I said earlier in the season that I thought Ruby had simply outridden SWC in the Betfair. SWC insisted on going up the inside at Haydock and got roasted. My view before the Gold Cup was that he needed to be at least beside KS from the outset. Turn the tables on KS, take him on. He should have been right on the shoulder of Midnight Chase. But what did he do? Kept him at the front of midfield. Then went up the inside down the hill when he should have been moving him out. What was he doing inside Time for Rupert three out when he knows that the rail comes out after that fence so if you jump slightly left you need to jink out to the right to make the turn. That was shocking but you could see it happening. SWC has learned nothing this season. Until they go from the front with Long Run, like Ruby is happy to do with KS, then he will not win anymore Grade 1s. AP said that at the 3rd last he was in trouble. If Long Run had kicked down the hill, Synchronised would have been so far back that he wouldn't have made up the ground.
As for the rest of the Festival, it was very enjoyable. Given how badly out of form the Nicholls horses were, Big Bucks did very well to win. Hobbs also out of form. I wonder has the mild winter created a few problems for the yards. Or has the clean run through the winter meant that some horses were just over trained. They had no enforced break this winter like they've had in the last few years. I wonder were some of the horses just a bit flat.
As for the rest of the Festival, it was very enjoyable. Given how badly out of form the Nicholls horses were, Big Bucks did very well to win. Hobbs also out of form. I wonder has the mild winter created a few problems for the yards. Or has the clean run through the winter meant that some horses were just over trained. They had no enforced break this winter like they've had in the last few years. I wonder were some of the horses just a bit flat.
