Record - Garry Owen

Not very pc

2008-03-21T10:14:34Z

Two things stick in my gullet about Paul Carberry's abysmal ride on Psycho in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival: (a) Had it won, I could have kept myself in Dom Perignon for at least three months and (b) it would have propelled Garry Owen to the top of the Racing Post Naps Table.

As I am sure you are aware PC make a complete *!&$ of it and (a) is never going to happen and (b) well that's another hard luck story!

The Naps table finished yesterday and congratulations to Andrew Barr who seemed to find big-priced winners when I was suffering under the incurable lurgy of seconditis. I finished the table in fifth on £6.16 profit 76p behind my colleague Rockavon of the Sunday Mail.

The last week was agony, as eight consecutive losing naps consigned me to the scrap heap of also rans, just outside the £6,000 prize money, and the glory and prestige of course.

Never mind, the Flat starts tomorrow and a new naps table, so with Kronenbourg instead of Dom Perignon, its head into the form book for another shot at glory.

Cheltenham quotes

2008-03-16T13:28:04Z

I'm still licking my wounds after the Festival and will be for some time. I've never been fond of after-timers, but some of the post race quotes are interesting and some are . . . well, you decide.

TOM TAAFFE: I've never seen a horse in all my time coming to Cheltenham who was more impressive. (Master Minded).

JP McMANUS: I never think much about what I pay for them, and he's worth it now anyway. When you have a winner at Cheltenham, they're never dear. (After Garde Champetre, who cost him a record 530,000Gns won the Cross Country Chase).

DONALD McCAIN: She's no oil painting, there's not a lot of her and she moves like a crab, but she's got ability. (Whiteoak, Mares Hurdle winner).

ALAN KING: This is a huge shock. I've been so relaxed all day for the simple reason I didn't expect him to win. (Champion Hurdle winner Katchit).

ROBERT THORNTON: He's hard as coffin nails. A superb little horse. (Katchit).

RUBY WALSH: That's probably the most ridiculous question I've ever been asked. Responding to Derek Thompson's "Any regrets about not choosing Denman?"

No friend what a loss gets

2008-02-28T20:47:24Z

I've heard it said that a little friendly rivalry is a good thing. Not in my book chum! At present my "friendly rivalry" with Rockavon of the Sunday Mail is on a par with McCartney and the lovely Heather.
The reason for this unbridled hostility is the small matter of 4k to the winner of the Racing Post Naps Competition, (and the glory) of which Rocky is currently top and yours truly is coming with a long withering run into second (easy on the withering please).

There's a long way to go to the winning post, three weeks in fact, so if you bump into me during Cheltenham week and I seem even more Ray Millandish than usual, it has nothing to do with bevvy, but intensive study of the form books, usually leading to a vacant, glaikit disposition.
May I take this opportunity to wish Rockavon all the best with his up and coming naps (aye right)!

Findlay's casebook

2008-02-10T16:25:02Z

Great to see the mighty Denman complete his Gold Cup prep with a powerful display at Newbury. A slight worry for his army of admirers must be the occasional chances he takes with his fences but his owner Harry Findlay reckons Denman can "bulldoze" his way to glory at the Festival next month.
I'm not so sure, and even if he does put in a clear round I don't think he's as good as Kauto Star. Not this year anyway.

As for Harry's crack about the 30-100 he took about Denman "there will be no better value all season" I don't think so my old son. What about all the big prices you hoovered up for the big fella winning the Hennessy when he wasn't quite ready and would come a ton for the run?

Saints march in

2008-02-04T15:55:28Z

Well done Douglas Renton and the St Andrews gang who were up to their knees in Dom Perignon after the Keith Reveley-trained Categorical showed plenty of guts to get off the mark over fences at Musselburgh on Sunday.

One of the best

2008-01-09T20:07:53Z

George Thomas Donald Moore, born Queensland, July 5, 1923, died Sydney, January 8, 2008. One of the best jockeys of the 20th century, the tough wizard from Oz passed away in a nursing home in his old country on Tuesday after an illustrious career.
Right up there with fellow countryman Scobie Breasley, George rode winners all over the world, winning the Arc aboard Saint Crespin (1959) and the Derby on Royal Palace for Noel Murless (1967). He rode a total of 2,278 winners and retired from riding in 1971.

