PAT HEALY: This week Brand Ambassador Pat Healy weighs in on the recent controversy around the removal of fences at a couple of Irish racecourses last weekend, and updates us on the trainers’ title race.
Issues with the Sun
In Thurles last Thursday it was the first time I can remember when there was only one fence in the straight, with clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer deciding to reposition the second last fence and move it further back. Then at Fairyhouse on Sunday, because of the sun, the three fences down the back straight through Ballyhack were taken out. There have been plenty of trainers complaining about this saying this wasn’t done “back in the day” and while that might be true, I don’t think it’s fair to be slating Lorcan or Fairyhouse’s clerk Brendan Sheridan.
I think the Trainers and Jockeys associations need to sit down and sort this out between themselves, not have a go at the two men whose job it is to make sure racing is safe for both horses and jockeys. The reason Lorcan moved the fence at Thurles was because in his opinion there had been too many fallers lately, so moving it is aimed at preventing that happening as much – again perfectly justified if it’s further ensuring horse and jockey welfare.
At Fairyhouse, some of the jockeys said they couldn’t see some of the fences because of the shadows and Brendan is not going to risk their safety by ignoring them, so he had to do what he did. It just doesn’t seem right to be having a go at clerks especially when it’s all being done to benefit safety. The Jockeys and Trainers associations need to sit down and find a formula that everyone agrees on while still maintaining animal and jockey safety.
Weekend Racing
Apart from that, Fairyhouse on Sunday was a great success with all of the big guns getting the job done. Envoi Allen did what he had to and although he didn’t beat much, when Jack Kennedy shook up the reins he put the race to bed in the style of a very good horse. Cheltenham is still over 100 days away, but you’ve got to think he’s going to be very hard to beat come March if he stays fit and healthy.
On Saturday, I was very impressed by Monkfish’s debut over fences and it, once again, showed the strength of the Albert Bartlett from last season. It might turn out to be the race of the festival with Latest Exhibition, Fury Road and Newbury Long Distance Hurdle winner Thyme Hill all finishing close behind Monkfish that day.
Monkfish (pictured below) is another top-class novice chaser and that division looks incredibly strong this season with Envoi Allen, Shishkin, The Big Breakaway and Pencilfulloflead all seemingly having the potential to go right to the top. Hopefully they all stay sound because at some point some will have to take each other on and what a spectacle that promises to be.
Trainers’ Title Race
Willie [Mullins] had four winners on Saturday and Gordon [Elliott] had four winners on Sunday, so the two big juggernauts are rolling along nicely. Gordon is about 370k ahead at this stage, but it’s really shaping up to be a fascinating title contest. He’s definitely getting closer to Willie, but as we all know, it will come down to the big races at Punchestown as they are the ones with the real big pots.
