Daryl Jacob: Worth the weight?
Top jockey Daryl Jacob reflects on Cheltenham, questions some of the handicapper's decisions and looks forward to five rides this weekend in his latest column.
We come back down to earth this week after another emotional roller-coaster at Cheltenham and for me it was a meeting of frustration after hitting the bar several times.
Bristol De Mai ran a blinder to be third in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and I thought he might even better that position at one point.
Perhaps people will view him differently now and not just see him as a Haydock specialist as he’s top-class anywhere on his day.
The Grand National is still on the agenda for him but we’ll just see how he is in the next few weeks before confirming him for the big one.
Sceau Royal was another to be placed in a championship race after his excellent third to Altior in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
He travelled lovely throughout and he’s not done for the season either, with Aintree and Sandown possibilities for him depending on how he comes out of Cheltenham over the next 10 days or so.
In the handicaps I had a couple of seconds on Janika and We Have A Dream and both have been badly treated by the handicapper in my opinion.
Of course, I would say that, but is it fair that Janika has gone up 17lb this season without winning? Is it fair that he’s gone up 6lb to 162, effectively ruling him out of future handicaps even though he’s never won one?
He’s been forced into graded company but how do we know he’s good enough for that class when he can’t even win a handicap? I just think 17lb for three defeats is a lot.
And then there’s We Have A Dream, who has gone up 8lb for finishing nearly two lengths behind Ch’tibello in the County Hurdle. Again, that seems harsh. These horses are just not getting the chances to win, but at least he showed something like his best form after an up and down season.
Hopefully, Aintree provide us with some winners rather than seconds, which thankfully was the case last April.
But before then I have five rides at Newbury and Carlisle this weekend…
Rose Sea Has (2.40 Newbury) – I’m looking forward to riding him in the juvenile handicap hurdle for Dr Richard Newland. He was second to Precious Cargo at Sandown last time and I know the Nicky Henderson team think an awful lot of him so hopefully our fellow will be there or thereabouts on Saturday. He has to prove he stays this far and he runs off a big weight but he’s a lovely chasing prospect for next season and we like him.
Golden Hour (4.25 Newbury) - This horse makes his hurdling debut after gradually improving in bumper company so he’s a bit of an unknown quantity. I’ve not ridden him before but it’s nice to ride for Simon Earle and hopefully he can run a good race and learn plenty.
Dicosimo (5.35 Newbury) – I won on this horse around Haydock in January and he’s only off a 1lb higher mark here so I can’t have a go at the handicapper this time! He hasn’t been in the same form since at Chepstow and Hereford, but we know a left-handed and galloping track suits him best so Newbury should suit him in theory.
Battys Dilemma (2.25 Carlisle) – He won his point to point well but hasn’t been seen since as he’s needed time. He goes well at home for Ben Pauling, though, and I’m looking forward to going up to Carlisle for him.
Eau Top (5.40 Carlisle) – I rode him at Fontwell on debut last month and he made an encouraging start to the game. He’s come on for that and we fancy him to run really well. I hope so anyway as there’s a long wait between rides!
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