Racing has been very good to me in the relatively short period of time I have been involved in it. I have developed this blog that has hopefully gotten people interested in horse racing and also earned them a few extra shillings along the way. I have bred my first foal from my first mare and got him away for a tidy profit. I have helped to found and grow the Trinity College Horse Racing society which is now one of the most successful societies in the country, let alone Trinity.

They say racing is a game of ups and downs, of euphoric highs and depressing lows. Yesterday I got my first real experience of the lows.

This season I became involved in a syndicate with a group of friends and friends of friends. A group of young people genuinely enthused by national hunt racing. Luckily, we all were mutual friends of P.W. Mullins and when an opportunity arose “The Monkeys” were formed.

The syndicate, now in it’s third season, had a single runner to bear its striped blue colours. The mighty Immediate Response.

In 2003 a Robellino mare by the name of Rosies All the Way gave birth to a Strategic Choice colt foal bred by Mrs. Claire Keegan. This foal would turn out to be Strategic Choice’s second best track performing offspring. Second only to the 2013 World Hurdle fancy Bog Warrior. He was originally bought for €22,000 and named Immediate Response.

In the early days he was trained by the Gowran based Michael Joseph Fitzgerald and ridden by the owner’s son, and latterly Monkeys syndicate member, David Thomas who rode his first winner on him in a bumper at Gowran Park in 2008.

Immediate first ran for The Monkeys in February 2012 after an 830 day lay off due to injury. Now in the hands of W.P.and P.W. Mullins. He won that handicap hurdle off 92 and won again 7 days later at Thurles. He looked to have a a little more in the bag, and did, when he came out and completed the hat trick at Limerick winning off his new mark of 116, which jumped to 132 as a result. He went chasing  in 2013 and won 2 from 3 starts over the bigger obstacles to get a handicap mark of 130.

This season has been a series of unfortunate events for the Response. First time out he ran in a Cross Country race at Punchestown and we were hopeful of a good run. He travelled super and was up on the pace for most of it until he unseated at the 24th obstacle, better known as Ruby’s Double. We then went to Limerick at Christmas for the Tim Duggan Memorial Chase. We were quietly confident to at least pick up some nice prize money here. After slightly missing the start Jamie Codd got him back up on the pace and turning for home he had every chance. Jumping the second last I thought we were going the best and hit the front but were headed coming to the last. The ground was very testing and our lad was wrecked. He clouted the last and couldn’t find a leg. We were probably beaten anyway but we would have taken second place happily. The handicapper gave us three pounds for what really was a great run.

We then went to Leopardstown yesterday for the big Leopardstown Chase. We knew we were very exposed but thought that we had a good place chance, especially at a price of 25/1. The plan was to be handy, which we were. Travelled ok, perhaps a touch keen passing the stands the first time and definitely he wasn’t as fluent jumping down the back as he can be. However, turning for home two to jump he had a right chance. He headed the leader on the bend and took the lead between the last two. They were stacked up behind and we were probably beaten, but a good jump left us with an odds on place chance in running. “GO ON THE RESPONSE”. We were all willing him over the last, but he came into the wings and tried to shorten up by the look of the replay. He hit the top of it and came down on his shoulder. Paul Townend got up straight away. Immediate tried to get up but couldn’t take his weight on his front leg and fell back down. Jesus. Paddy Mullins and Dave Thomas sprinted off into the driving rain. Myself and a few others ran down to the railing at the last.

The excited commentary of the closing stages was our background music. At either end of the furlong between the last fence and the finish line there were two very different situations. I looked back up at the big screen to see happy faces and smiles all round in the parade ring as the winner was welcomed in. Meanwhile, a screen of our own was being put up as the vet approached Immediate, still on  the ground at the back of the last. The euphoric highs and depressing lows of racing.

“Maybe he’s winded”. “He’s only down a minute sure”. We were going through Denial, the first stage of grief.

Through the rain I could see Paddy walking back towards us. “What’s that in his hand?”. A bridle. Fuck. He’d broken a bone towards the top of his leg. We walked back inside together. The tannoy echoed “Winner alright, winner alright”. Who cares? Do you realise what just happened? Cue stage two: Anger.

We sat around the table together for a while with very little being said. The mood was low, as you can imagine. The poor fella. If only he had just found a leg. If only he had fallen differently. If only this, if only that. Stage three: Bargaining.

Stage four is depression. Now, I can only speak for myself in this instance, and I’m not sure if what I’m experiencing could be described as such but it definitely is a strong feeling of guilt and sadness. He ran for us. He died running for us. There is a knot in the stomach. Acceptance, the fifth and final stage, has yet to arrive.

Immediate response ran for The Monkeys eleven times and won five. Thats a 45.45 % strike rate. He owes us absolutely nothing and has given the syndicate so many great days. We owe him. That’s why I wrote about him. The one, the only, the Response.

Yesterday’s race was won by He’llberemembered. He will indeed.

Slán tamaillín,

T

Well, well, well. It’s tough to fathom the magnitude of what has happened in the last 24 hours, but in gambling terms, history has been made.

