Ratify’s right royal memory

Fergal O’Brien on drinks with The Queen and his Cheltenham hopes

GRAND Military day at Sandown is a great occasion, and this year was especially memorable for us as my partner Sally Randell won the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Ratify.

Sally served in the army, but hadn’t race-ridden in three years, although she has won that race before. Sally said to me a few weeks ago she’d like to compete in the race, and she’d like to ride Ratify. He’d never won over hurdles, and he’s 14, but she’s been riding him out in the past few weeks and his owners John and Val King said they’d like to give it a crack, so we went for it.

Tactically, she was the most experienced jockey in the race and they won by one-and-aquarter lengths ahead of Nicky Henderson’s No Hiding Place. It was Ratify’s first win over hurdles and it was wonderful for both of them.

Afterwards we went to Windsor Castle to meet The Queen. It’s the third time I’ve met her and she was so relaxed. We had a chat, she was very engaging and said to Sally, “I thought you’d retired” — which of course she has, a couple of times.

The Queen also said she was pleased to see a 14-year-old racehorse looking so sprightly, which was nice that she’d obviously watched the race and is very interested in her racing. She was there mingling with her guests and she seemed very at home. It was very special and we have some lovely memories.

A GOOD WIN FOR A YOUNG JOCKEY

I WAS delighted for Jamie Bargary to win the Imperial Cup on Mr Antolini. It was a great effort to win on a 20-1 outsider and, although there was a bit of a barging match, the team came out on top. He’s a good rider and has a supportive boss in Nigel Twiston-Davies. We’re all thrilled for him.

LOOKING TOWARDS CHELTENHAM

WE’VE got two runners on Thursday: Cap Soleil and Colin’s Sister. The rain has come for Cap Soleil and she’ll love the ground in the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novice Hurdle. Willie Mullins has Laurina in the race, whom he says is his banker for the meeting, but ours is in great form and I think she’ll give his horse a run for her money.

Colin’s Sister is in the Grade One Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle and we’ve also been happy with her. She’ll like the rain too, so we’re hopeful.

We have Poetic Rhythm in the Albert Barlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday. He was our first Grade One winner, in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December, and hasn’t done anything wrong all season. He also won the Persian War at Chepstow in October and finished third at Cheltenham in November, giving weight away to some good horses. He won over heavy at Newbury so he looks in good shape ahead of Friday’s race.

The routine doesn’t change for Cheltenham week — you have to keep going as usual — but it’s like Christmas is coming with all the excitement.

In the Gold Cup, Mite Bite definitely has class. He has a massive engine and is very, very talented. He had a hard enough race in the King George, but Nicky Henderson will have him ready. However, for me it has to be Colin Tizzard’s Native River. He has a great chance. He had a great prep run at Newbury winning the Denman Chase and he’ll go on the ground. H&H

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