Ruby Walsh: HRI need to avoid clashes at pattern level

I believe Enable will defend her King George crown today, writes Ruby Walsh

The runners return to the unsaddling area after the Pencil Hill Handicap Hurdle won by Pilbara and Patrick Mullins (light blue) at Cork last night. Picture: Healy Racing

I got it wrong last week when I thought normality would be restored on a competitive level to horse racing today. I simply forgot the Tattersalls Gold Cup, normally run at the Curragh on Irish Guineas weekend at the end of May, has been rearranged for this Sunday, thus putting it in direct competition with this afternoon’s King George V and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Some might argue that the Curragh and HRI could have given greater consideration to the overall program in terms of clashes at pattern level, and especially at Group 1 standard, but I am sure that owners and trainers will argue that the race deserves its place in calendar and HRI will say this was the most obvious slot.