FEATURE OPINION
It’s not all about the Irish, though. I’d love the Skeltons to have a ‘proper’ Grade One horse in My Drogo, who’s got a fascinating campaign ahead of him after being ruled out the second half of last season through injury. Before we finish, give yourself a good pat on the back. Racing has enjoyed a whole jumps season without any disruption for the first time in three years and that deserves to be celebrated. Each weekday meeting felt like an achievement, an occasion, and each Saturday had a sprinkle of carnival atmosphere. From start to finish, I haven’t enjoyed a season more – and I’m ready to do it all over again.
County Hurdle, coming 12-wide down the hill before bagging the rail and laughing at his opposition under an ultra-confident Paul Townend. Who knows, Honeysuckle may not be unbeaten going into this year’s showpiece. Barry The Butcher’s Point-to- Point form couldn’t be working out better, with second-placed Croke Park going for £400,000 under the hammer to Gordon Elliott. He’s been bought by Sean and Bernardine Mulryan and could make a splash in bumpers or over hurdles this season. Foxfire Glow is another young Irish talent to note, in training with Gordon Elliott. He’s rumoured to be well above average.
conveyor belt at Seven Barrows. Despite his dominance across the week in recent seasons, Willie Mullins hasn’t had a stand-out two-mile hurdler since Annie Power in 2016, and he’ll be hoping to turn the corner imminently with two exciting youngsters. Juveniles traditionally struggle stepping into open country, but Vauban looked different gravy in a JCB Triumph Hurdle that promises to produce plenty of winners going forward. Indeed, Fil Dor, who’s the most laid-back and professional juvenile I’ve seen, looks a natural fit for chasing. And let’s not forget State Man, who took the Paddy Brennan route in the McCoys Contractors
“RACING HAS ENJOYED A WHOLE JUMPS SEASON WITHOUT ANY DISRUPTION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS AND THAT DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED”
14 KALENDAR
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