On a drama-filled afternoon at Ascot, James Bowen was in the right place at the right time in deputising for the injured Harry Cobden aboard Jonbon. However, with that surprise result in hand, Barry Connell, trainer of Marine Nationale, called the Grade 1 a “Mickey Mouse” race, as we view his quotes and round-up all the racing news in our daily briefing below.
Today’s Racing round-up
Jonbon landed back-to-back Clarence House Chases with a resurgent performance at Ascot on Saturday. Nicky Henderson’s ten-year-old took advantage of race favourite Il Etait Temps’ fall and underperformance to land an 11th Grade 1 win and continue his imperious record of never finishing outside of the first two under rules. The win was particularly significant for James Bowen, who deputised for the injured Harry Cobden at the 11th hour, to guide Jonbon to a battling success over front-runner Thistle Ask. (Mirror)
However, the form of the race was not viewed favourably by all who watched. Barry Connell, trainer of defending Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale, was speaking to the Racing Post on Sunday saying “it was a Mickey Mouse race yesterday. It was overhyped by ITV as it always is.” Marine Nationale himself was second on his reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas after making a bad mistake early in the race, but is in “Savage form” now according to Connell. (Racing Post)
A further significant result occurred at Windsor on Sunday as Protektorat defended his title in the Fleur De Lys Chase, which took Dan Skelton’s charge past the £1 million mark in earnings. The 2024 Ryanair Chase winner rolled back the years with a devastating front-running performance in which he outmuscled Resplendent Grey and Handstands from the second last, showing he still retained much of his vigour at the age of 11. (Sky Sports)
A clear new favourite was confirmed for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after the weekend’s racing too after Old Park Star shot to a wide-margin success in the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock. The six-year-old took a further step forward from his 12-length victory at Cheltenham in December by scoring by a yawning 18 lengths over nearest market rival and Listed winner Hurricane Pat. Nicky Henderson’s charge usurped El Cairos at the head of the betting in advance of Trials Day at Cheltenham this weekend and the Dublin Racing Festival the week after. (RTE)
An agreement has been reached between the National Trainers’ Federation (NTF) and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) to promote horse racing for the next two years. The deal is orientated around growing recognition of the inner workings of the sport from trainers’ perspectives, with the RMG promising to contribute towards broadcast costs on Racing TV as well as an emphasis on promoting so-called “smaller yards” throughout the duration of the two years. (Racing TV)
Some pleasant news was announced by the national broadcaster on Monday morning too as former racehorse Sugar Rush was revealed as a finalist for the Retraining of Rachehorses horse of the year award. The 14-year-old had been in training with Michael Bell in his youth before being purchased by owner Daisy Adamson for a life away from racing, since when he has become a proficient dressage competitor in national championships. (BBC)
Lastly, Goshen, a horse who endeared himself to so many racing fans over the years, has been retired by Gary & Josh Moore. The ten-year-old infamously threw away the 2020 Triumph Hurdle when unshipping Jamie Moore after the final flight, with two of his horseshoes getting caught up among each other. Since then, he has become an enigmatic, yet extremely talented hurdler, winning three times at Grade 2 level and finishing second in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in 2022. He concluded his career at Sandown last month. (Sporting Life)