A controversial character in and out of the saddle, George was banned for two and a half years in 1954 for betting against one of his own mounts. He returned to become champion in Sydney for the first time 1956-57.
Moore started his training career in France in 1972 but moved to Hong Kong where he became champion trainer 11 times in 13 seasons (173-85).
During his only spell as a jockey in Britain, George was threatened that his family would be murdered if he did not 'play the game' with thugs who broke into his flat and slashed his clothes. A family man, he did not ride in Britain again.

Who was the best jockey you have seen in your lifetime and why? A pair of club badges for Ayr will go to the best blog.

Guid punting 2008

2008-01-01T15:46:03Z

All the best to Record bloggers, may your trips to the payout counter be many and bountiful. Take heed of legendary scourge of the bookies, JP McManus's words of wisdom: "If you don't get in debt punting, you can always come back."
Try telling that to my ex-bank manager!
Was 2007 a stroll in the park for you? Here are some of my highs and lows!

Superglue award: Ruby Walsh for sitting tight on Kauto Star.

Balls of steel ride of the year: Frankie Dettori landing the Derby at his 15th attempt on the brilliant Authorized.

Most monumental blunder: Ballydoyle for running the one and only George Washington in what's best described as an American swamp. RIP Gorgeous, one of the best!

Bravest performance from a chaser: McKelvey's magnificent second in the National despite being lame.

What might have been award: My antepost Arc bet on Manduro who treated Dylan Thomas with contempt at Royal Ascot, only to fracture a cannon bone and consign Chateau Taylor to the poor hoose for another spell.

Wide open

2007-12-17T09:33:16Z

Saturday's victory by Osana, producing the best performance by a two mile hurdler for the season, throws another spanner into the Champion Hurdle betting works. With the reigning champ Sublimity apparently not 100% fit, the David Pipe five-year-old decimated a decent field with fast, accurate jumping to propel himself towards the head of the ante post market. Compared by Pipe to his old man's Champion Hurdle hero Make A Stand, Osana owned by Scottish businessman Thomas Barr, looks a real contender.

A survey of nine racing experts turned up no fewer than seven different fancies to lift the hurdle crown, with suggestions ranging from Sublimity, through Black Jack Ketchum (Steve Mellish of UK Racing and Racing and Football Outlook) and Aitmatov (Paul Kealy Racing Post Betting Editor) to auld warrior Hardy Eustace (jockey Richard Hughes).
At this stage I wouldn't give up hope entirely with wee Katchit but as the saying goes, "ye pays yer money and takes yer choice."

On the fence

2007-11-19T13:45:43Z

A good weekend's punting for me, and you I hope, with L'Antartique and Franchoek bolting in, was marred by the tragic loss of Granit Jack at Cheltenham's tombstone second-last fence on Saturday.
Cheltenham has taken steps in the past with remedial work on both the takeoff and landing sides, and to be fair, the stats appear to back up their attempts to make the fence more forgiving. Is it a fair obstacle? Is there another option Cheltenham should look at?

A snap survey in the Racing Post on Monday had Tony McCoy, who came down at the second last on Don't Push It last year in the Arkle, saying: "It's horseracing, it's jump racing. I think the fence is a perfect spectacle for Cheltenham."
Paddy Brennan who parted company with Tramantano at the second last on Saturday was more circumspect, claiming: "What happened is not good for racing, for jockeys, for horses or for the public.
Maybe we can all get together and do something better with the fence. It's the same size as the rest, but it's very tricky and comes after a very steep hill."
There's no finer sight in racing than a horse like Voy Por Ustedes attacking his fences, but there's nothing more sickening than the screens being put round some stricken beast. I touched on the dangers of National Hunt racing a couple of weeks ago and the price that has to be paid in the form of fatalities and injury to horses and jockeys.
Do you think National Hunt racing is a fence too far, should obstacles be made easier? Should the sport be banned altogether? Let me have your opinion if you're the Master of the Castlemilk Hunt or an animal rights activist, I'd like to hear your views.

Marx & spencer

2007-11-11T05:00:06Z

On an unforgettable Day At The Races on Saturday, the only thing missing from this Hollywood-scripted climax to the jockeys' title was the Marx Brothers up to high jeenx in the Doncaster paddock.
This was a finale that had everything and like Ali and Frazier trading blows toe-to-toe, Spencer and Sanders both gave it their best shot, with Jamie taking a standing count before levelling the score 190-190 with the last ride of the season.

