STORYTELLING: SHAMROCK reflects on a day of drama on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival and takes on a favourite with his NAP on DAY TWO.
It had the makings of a Dick Francis bestseller so there was no more appropriate winner of the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown yesterday than The Storyteller.
The real story though was not about the winner but the last fence drama and Paul Townend’s dramatic manoeuvring of Al Boum Photo who took Finian’s Oscar out of the race and robbed the pair of an almost certain 1-2 in the Grade 1.
First the update. Paul Townend said today: “I thought I heard a shout and that the last fence was being bypassed.
It was a split-second reaction. I wish to apologise to connections and to punters. I’d like to leave this behind me and move on with today’s rides.”
Mistakes happen in racing and in life but it’s a shame this wasn’t communicated earlier. If for no other reason than to put to bed some extraordinary conspiracy theories and storytelling.
Racing has made so much progress with communication in recent years but we are living in an information age and that information is expected to be distributed immediately.
It’s also about justice not only been done, but being seen to be done to punters who have a vested interest in the reasons why Townend picked up his 21 day ban.
Tennis Grand Slam runners-up are interviewed immediately after the match, no matter how uncomfortable that may feel to them but it’s deemed an essential part of the coverage. You often learn more about the losers than the congratulatory platitudes from the winners.
Racing has experimented with the televising of enquiries. Are we now at the point at which that is now demanded?
My best bet on day two is Kilbricken Storm to prove his Albert Bartlett win at Cheltenham was no fluke in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at 4.55pm. He was a 33/1 chance that day but won in grand style. Next Destination is the obvious danger. He steps up in trip after his third to Samcro at the Festival.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP:Kilbricken Storm (4.55 Punchestown)
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