I pleased with my Melbourne Cup preview as the 4 horses shortlisted came 1st, 3rd, 4th and 10th. Things went rather less well in the Haldon Cup where Captain Chris unseated his rider. In fact the pitfalls of betting in novice chases were also highlighted in the Exeter 3.20 where the two fancied horses Menorah (8/13) and Sam Winner (6/4) leaving the only other runner to come in alone at 16/1.
From the archives.
The big race in Ireland on Saturday is the JNwine Champion Chase at Down Royal. This race has been won by some stars in the past. Beef or Salmon (pictured below) won both the 2004 and 2006 renewals.
“Beefy” had a wonderful career in Ireland winning 10 Grade 1 races. Perhaps his finest win was his last in the Irish Hennessy in 2007 when he looked well beaten behind The Listener as they entered the straight only to pick up again and come with a determined late run to catch his rival close home.
Turf Trivia
George Orwell in “The lion and the unicorn” refers to people in left wing circles feeling it “a duty to snigger at every English institution, from horse racing to suet puddings.” I can’t think why anyone would snigger at horse racing, and suet puddings are certainly no laughing matter!
Picture of Beef or Salmon by kind permission of the artist Jenny Lupton.
ahorse 