For those of you who have been under a rock today, Timeform radio described the proceedings as “a nationwide gamble”. Four horses across Catterick, Lingfield and Kempton were subject to monumental gambles which all landed. Not since the Barney Curley coup of 2010 has the likes of today been seen. To suggest the Fermanagh punting virtuoso was directly involved is still, at this point, merely speculation. However, strong links can be made between the four horses and the architect of the legendary Yellow Sam coup of 1975.

I could go on forever about this but, for what it’s worth, here are my abridged two cents. The choreographed gamble landed today, regardless of Curley’s involvement or not, is, in fact, an act of heroism and, in my opinion, a win for the punting public. The mastermind behind today worked the system without breaking any rules in the eyes of the stewards.  The horses were ridden to the best of their ability in the eyes of the law. To lay one horse out is difficult, but to lay four out in a manner such as today is, without a doubt, heroic. If anyone has a problem, it should be with the handicapper.

So I tip my cap to you Sir, whoever you are! You really have brightened up what could have been just another Wednesday.

Gowran Park takes centre stage on what is so much more than just another Thursday! The feature meeting of the year kicks off 2014 at the Kilkenny track. With big crowds expected and a pretty sharp card on offer, it’s going to be a cracker!

Thyestes Day in one of my favourite meetings of the year! The atmospheric parade ring can be described as a slightly more rustic version of its Longchamp contemporary. The sunlight dapples the crowd below, through the ancient trees, as an air of expectation builds before the start. Single toll of the bell. Last instructions. Leg up. Magic.

I will be there tomorrow so if I can find a few winners you’ll find me in Connolly’s of Dunbell enjoying a pint of plain and a hang sandwich. It’s not just a great day’s racing, but a great day to meet old friends that perhaps only meet up on the second last Thursday in January every year.

Enough of that auld jabber, lets have a look at the card!

13:15 Nugent Spirit 25 Horsebox Hurdle – This is a two mile contest for juveniles and would appear to be a bit of a penalty kick for the owner of the great Florida Pearl, Mrs. Violet O’Leary. Abyssial looks to be the one here even though he doesn’t seem to be a Triumph type, more a stayer in the making. The value here is in the forecast. I feel Arzembouy Premier will be the best of the rest and chase home the fav.

13:45 Four Star Langton House Hotel Maiden Hurdle – An interesting maiden. I’m going to go for two here. The Doorman was subject to a “late injection of money” as opposed to a gamble on debut at Naas but was beaten. He has a decent bit of point form with a close second behind Minella Foru who has won a grade 3 hurdle. Mouse is also a man to not have them 100% first time up. I’m hoping he has him buzzed for this. I also may have an each way nibble at The Winkler trained by Eoin Doyle. I backed him on his bumper win and was impressed by his attitude. I think Gowran could suit.

14:15 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle – Again, I’m of the opinion that this could be reasonably straight forward for Zaidpour. He has mixed it with and beaten some of the best and just has too much class. The forecast is the value here again (potentially revers forecast if you fell so inclined). I expect Robbie Colgan to be pushing and shoving  in second on Mala Beach. Thats the 1,2.

14:45 Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle – A race for pro riders who not yet lost the right to claim under rule 52, but I doubt you’ll be too worried about that. Plenty of unpleasant form figures here but the one I’ve gone for is Cassels Rock who runs off a feather weight. Ran a good second from a not very tactical ride at Limerick last time. I fancy the Rock of Gibraltar gelding to at least place.

15:15 Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase – The big one. If the handicapper has done his job I should be able to make a case for every single horse in the race. However, I am not. I fancy two strongly and one less so. Panther Claw and Hunting Party are my preferences. The Gigginstown horse in particular. Third in this last year, loves the ground, carries 5lb more this time but still has a chance. The latter has track form and potentially has a big handicap win in him at some point. The third I may or not have a small bet on. Rich Revival if he is right can be a sharp customer. The question is: is he right?! All each way.

15:45 PMF Accountants Beginners Chase – Not really one I’m excited about but I’ll have a stab at it. Dogora will be fancied but is obviously vulnerable and the one I’ve gone with is Ring Ben. Connections have tried very hard to get his head in front in maiden and handicap hurdles but alas the Beneficial gelding has not obliged so this move to chasing may be viewed as more of a last resort rather than a progression. However, the champion jockey is booked and his agent, Frostie Kelly, is trying very hard to get winners for his man after the recent cabinet reshuffle at Gigginstown. There must be ability there and Davy is riding well of late.

16:15 P.J. Foley Memorial Flat Race – Black Hercules is the market leader and has been very well touted by the Closutton team. Too well touted perhaps. I haven’t seen enough to warrant even money or odds on. I think he may win but I can’t have him at the prices. I may keep the money in the pocket here. If I am having a bet I will tweet it at the track so keep an eye on twitter (@turftalktom).

So that’s that folks! Best of luck with your selections and see you at the races!!

Slán tamaillín,

T