Best Wishes to Freddie Tylicki
In the last week, horse racing has been in the news for the wrong reasons. Firstly, jockey Freddie Tylicki was involved in a shocking looking four horse pile up at Kempton on Monday 31st October. That incident has left the jockey paralysed from the waist down which is heartbreaking for both him and his family. Champion Apprentice in 2009 when attached to the Richard Fahey stable Freddie was one of those jockeys on the verge of making it into the top echelons of the jockey ranks. He won his first Group 1 on Speedy Boarding at Chantilly just a month ago and he could look forward to a really bright future in the saddle. He was a real âPunters Palâ this year too and came out on top on my flat jockey ratings for the 2016 turf season. Just looking at his record on favourites he was – 15 wins from 32 rides 47% +16.31 A/E 1,53 25 places 78% – an outstanding record and he will be missed by punters. It was heartening to see the fundraising page set up for him had reached its ÂŁ200,000 target and all we can do is send our best wishes for his recovery.
You can see that page here – https://www.gofundme.com/freddie-tylicki
Vautour Loses Life in Freak Accident
On Sunday there was more bad news as we heard of the death of the Willie Mullins-trained Vautour who had to be put down after sustaining a broken leg caused a âFreak Accidentâ when out in the paddock. Who can forget the horse’s dominant victory in this year’s Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival or the fact that he won at the Festival in 2014, & 2015? He was the bookies ante-post second favourite too for next year’s Gold Cup and he will be missed by all those who love top class National Hunt racing.
I am away for a few days so this week’s column is shorter than the norm, with no look back at the weekend’s best performances, but donât worry normal service will resume next week when I will be looking back at the Weekendâs action from Cheltenhamâs two-day Open Meeting which features the first big handicap chase of the winters jumps season, the BetVictor Gold Cup. My selection for that race and the weekendâs other big handicap, the Greatwood Hurdle, will be available for Eyecatcher Pro subscribers at the end of the week.
This Week’s Eye-catchers
The quick ground and small fields have meant a quiet start for the eye-catchers. Just the two this week for you trackers with a further two eye-catchers, added exclusively for Pro subscribers, one of which is a well handicapped all weather horse who looks set to strike in the coming weeks
Saturday November 5th
Aintree
Some Buckle â Tom George â Has returned to the trainer (same ownership) after spending last season with Paul Nicholls. Was only having his 4th start over fences and was travelling very powerfully four out when making a really bad mistake four out that put the seven-year-old out of the race. Jockey Adrian Heskin wisely pulled the horse up. Had looked set to add his spring Haydock win but for that mistake. Seems to have improved and is capable of more progression in the sphere. There will be other days for the horse and he looks nicely handicapped off his present chase mark if his confidence hasnât been too affected by the experience. Likes good ground or a bit of cut and around 2m 4f/5f looks his optimum trip.
Sunday November 6th
Naas
Sir Scorpion â Thomas Mullins â Not a great fan of putting up winners as eyecatchers but I will make an exception here. The seven-year-old built on his recent 2nd at the Listowel Festival with a good win in this valuable 2m 4f handicap hurdle. All his previous from had come on soft ground and this was his first start on a sound surface since his bumper days. He was also having his first start beyond two miles and saw the trip out really well in a race that was run at a good pace throughout. Two wins from 8 runs 4 places on soft or soft/ heavy before this win he showed here that ground isnât an issue to him nor the step up to 2m 4f. All his career wins have come when racing within 60 days of his last start 3 wins from 10 runs 5 places. Hopefully, the handicapper wonât put the gelding up too much in the weights for the win.
All thatâs left is to wish you a profitable week’s betting