I was convinced it was going to be a bad day at Town Moor when Bahiano was stuck up at 8's in the first. But that was blubber all to how Spencer must have been feeling when Eddie Ahern fell off Omnicat with the race at his mercy gifting Sanders victory on Incomparable and putting him two clear.
A ship steadying punt on Premier Danseur (evens) scraped home from Spencer on Minus Fifteen before the wee man struck back on Generous Thought (4-1) to close the gap to one and restore the Garry Owen fighting fund to a respectable mark.
Much as I wanted to see Spencer win the title, I really fancied Sanders to win on Borderlescott and he led everywhere but the line to get mugged by Ryan Moore on Galeota.
The gloves were off for the November Handicap and I filled my boots on the nap Malt Or Mash (5-1). Despite Hannon's chuntering on Friday about the ground being too firm for his strapping grey colt, he came from off the pace to decimate a decent field and make no mistake, he'll be a force to be reckoned with next season.
One down and one to play, Spencer stepped into the ring on Inchnadamph (9-4) in the lucky last and I don't think I've seen a bigger certainty in running all season. Waited with (no surprise there then) Spencer took more pulls than the Oxbridge boat crews before putting his rivals to the sword in a couple of strides.
Fair play to Sanders he worked hard for it, but as I said last week Spencer's a real class act. I don't think the Irishman will be going to the well as often next season and Sanders will have the brilliant Ryan Moore to deal with.
Hope you got stuck into Abragante (15-8) at Wincanton, I told you he was a Pipe plot. Even with his penalty he may not get into Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup and could be aimed at the Hennessy. Murphy was brilliant on this bridle horse and its hard to say how much he had up the David Johnson green silk sleeve, but he won with his head in his chest and looks a dangerous horse off this mark.

Wait for it

2007-11-05T13:29:52Z

Jamie Spencer and Seb Sanders go head to head at Wolverhampton today with the baby-faced assassin Spencer leading his rival by three. Friday's demotion from first past the post for Sanders was made all the more gut-wrenching for him as the race was awarded to young James and with the title going right to the wire, Thursday's appeal could be crucial. Who's best in your book?

I believe Spencer has improved enormously since his split from Ballydoyle, maybe a case of too much too soon for him and he's now a much more confident, accomplished rider. His win on Chief Editor at Wolverhampton on Sunday summed up Spencer's hold up, unflappable style. Forcing his mount's head in front in the last stride after being denied a clear run.
There's no doubt it looks the business when it comes off, but to be fair to him he doesn't get it wrong all that often.
Spencer is a 2-5 shot with VC Bet to land the title and in my book deserves it, having ridden a lot fewer horses than Sanders this season. Greg Fairley looks set to be crowned champion apprentice hittting the 61 winner mark for the season at the weekend, 10 clear of Liam Jones and William Buick.

Killing of georgie

2007-10-28T17:51:23Z

Forgive me if my using Rod Stewart's song title as a heading sounds glib or insensitive, or if you think I'm trivialising the loss of a brilliant racehorse, I assure that's not my intention. Racing has far too few characters, far less superstars, and the sport lost a real showman when George Washington's career, indeed his life, ended on a dreech night at Monmouth Park, New Jersey on Saturday. Should he have been racing in such atrocious conditions? Tell me what you think!

My abiding memory of Georgie Boy is in last year's Guineas where, sent off 2-1 fav, he flashed home having been sent about his business going into the dip by Kieren, thereby securing the Garry Owen rent money till Whit Sunday anyway. George clearly had his own way of doing things and O'Brien coaxed him along gently, physically mature, but a little wayward upstairs. His refusal to go into the winner's enclosure at Newmarket that day was probably his way of telling the HQ toffs to bring the trophy to him!

He was targetted at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs last year, and racing over an unknown trip on fast dirt conditions, he performed with honour to finish so close to the mighty Invasor. That was supposed to bring down the curtain on GW's career, with the paddocks calling, but it was not to be.

He returned to O'Brien and another tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic was pencilled in, but it was destined to end in tears. Racing on a saturated surface that looked like Rothesay Beach at high tide, he did his honest, level best until it all went wrong turning for home. Kinane dismounted and tragically Georgie Boy had suffered an open fracture to both sesamoid bones.

