Ruby Walsh: Why not start Christmas early?
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Thurles and Ascot — perhaps I should include Haydock, too — kick off the Christmas racing this afternoon. The Berkshire venue hosts most of the star names on the show, which is obvious as it hosts the highest-class racing, but the fact that so much good racing will get lost in the frenzy of action after Christmas Day, I can’t help wondering why no one has the foresight to come this side of the big day.
Why would Limerick decide that December 28, in a direct clash with Leopardstown’s Savills Chase, is the right day to stage their biggest race? The only answer I can come up with is that they must feel they are guaranteed a crowd on St Stephen’s Day, so pushing back their best race will entice more people to come on December 28.
Fair enough, but to me, the more logical day is the 23rd, and that goes for Leopardstown, too, whose card on December 29 plummets with regard to attendance. Therefore, why does HRI not utilise that date? Why not look at somewhere like Melbourne, where their carnival is four racing days over eight days, and whose crowds are rising yearly to the point that Cup day is a sell-out, all-ticket affair.
Why does no one in the governing body look at Christmas festivals and think what are we doing wrong? Why are the crowds so poor on the fourth day at both venues? Why has no one even suggested a change or appeared to think outside the box?
Do they believe it’s all perfect and straightforward so we will leave it be? I hope not because trying to reinvent the 29th should be a priority.
This is a holiday period, and horse racing is in the entertainment business. There are too many blank days before Christmas Day, and I don't believe a word anyone tells me about it being for the benefit of stable staff. That's rubbish because there isn’t a stable lad or lass in the country who is not working those days as it is.
There have been some strange creative ideas from HRI in the last few months around what races we should be running, but a bit of creativity to catch a captive audience still excited about Christmas rather than fed up with it in the days after it has passed wouldn’t go astray. Leopardstown’s St Stephen’s Day card and Limerick’s from the 28th would be a great day on the 23rd, giving everyone a two-day hiatus before three days racing on the bounce.
In the UK, the very moderate fair at Lingfield and Fakenham will bring the action to a close tomorrow before all the declarations for the 26th and 27th take place on Monday. Over the festive period, there is a decent scattering of Irish entries in the UK, with star names like Spillane’s Tower and Lossiemouth set to entertain the Kempton crowds.
But, just like Holyhead’s closure has distrusted many Christmas plans, it also makes racehorse travel tricky. Ordinarily, in December, Rosslare to Fishguard or Pembroke would not be the route of choice, as St George’s Channel borders the Atlantic and can be a lot rougher than just crossing the Irish Sea.
Still, with the land transfer from Stranraer being almost double that from south Wales to Kempton, options are limited before you add the Cork, Waterford or Carlow journey to Larne.
I imagine Jimmy Mangan and Willie Mullins will be sea forecast experts by Monday morning when the Rosslare authorities will hold their Christmas travel tickets. If it's a windy morning, Kempton's loss could be Leopardstown’s gain because Rosslare doesn’t allow horses aboard if it is rough, and neither would their trainers want them onboard. Sea-sick horses quickly become very ill, so the first Christmas present Jimmy Mangan and Willie Mullins will want is a smooth passage to Wales.
The Irish runners at Ascot got just that today, with Gordon Elliott maximising his geographical advantage over Charles Byrnes, Willie Mullins, and Henry De Bromhead by going via Belfast. Henry’s Jungle Boogie looks to have a great chance in the 1.50pm, which sees three Irish chasers rated over 150 entertaining an English crowd and ensuring the race wasn't a walkover for the sole British runner, Iroko.
Teahupoo won't be running at Leopardstown next week, but the leading British staying hurdler, Strong Leader, lines up in the Long Walk Hurdle at 2.25pm. I couldn't believe it when I read no Irish-trained horse has ever won this marathon contest, but four more will try today.
Hiddenvalley Lake has a little under five lengths to find with Strong Leader from Aintree last April, but I thought Olly Murphy’s stable star looked like an improved horse on his reappearance last month at Newbury. The Wallpark and Shoot First are stepping up from handicap company and need to improve again, while Eagle Fang faces a huge task, being only a four-year-old.
Only 13 will face the starter for a first prize of £71,000 in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, and Cian Collins sends Impero across in search of a fourth win in a row. He has his chance, but the Greatwood Hurdle could be the key form line, and I like the look of Fiercely Proud for each-way money.
Most Irish hurdles receive a hike in their rating from the British handicapper when they travel, so horses rated 110 or 111 could have gotten a place in the line-up for a shot at a big prize here, and I am surprised a few more are not availing of the opportunity.
Thurles hosts a seven-race card on Saturday, kicking off at 12.10pm with the Billy Harney Memorial Mares’ Novice Hurdle the feature contest, at 1.55pm. The locals are well represented, and Andy Slattery’s Royal Hollow will do her best to hold off Tim Doyle’s Beaufort Storm.