The November Meeting, Cheltenham Racecourse, Glos
UNDER a bold ride from Tom O’Brien, Coole Cody landed the first big handicap chase of the season when the Evan William-strained nine-year-old made nearly all of the running to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday, 14 November.
It was tough luck on the horse’s regular jockey, Adam Wedge, who broke his collarbone schooling, but he had plenty of input, telling O’Brien to ride an aggressive race on Coole Cody. The super-sub had planned to follow Siruh Du Lac – a confirmed front runner – but he overjumped at the first, leaving Coole Cody in front upsides Simply The Betts.
However, Coole Cody shook him off at the third, and survived a slip on landing at the fourth, when O’Brien was thrown forward onto the gelding’s ears. Luckily for the jockey, the horse kept straight and kept his head up.
At one stage, having pushed on going past the stands, he was 10 lengths clear. Turning for home, it looked like he would probably be reeled in and swamped by the half dozen rivals closing in on him. However, two of his pursuers came down at the second-last, where another made a mistake and in the end they never did get to him. Coole Cody won going away by 3¼ lengths from perennial bridesmaid Spiritofthegames.
“It’s great,” said Williams. “We’ve been second, third and fourth in this race so it’s nice to get a head in front in a big way. He had winning form here for his former trainer Michael Blake and he did a superb job with the horse [who joined Williams in the summer]. A change of scenery can often give a little impetus, so we’re lucky to have got him.”
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin November 19, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin November 19, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