Allegedly a failure with the fillies, Gorgeous George will always be top man in my book. Showing tremendous guts to the end, I'll leave the last word on GW to hard man Kinane who praised his mount's courage:
"He did well to stay up. He was brave. He didn't go down. He stayed up on it. He saved me."

No fun in kelso sun

2007-10-21T19:53:06Z

A glorious day at Kelso on Saturday went toes up for me as the bookies had the last laugh when my banker Humourous was disqualified for taking the wrong course in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle. To add insult to injury my agony at losing out on the 6-1 winner was further compounded when Snow's Ride, who I had laid, was awarded the race. As I drove past the Hundy Mundy burial site on the way home I was much of a mind to join the present incumbents!

If you've never been to Kelso, I strongly urge you to make the effort. It really is the friendliest course in Britain. Make sure you drop into the RNLI charity buffet where a pearl diver will get you enough grub to feed a small Third World nation. Many thanks to the ladies for their brilliant service and tip top home baking.
Macorville's run in the Ces didn't help my digestive system though and I think I'll be turning my attention to the National Hunt for any decent punts in the coming weeks.
I'm of a mind to forgive Michael O'Connell on Humourous for taking the wrong course as a total of seven jockeys also missed out the third last after seeing a flag man waving some way after the hurdle. As a certain Mr Hardy was fond of saying: "That's another fine mess . . . "

Bring it up

2007-10-15T13:50:22Z

There are generally only three things that make me feel like evacuating the contents of my guts in double quick time; (a) a dodgy lobster, (b) a dodgy ride by a jockey, (c) a dodgy English sports commentator. Put a line through (a) as I'm right aff crustaceans at the moment, and that leaves a weekend of misery caused by (b) and (c). Still as Meatloaf was fond of chanting "Two outa three aint bad." You might think I'm talking through my pocket regarding (b), well I am!

I feared the worst for the nap Red Gala on Saturday when I heard Mick Stoute talking down the top weight's chances before the race. There's nothing you hate more than gloom and doom from the maestro after you've done your orchestra stalls each way on one of his nags.
I was still trying to convince myself that all was well, minutes before the start, after all did Johnny Gosden not put everyone and their brother away with another Cheveley Park star Pipedreamer the previous Saturday?
Alas I knew my fate and the fate of thousands of other punters who had steamed into Red Gala seconds after the off. A massive punt all week and heavily backed on the day from 7-2 into 11-4 fav, Red Gala was never in the race.
The Racing Post reports: steadied after start and held up well in rear, still well behind 2f out, ridden and headway soon after, stayed on steadily but never threatened leaders. My each way bet WAS seriously threatened and went the way of all others, beaten in a photo for fourth!
Ryan Moore is a brilliant jockey and he's come up with plenty of turns for me in the past, but what the *?3$ was he doing so far out the back? Bad ride in my book especially round Ascot.
I settled down to watch the South Africans play Argentina in Sunday night's RWC semi-final with a massive buy of SA's superiorty on the spreads.
Having heard all the English dross about their magnificent victory right up to the kick off I was nauseated to such an extent with Will Greenwood's slaverings about Wilko/Robbo and co during the match I had to reach for the mute button. Is it any wonder that large swathes of Scotland support any team/person who plays against their cricket/rugby/football teams etc etc. Before you consign me to the Kelvin MacKenzie school of international relations, some of my favourite trainers/jockeys are English! All the best, happy punting IT.

Tough weekend

2007-10-09T14:50:49Z

I'm licking my wounds after a tough weekend and I think I'll need this week's holiday to visit the Betty Ford Clinic and a hastily arranged meeting with the bank manager. Johnny Murtagh goes into my black book for putting up overweight on my Cambridgeshire selection Monte Alto. Congratulations to Johnny Gosden for putting everyone away on Pipedreamer. And what can you say about that man Fallon. Ruthless to the core he left my Arc pick Zambezi Sun up the creek when he made his move in the Longchamp straight.

There was some damage limitation when the nap Mr Crystal won at Kelso, well done Micky, and had a few quid on Scotland to beat the Argies receiving a healthy start and they needed it! I won't get involved in Kieren's high jeenx at the Old Bailey for fear that I'll be hearing from Messrs Sue, Grabbit and Runne. Very interesting trial indeed and I'll be watching proceedings closely. I'd be interested to hear your views on Mr Fallon or any other racing topic you might want to sound off about. All the best IT