Summer ends with a bang at Scottish tracks
Ayr Gold Cup Festival over. The shutters coming down over the next eight days at Perth and Hamilton. Where did the summer go?
It seems like only yesterday we were there for the Hamilton opener and watching Willie Mullins plunder the big pot on day one of the 2016 term at Scone Palace Park.
By this time next week, they’ll both be done for the year.
In fairness, it’s probably gone so quickly because the racing has been top-class. Perth just keeps growing and their final meeting of the season is always a belter.
For me, it almost signals the start of the jump season proper. Some look at Chepstow, others to the Paddy Power weekend at Cheltenham.
But, given the standard of horse at the Perth finale meeting in recent years, the stature has really grown.
Two years ago, Blacklion, who won the RSA at Cheltenham in March, was on the scoresheet.
Last year, Fagan started a campaign at this meeting which ended with him coming second in the Albert Bartlett.
Had Cyrus Darius not got injured after winning at Perth, he’d also likely have been a Festival contender, so keep your eye out for some potential good ones on Wednesday and Thursday because they’ll be in there.
By a week tomorrow, Hamilton will also go out with a bang for the season with superb cards on Saturday and next Monday. The dark nights are drawing in, right enough.
Having mentioned Ayr, what a three days. Brilliant meeting and a fitting finale yesterday with a bumper crowd and Kevin Ryan did the business once again with the fast-improving Brando in the Gold Cup.
The meeting just keeps growing. Fair play to Fergie and the team down there.
So Matt Chapman has been announced as the betting reporter for ITV when the channel takes over coverage of racing from January 1.
This is definitely a smart move on the network’s part as he’s got a big mouth and plenty of opinions.
Love him or loathe him, that’s exactly what you want from someone in the betting ring. He’ll call any dodgy gambles if he sees them and viewers will be told.