Gosden still the g o ld e n g o o s e
CLAREHAVEN KING LEADS CHARGE FOR 2018’S TALENT LIST
who carries the colours of Chelsea vice-chairman Alan Spence, is unbeaten over hurdles after victories at Aintree, Cheltenham and Sandown Park.
It would come as no surprise if the former point-to-pointer played a starring role over the smaller obstacles at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Festival in March.
And On The Blind Side (above) will really come into his own when he goes over fences next autumn.
Can’t wait.
AIDAN O’BRIEN had an incredible record-breaking 2017, with 28 top-level victories.
The Derby triumph of Wings Of Eagles was the Ballydoyle trainer’s sixth in the great Classic and he has a prime candidate for a seventh in Saxon Warrior.
The son of Deep Impact (right) defended his unbeaten record in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October. O’brien intends to give Saxon Warrior the chance to shine over a mile in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May – but it’s over an additional four furlongs at Epsom four weeks later that will see the colt in his best light. POETIC RHYTHM gave trainer Fergal O’brien a first Grade 1 triumph when downing Mulcahys Hill in a desperate battle for the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
Adrian Heskin and Mulcahys Hill turned for home in a clear lead.
But Paddy Brennan delivered 15-8 favourite Poetic Rhythm (above) to the front on the run-in, and the pair contained the runnerup’s fightback by a short head.
O’brien admitted: “We’ve had a good few seasons, and to get that Grade 1 is a bit of a monkey off your back.
“Three weeks ago, he was in the vet’s with colic, and, if you wanted to pull one horse out to go to war with, he’s your boy.
“He never, ever lets you down. He’s just so tough,” added the Gloucestershire-based Irishman, whose six-year-old earned a 14-1 quote for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
STEVE DROWNE brings the curtain down on a 27-year career that includes six Group 1 victories when he takes two rides at Lingfield Park today.