Retirement looks a formality for battling Baracouda
On a day which in itself has become as controversial as anything that has happened on the storied Prestbury Park track, it was poignant to see another great champion failing to gallop beyond Father Time no matter how honourable his efforts in defeat in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
Like Moscow, Baracouda finished fifth and now his trainer Francois Doumen and owner JP McManus will take a few days to decide whether or not he will continue his distinguished career.
Doumen, one of the more emotional characters in this, the toughest of sports, bore defeat well, but he said the eleven-year-old's future was undecided after he had failed to finish in the frame for the first time in five attempts two of which he won.
"He ran a good race today but having been first or second so many times, I feel sad today," the almost tearful Frenchman said. "Now we will have to see about his future it is too soon to make a decision."
The owner concurred, saying he had not discussed Baracouda's future with Doumen, although he added that he thought it "obvious" the horse was past his best. "He loves his racing and enjoys it and I'm very proud of him, but I don't think straight after a race is the right time to decide."
His title was pilfered yesterday by Alan King's My Way de Solzen who, as far as the Irish contingent were concerned, ruined not only a lot of people's potential earnings, but also spoiled a bloody good story as well.
He beat Michael Halford's Golden Cross by a head, but that was not the story. The story was that Golden Cross was being ridden by top flat pilot Johnny Murtagh, who was bidding to become the first jockey to cross codes to National Hunt racing and win a championship race here.
Some curmudgeons suggested afterwards that had a regular jumps jockey been on board, the horse might have won, especially when many felt the horse had been "intimidated" on the run-in before coming up short, but Halford himself was diplomacy personified.
"There were no hard luck stories there," he said. "I thought he was there and it really was a case of being so near yet so far. It was a great effort on both their parts and while I'd have been thrilled if he'd won, it was a great effort."
There was little doubt among seasoned observers that Robert 'Chocolate' Thornton had 'squeezed' Golden Cross on the run-in and there were fleeting thoughts a stewards' inquiry might be called such was the closeness of the eventual result.
"Johnny said that in another few strides he might have got there," Halford said, "but there was no inquiry called and it was a brave effort. Johnny puts his heart and soul into everything and he doesn't like being second."
The jockey himself said he was "sick" at the result. "I haven't felt as sick in a long time. I thought I had it I jumped the last well and really thought this horse was going to win. It was heartbreaking.
"I gave him a few smacks and he stuck his head down and galloped on and so nearly got there. In another stride he'd have won."
Murtagh's future as a jump jockey is now undecided and last night he headed to Dubai to resume his career on the flat.
"I've had a brilliant time and I'll have to chat to Mr Halford about whether I ever do it again," he commented.
For the punters, however, yesterday was something of an up and down day, but nothing like the disaster of Wednesday, when it is estimated that some £40m was lost in the UK alone.
That had prompted Ladbrokes PR supremo Mike Dillon to quip that "God was definitely a bookie," but if so, He definitely gave the punters a little back yesterday with both Revillez and Fondmort being well-backed winners.
Even so, many here are questioning the wisdom of the four day festival, now in its second year. Many Irish punters gave yesterday a skip altogether, preferring to spare themselves for a St. Patrick's Day climax to remember.
Let's hope they have one.
