For Harry Cobden it was the moment a jockey dreads. The horse’s stride shortens and what was seemingly effortless seconds previously becomes laboured as the prize falls from reach with the rider left powerless.
Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson have once again sent the heavy artillery for the Cheltenham Festival.
Memories of the foot-and-mouth crisis came flooding back to many trainers as they dealt with the outbreak of equine influenza that has brought racing to a standstill.
Racing will not resume in Britain until Wednesday at the earliest following an outbreak of equine influenza.
BLIND faith is not the most reliable method of selecting winners. However, following Brian Hughes every time he rides at Musselburgh this season has proven to be a safe enough strategy.
IT can be hard to convince some people. Just ask Theresa May.
Lucinda Russell was heading back to the drawing board after One For Arthur ran at Aintree yesterday.
THE final gallop before a big race can be a fraught time. Trainers have been known to fire through cigarettes like a 50-calibre machine gun, the family taking refuge in the attic and the stable cat deciding that this would be an opportune moment to visit the next county.
NICKY Henderson may have reached the age when others could be checking their pension plans, but his plans still revolve around early starts, horses and winning races.
SPOTTING talent is never easy an easy task. Coaches and scouts spend endless hours tracking youngsters most of whom fail to make the transition from youthful exuberance to star performer and it is the same in horseracing.
