ONE of the charges frequently laid at the door of flat racing by those who prefer the jumping scene is that horses operating on the level tend not to hang around long enough to catch the imagination of the betting public.
There’s not a jury in the land, though, who could ever convict Vortex on that indictment.
Already a veteran of 78 races, with 17 wins, Gay Kelleway’s gelding will bring the curtain down on his career at Lingfield this afternoon in, appropriately,
the race named in honour of his trainer’s late father, Paul.
Racing’s history books are chock-a-block with such fairy tales having a happy ending but this is one that may not, as part of the reason for retiring Vortex according to connections is he’s lost his enthusiasm.
Maybe he’ll re-discover it this afternoon, which would be great, but in the circumstances, Hazzard County looks a safer betting proposition.
Born and bred in the Borders, Greg Fairley comes from the wrong part of Scotland to be a Highland Laddie but that shouldn’t stop him landing the nap on Charlie Egerton’s top-weight in Catterick’s finale.
Montmarte’s stunning victory in the Grand Prix de Paris has set le chat among les pigeons as far as the Arc de Triomphe is concerned, the winner replacing stablemate Zarkava at the head of the betting for the big race.
Despite both horses being owned by the Aga Khan, trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre admits that if conditions are right, the pair could go head-to-head at Longchamp in October.
“I think it’s possible for the two to run,” he admitted. “Montmartre can go on all ground, for Zarkava good to soft would be ok but softer may be a problem.”
For all the positive vibes coming out of Monday’s night’s success, however, some, including those wise old owls at Timeform, have yet to be convinced.
“Even allowing for the nature of his success, we’re of the opinion that he will have to improve again,” said the company’s communications manager Kieran Packman.
The full article contains 368 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
