McGoldrick Horse Racing Syndicate Yorkshire

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Fill the Power finds it hard work at Haydock

This was, and always is for its grade, an extremely competitive race, and FTP found it tough going on his second race back from a 542 day absence.

Most certainly the 3ml 4f trip on heavy ground would put his fitness to the test, but, sadly, the writing was clearly on the wall after just 2mls, when he began to slowly drop out of contention.

Fast forward to the unsaddling enclosure after the race, where Danny Cook got off him and said….with beads of sweat dripping down his face….” he was having none of it, so I had to let him know that I was having none of it either”, thus, despite his hopeless position, DC did not give up.

I`m not surprised he was dripping with sweat the way he kept urging on our 10yo, who, eventually began to stay on through beaten horse to finish 6th of 11, and it should be said that the jockey was blowing more than the horse after the race…and DC is one fit jockey, and  I`m glad to report they were both sound and ate up when they got back home.

If, as is possible, FTP had become a little bit lazy after such a long absence, then he`d better realise that DC won`t stand any nonsense.

In fairness to FTP, it could be argued this was too much of an ask for him at such an early stage of his comeback, and maybe for winning purposes, an easier option could have been found.

Plus if I`m allowed to have my own two penneth, I`m not convinced heavy ground is what he needs over the weeks / months / years ahead.

Apart from one easy win on heavy by 18 lengths in a four runner race at Wetherby in 2014, most of his best runs have come on Good, or G/S.

His 5th of  24 in the Scottish National in 2013 for example, on good ground, as well as his last win before injury at Carlisle in May 2015, again on good ground.

So, with the formidable, no nonsense  Danny Cook on his back, together with a bit more detailed planning of race options…in particular the veterans races, there are s still good times ahead for Fill the Power ….of that I`m sure.

In conclusion, whilst singing the praises of DC,  I cannot forget the brilliant front running ride of Sean Quinlan who bossed FTP to victory at Carlisle in 2015. It was classic stuff, and long may both jockeys continue to help bring success to the Sue Smith yard, and her owners.

 

 

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