FOR all that all the criticism that goes his way, nothing is likely to make Ryan Moore become an outgoing interviewee.

On the other hand, it will be a poorer day for racing in general when Frankie Dettori is not coming back to milk the applause on a big race winner. All comparisons in the best jockey in the world are dubious when we only briefly see the best in American, Australia and the Far East, but it’s safe to say, that when the pressure is on, Frankie is still the man for the big occasion. We saw it demonstrated on Enable and Cracksman this autumn, Golden Horn and numerous others over recent years. He’s not now on the same volume of good horses as Moore but just as he did in his heyday - keep it simple. If you are on the best horse, reduce the pressure, get in the clear, cover the moves, kick first and more often than not, it’s farewell lads.

No safe homes

THE two sad deaths of good horses from the Gordon Elliott yard, Mega Fortune from a fall on the track and Fayonagh from a broken leg at home, demonstrated again that horses are fragile animals and for all the outcry on animal welfare and ‘abuse’ on the track, they are just as likely to be fatally injured at home as in full flight on the track.

The joy of jumpers

AS the winter kicks in, everyday there seems to be a new NH horse reappearing to catch the eye. West Approach made an accomplished debut over fences while all eyes were on Ascot, and Paul Nicholls’ Capitaine, who ended last season a bit disappointingly, romped home at Market Rasen. On Tuesday, Yanworth looked more like the horse of his novice hurdle season rather than a more laboured animal of last season, when making his chasing debut over two miles at Exeter. Wednesday at Sedgefield saw another smooth performance to note from Brian Ellison’s Ravenhill Road, a Broughshane winner for Steven Crawford in 2016 and unbeaten in three track runs.

Zanjabeel goes west

ANOTHER astute piece of placing by the Gordon Elliott yard saw Zanjabeel winning the Champion Hurdle in Far Hills last Saturday evening. Mind you, he must have made a quick U-turn after coming out the yard gates if you were to read his Racing Post Stable Tour last Monday, where he was more likely to be heading for Dundalk.