Downroyal Saturday

Cantoris said:
Fast enough to have only been beaten once over fences. Today was not the day for Quito. His stamina won it for him, but he wasn't "cooked" for today.
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The word was he missed a bit of work on the run up to the race. Russell's reaction crossing the line had a "told you so" feel to it.
 
Racing Post Analysis:

A gripping finish to this fine race in which two horses all but stopped and the winner just kept going after looking beaten for much of the contest. Top-class staying chasers have been a rarity in Ireland for several seasons now but this race was a worthy Grade 1 and it developed into a fascinating contest.

QUITO DE LA ROQUE never does things in a hurry but those who offered prices up to 279-1 in running must not be too familiar with this dour stayer. He was far from foot-perfect early on and DavyRussell had to niggle away for virtually all the final mile. Even at three out, he looked to have far too much to do.

However, he made enough ground to enter the picture at the second last and at that stage his stamina really came into play. He was clumsy at the last but, with the runner-up floundering, Russell was able to wave to the crowd after leading close home.

The chances are Quito De La Roque was something like 90 per cent here, having had a messy preparation for the race. What he achieved in winning is certainly open to debate but his manner is really likeable and he has to be rated the horse to beat in the staying chases in Ireland. The 20-1 available for the Gold Cup looks fair, as he does not need the ground to be bottomless, but Russellwill need to be at his best to keep the horse in contention. However, he could still have improvement in him and perhaps Ireland finally has a Gold Cup contender.

Sizing Europe, so unimpressive at Gowran, barely gets this trip and he was also taken on for the lead. Moreover, he was a shade keen at times and tended to make slight mistakes, particularly at the second last. He was legless in the final 100 yards and ripe for picking off, though the King George must be a consideration after this. He ought to go well in that.

The Nightingale clearly did not get home after being up there throughout. Generally he jumped better than anything in the race and ran a cracker, considering on this evidence that he does not get 3m. He can be rated a certain contender for the Ryanair.

Bostons Angel was far from out of it when uncharacteristically unseating. This was generally a nice return from action and this chaser remains one of considerable potential.

Midnight Chase was really disappointing, back-peddling when exiting. He is better than this, though shy of the top staying chasers. Rare Bob was never travelling at all and will not be easy to place, while Coolcashin was out of his depth. [JW]

QUOTES: Colm Murphy, trainerof Quito De La Roque: "To win was a bonus. He wasn´t as fresh as we would have liked today. Three weeks ago he had a leg problem and we had to knock the sparks out of him to get here. He had a hard race today, though, so we´ll have to revise his programme now. "He´ll probably go for the Lexus at Leopardstown at Christmas. I´ve never had a runner in that race. The John Durkan at Punchestown could come a bit quick but he´ll get an entry. He´s a pure gutsy horse. He kept going when the rest were stopping today. We´ll see if there´s a five mile race for him anywhere!"
 
Hamm said:
Irrelevant, he still didn't start trying till 50 yards out. As clear an example of a 40 day ban as you will see.
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Visually it looked poor. But the horse found nothing on the run in. Whose to say if it was sent on, and being clinically abnormal, it wouldn't have fallen into a bigger hole? I'm not saying it would, but the "clinically abnormal" is not irrelevant. Maybe Russell was trying to nurse him home. Who knows. None of us are going to ask him, are we? But you cannot view the ride in the exact same light if the horse is fine post race or not fine post race.
 
Cantoris, if he wants to nurse a horse let him go elsewhere. If it's abnormal, pull him up asap, if not, ride to win. He did neither, and he didn't try. He was a disgrace.
 
Hamm said:
Cantoris, if he wants to nurse a horse let him go elsewhere. If it's abnormal, pull him up asap, if not, ride to win. He did neither, and he didn't try. He was a disgrace.
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I take it you never liked Harchibald then, but what choice had Carberry but to hold onto him until the very end of a race.....like the day he won the Crimbo hurdle from a furlong back. Some horses need nursing.

But that's a by the by here. Obviously the clinical abnormality was not so bad as to require him to pull up but if it wasn't clinically abnormal, maybe it would have hosed up with that ride? You don't know. It looked poor visually but if the horse was not right, how can you give the jock a 40 day ban?
 
Whatever about Kempton, I hope today put any notion that Potts had about the Gold Cup out of his head. A horse that finished as tired as Sizing Europe over 3m at Down Royal has no business going 3m2f at Cheltenham.
 
Cantoris said:
I take it you never liked Harchibald then, but what choice had Carberry but to hold onto him until the very end of a race.....like the day he won the Crimbo hurdle from a furlong back. Some horses need nursing.

But that's a by the by here. Obviously the clinical abnormality was not so bad as to require him to pull up but if it wasn't clinically abnormal, maybe it would have hosed up with that ride? You don't know. It looked poor visually but if the horse was not right, how can you give the jock a 40 day ban?
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Because he didn't try an inch!
 
Hamm said:
Because he didn't try an inch!
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Do you think he stopped the horse? Or do you think it was a poor ride?

And then tell me what you thought of Carberry's ride of Harchi in the Champion when he was on the bridle 100 yards out but not in front? Should he have got 40 days too?
 
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