Mike Cattermole column following Frodon's Cheltenham Gold Cup trial success
Mike Cattermole basks in the genius of Hugh McIlvanney, reflects on Frodon's Cotswolds win and looks ahead to "one hell of a race" at Ascot.
UTTOXETER STEWARDS AND THE BHA – WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
The decision to fine trainer Henry Oliver £140 for misconduct, because he waved his arms around at the start to try and get his horse Burrenbridge Hotel to jump off, was utterly embarrassing.
It was so stupid and misguided that it left me – and quite a few others by the looks of it – frustrated and exasperated.
This was as bad as the “splashing water-gate” from Epsom last August, which had taken the bar to quite a high level of brainlessness.
Following the outcry at Oliver’s fine, the BHA then made things even worse as it attempted to defend its position, saying that the rule is there for a good reason, explaining “because we do not force horses to race and that they do so of their own free will". Yes, I had to read that line again, too.
So, when did any racehorse, bred by man don’t forget, do anything of its own free will?
From the moment it is born, through being broken in, to going into training, galloping and exercising, jumping hurdles and fences, being put through starting stalls - and all that BEFORE the horse even reaches the racecourse.
And then what happens? Transported to the track, putting the tack on, led round the paddock, cantered down to the start, stalls handlers on the Flat, perhaps a long tom in the starter’s hand over the jumps and then the jockeys, who have a whip in their hands to "encourage", get down to work.
I believe that those at the BHA have the sport’s best interests at heart, even if their actions are misguided. What is crystal clear is that they are lacking any knowledge or appreciation of basic horsemanship and are scared to death of offending anybody who may not have the understanding of the intricacies of the sport in these PR-sensitive times.
This is an alarming and dangerous combination.
Something needs to change and change quickly at the sport’s ruling body because what happened at Uttoxeter last week should not have made any ripple whatsoever.
FRODON’S GOLD CUP BID IS GREAT FOR THE SPORT
Whether he goes for the Gold Cup or the Ryanair Chase, there is no doubt that Frodon has developed into one of the most popular NH performers in the land.
His partnership with Bryony Frost is perfect, as both horse and jockey clearly get the best out of each other.
I didn't think that Frodon put up one of his most efficient displays of jumping on Saturday – he was not as neat or spectacular as he often can be – but he loves Cheltenham and has now won four times from eight chasing starts there.
Visually, he was not as authoritative a winner this time, either, as he tackled in excess of three miles for the first time. Indeed, he looked certain to be overhauled by the strong stayer that is Elegant Escape up the hill.
But the key thing is that he wasn’t – he held on - and I am not in the least surprised to hear Paul Nicholls talking in such upbeat terms about his Gold Cup chances.
Yes, there was a surge approaching the home straight, which took Frodon clear. It turned out to be a decisive move in fact and maybe that "kick" can be delayed for a bit when he has to tackle the furlong longer trip in the big one.
Frodon may or may not come up a touch short but he certainly deserves his place in the line-up. There is only one Gold Cup, after all.
If he is indeed going there, then this represents a great PR opportunity for the sport with Bryony Frost, already doing plenty on that front anyway, sure to be thrust onto the pages of the sports section and the weekend or colour supplements in the weeks ahead.
CYRNAME IS MAKING HIS NAME
Frodon is not the only young horse at the crest of the wave of the resurgent Paul Nicholls team right now.
It was a couple of weeks ago now, but I thought Cyrname’s performance at Ascot, when he smashed up a competitive line-up in the bet365 Handicap Chase, was staggering. Visually, it was the chasing performance of the season so far.
Cyrname was in a different class as he jumped beautifully out in front, getting into a super rhythm and he never came off the bridle as he sauntered home 21 lengths clear. It was wonderful to watch.
Now off a mark of 165 (up 15lb), Cyrname will head back to the Grade One Ascot Chase next month and that might well mean a clash with Waiting Patiently who won the race 12 months ago in such impressive style.
Cyrname blazing the trail with Waiting Patiently living up to his name and trying to keep the leader in his sights. This has the makings of one hell of a race!
What a performance from Cyrname in the Bet365 Handicap Chase! 😮 #Ascot pic.twitter.com/UozlMtvRMb
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) January 19, 2019
HUGH McILVANNEY
Like many, I was in awe of Hugh McIlvanney, who passed away this week at the age of 84.
Reading his articles were both a pleasurable and sobering experience as you had to admire the prose, while accepting that his way of writing was of a standard that no-one could match.
Hugh was a regular visitor to the press room on big racing days and he loved a bet. But press rooms are not the place to quiz someone about their great careers, and the chance to talk to him in some depth about meeting Muhammad Ali in his prime, for example, never presented itself. Never the time nor place and, given his reputation for not suffering fools, I was just too respectful to ask.
Any documentary that had the soundtrack of McIlvanney's distinctive deep Scottish burr was given immediate gravitas
We all have our favourite McIlvanney lines and mine was the swift riposte made to Joe Bugner, allegedly at a press conference, when the boxer said that he felt so good that he could take on Jesus Christ.
“You’re only saying that Joe because you know he’s got bad hands,” quipped McIlvanney. It was perfect in so many ways, so quick, so funny and, of course, so damned clever.
Every proper sports fan will mourn his passing.
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