HORSE OF THE WEEK

We’ll be fair to both codes and divide it between flat and National Hunt this week as there were two fine servants that deserved credit.

It’s a tie between Dundalk winner Aussie Valentine, six wins and 16 placings from 41 runs, and the retiring 13-year-old Hidden Cyclone with his 17 wins and numerous fine runs at the top level. He wasn’t the prettiest, but anyone would be proud to own him.

Aussie good

THE fast information on any training setbacks or injuries from horses preparing on the track for the upcoming big races – e.g. after Cross Counter suffered a laceration sustained working, it was conveyed that he has been restricted to light walking duties. A major contrast to John Gosden barely mentioning Enable’s now “touch and go” path to the Arc.

Aussie bad

THE need to rename horses with a slightly different word or form of their name is becoming annoying for the well-known European runners gone down under. The CliffsofMoher, The Taj Mahal, A Prince of Arran, now comes the news that Yucatan is to become Yucatan Ire as his official name almost seemed like an April Fool.

There are apparently horses already registered with the names, but surely they could be let stand.

Stallion promotion

GALILEO would not be the first sire name to come to mind with a winner of the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes. Havana Grey (Havana Gold (Teofilo) - Blanc De Chine, (Dark Angel), who will enter stud next year at Whitsbury Manor Stud.

So fair play to the advertising blurbs.

“He’s the fastest horse from the Galileo sire line, and combining that with his dam by Dark Angel, it makes him a very exciting sire to send fast, commercial mares.”

Whatever you do, get the Galileo in.

Changed times

GODOLPHIN jockeys, James Doyle and William Buick riding for Ballydoyle along with Qatar regular Oisin Murphy, at Champions Day today at Ascot.

We all stand together.

What Khan he do?

Interesting to see Gordon Elliott’s Mengli Khan ready for a novice chasing campaign. After last year, would you feel too secure, going flat out to the second last? Are you there Ted? “Out through the bloody wing. What a stupid horse to do that! Is he brain dead! What a clown.” Eyes down.