Istabraq was 25lb clear of his closest rival on official ratings and while he had not had the perfect
Istabraq was 25lb clear of his closest rival on official ratings and, while he had not had the perfect preparation, he could have been on a stag week and still won this. Swan was happy to have the Ballydoyle horse coasting merrily in third early on. Up front, Moscow Flyer and Aerleon Pete appeared to be getting away from the field. Swan, though, did not seem distressed, probably because the latter had been sent out as his pacemaker.By the end of the back straight the game was up for Aerleon Pete as Istabraq sliced through to Moscow Flyer's quarters.
Between the last two, the champion asserted and the normal rule of law appeared to have been confirmed. Then came the gruesome pitch at the last, like an Acapulco diver mistiming his descent to the waves.First Gold's failure in the Tote Gold Trophy Chase was not as spectacular, but it was close in terms of disappointment. Early on, Fran?s Doumen's horse was at the back, jumping with his trademark speed and economy. Then, at an open ditch at the end of the first circuit he imploded, like Istabraq, apparently failing to see a huge obstacle before him.
Thierry Doumen, his jockey, bounced in the saddle on landing and then slid out of the side as he ran out of rein. The game was up.All this time, the second favourite, Marlborough, had been stalking in rear. Into the straight, it looked a matter of when Nicky Henderson's runner would pick off the galloping grandfather figure of Go Ballistic. But the old horse kept going and, somewhere in the heat of the struggle, Marlborough damaged himself.By the end it was all that Mick Fitzgerald's mount could do to force himself past the frontrunner. "Mick thought he went lame at the second last," Henderson said "He's a brave horse to come back and do that.
Let's just hope he's okay."Mick has worked out you had to ride him differently. He used to pull very hard and then he would go and ignore one. The idea has been to drop him in, put him to sleep, and, in Mick's words, to blind him at his fences Then he's looking for them and he's being sensible. He'll pop and he won't charge."The equivalent of the Stayers' Hurdle did see an end for Anzum, who simultaneously injured and retired himself. It was, though, a stepping stone for Baracouda, who has the option of hurdles or fences next season after a staggering win.In rear early on and paying for his nonchalance by getting too close to his hurdles, Baracouda was just giving them a chance. At the last, there he was, fresh as a choirboy.There was leather slapping all around, but Thierry Doumen's whip was an insignificant accoutrement until half-way up the run-in, when Baracouda thought his work was over a little prematurely.
