Gallant Lad fails to fulfil hopes of a nation
He had just watched, almost disbelievingly, his beloved Limestone Lad fail to fulfil the hopes of a nation as the mighty 11-year-old, with 35 victories to his credit, could only finish third behind the great Baracouda and the up-and-coming Iris’s Gift in the Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle.
Limestone Lad ran his heart out, but the brutal truth is that he just wasn’t up to the task when the serious questions were posed.
He jumped superbly, travelled well, but could never set up the type of clear advantage he often enjoys at home.
He, typically, tried to make all and did have the majority of this field in trouble a long way out.
Indeed, well over a mile from home, you wouldn’t have wanted to be on eventual winner Baracouda at any price.
Thierry Doumen was rowing away, as Limestone Lad continued to blaze the trail in front of a smooth moving Iris’s Gift.
The writing was on the wall coming down the hill, though, as Paul Carberry had to crouch low in the saddle looking for more from his charge.
By now Baracouda was in full flow and J P McManus’ gelding began to make relentless progress.
Limestone Lad cried enough well before the final flight and it was Baracouda who landed in front and then kept going in powerful style to hold his rival by a hard earned three parts of a length.
For rider Thierry Doumen, who has more critics than George Bush, it was a sweet moment.
He rode a magnificent race and was fully entitled to his enthusiastic post-race celebrations.
Meanwhile, in the lonely spot reserved for third, Michael Bowe was attempting to make sense of it all. "I have no excuses, he just met two better horses on the day”, he smiled. "He gave it everything."
Carberry offered a terse: "No excuses, he wasn’t good enough.”
Commented Thierry Doumen: "Baracouda has proved today he’s a true champion.
“All the criticism I get is useless and has no sense, it is being nasty for the sake of it and I don’t listen any more.
"I am always niggling on Baracouda. He is at his best on bottomless ground, because he doesn’t need as much effort.”
Said McManus: "It isn’t often we are cheering for the French. The horse seemed in good form and loved the strongly run race.
"This year Francois (Doumen) seemed particularly bullish about how he was working and his attitude. He said he wouldn’t put me off backing him and, to be on honest, I had a little bit on. But I’ve had more on horses before!.”
Barry Geraghty’s incredible week continued when he teamed up with John Joe O’Neill’s 20-1 chance Spectroscope to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
He is a young man rapidly on the up and the fact he got the best of a tough battle with Tony McCoy and Well Chief on the run in told its own story.
Well Chief was always near the front, but his gallant effort was ultimately doomed to failure as Geraghty powered Spectroscope ahead in the final hundred yards.
Said Geraghty: "I got a brilliant run through the race, he jumped great and winged the last. "I had plenty horse at the final flight and it was only a question of what AP’s had left.
"He is really tough and fought on well, he put his head down and battled.”
O’Neill, saddling his third winner of the meeting, said: "I don’t know if he will run again this season, we haven’t thought beyond today.”
Charlie Swan’s mount, Golden Cross, went off a well-backed favourite.
But he didn’t enjoy a lot of luck in running and was shuffled back at a vital stage.
He was gradually worked back into the contest and, though staying on strongly for third, was never going to get in a blow at the principals.
Golden Cross’ trainer, Michael Halford, said: "I’m delighted with him, he just had a few traffic problems.
"If the ground had been a bit softer they might have come back to him. He was always a shade further back than ideal.
"Charlie said in time he might make into a Stayers’ Hurdle horse. He could improve, he’s still quite leggy and weak.”
Geraghty completed the greatest week of his career when riding his fifth winner, Spirit Leader, and a sixth for Ireland, in the County Hurdle.
As a result he finished as leading jockey and this was yet another masterly display, driving Spirit Leader to hold fellow Irishman, Balapour, on the run in to score by a neck.
Jessica Harrington, who trains Sprit Leader, also saddled Moscow Flyer to win the Champion Chase on Wednesday. Reflecting on his three days, Geraghty said: "This is unbelievable. Moscow Flyer was the big one, but I knew I had other great rides as well. I’ve had a great week, brilliant, superb.”
Michael Hourigan, in contrast, had the type of afternoon you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
It was bad enough seeing Beef Or Salmon exit from the Gold Cup, but he lost his old warrior, Dorans Pride, in the Foxhunters.
The gallant 14-year-old fell and broke a leg at the second when just off the pace.
Indeed, their has rarely been a more moving scene at the home of National Hunt racing than watching Dorans Pride’s lass, a distraught Kay Hourigan, being comforted as Dorans Pride was put down.
Victory went to well-touted Kingscliff, who powered ahead at the third last and then held on for dear life on the run in.
Richard Johnson landed on the four-winner mark for the meeting when giving hot-pot La Landiere a dashing drive to take the Cathcart. Undoubtedly one of the best mares in training, she swept ahead before two out and found plenty for pressure to hold Irish Hussar on the level.
