Kieran Packman: Gordon's alive!

Timeform Debate / Kieran Packman / 17 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will Cheltenham-loving Poquelin avenge last year's defeat?

"I suspect the Stewart family could well be celebrating a double, as it’s very difficult to oppose Poquelin in the Ryanair."

'Pocket talker' is a familiar retort across the plethora of racing forums whenever a complaint about a ride is made. The reasoning seemingly being that the complainer is bias by his financial interest. I do wonder though why anyone would care about a poor ride unless they'd backed it? Anyway, Aidan Coleman, all my pockets say that was far from great.

At the other end of the spectrum, a vintage display of patience from Derek O'Connor aboard Chicago Grey, albeit he was clearly on the most talented horse on the day. A word also for trainer Gordon Elliott, who made it a double later in the afternoon with Carlito Brigante. He's 33 (Gordon, not the horse) and has now amassed a Grand National, an Ebor and a Cheltenham double. Most of his generation have amassed no more than a huge student loan and a liking for strawpedos.

The Champion Chase went well here, the possibly vulnerable front two proving just that as Sizing Europe powered away. Very good on his day. One of those days wasn't when I'd backed him ante-post for the Champion Hurdle.

Thursday brings by some way the weakest of the four in terms of quality, saved solely this year by the fascinating and much-discussed clash between Big Buck's and Grands Crus. Having supported the grey both on these pages and with hard cash at the turn of the year, my loyalty lies firmly with him. That said, I am some way from bullish and a respectable second will do just fine, as the returns from the place and without favourite markets will cushion the blows from the rest of the week.

I suspect the Stewart family could well be celebrating a double, as it's very difficult to oppose Poquelin in the Ryanair. When last seen in December, he gave Great Endeavour (a late faller on Tuesday when in the money) 21lb and beat him a length. Rock solid. Plus he takes on a trio of market rivals in Albertas Run, Kalahari King and J'Y Vole who've left most questions unanswered this season.

A small plea to finish. Funds required. Not for me. Not yet anyway. Racing's mafia have pulled some strings and one of their own is aboard the favourite in the (sort of) finale, the St Patricks Day Derby. Lorna Fowler, broadly of this stable as a regular Timeform Radio contributor, gets the leg up on an unexposed four-year-old trained by no less than Henry Cecil. Either back it and then give a percentage of your winnings or, even better, give something regardless - http://www.justgiving.com/lornafowler. Cheers.

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