Matt Chapman’s Good, Bad and Ugly column from this week’s world of horse racing
Don't miss Chappers' latest column as he reflects on some of the big talking points in racing
IT'S BEEN an eventful week in the world of horse racing.
There was some brilliant action on and off the track this weekend, including a thrilling couple of days at Leopardstown. But what did I make of it all?
GOOD
They say never beg. Never beg. On Saturday, on ITV, I begged.
I had to. I truly did. And you know what, it worked!
Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud, had announced with a big grin on his face that Apple's Jade would head for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham - on the back of thrashing Melon and co in the Irish Champion Hurdle - rather than the Champion Hurdle or Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle.
That was just wrong. Wrong for the sport, but most of all wrong for Apple's Jade.
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The point of horse racing is to see who is the best horse. Apple's Jade might or might not be the best. But she should be allowed her chance to show us.
Luckily, 24 hours later Michael O'Leary, the force behind Gigginstown and Ryanair, said the team had changed its mind.
I have no idea whether Apple's Jade can win the Champion. But now she has the chance... the chance to leave a legacy.
Begging seems to work. So how about free luggage on flights Michael?!!!
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BAD
I have said many times that the Mares' hurdle is a pain up the backside and I stick by it.
You could run a selling chase at Cheltenham and a Gold Cup horse or two would go in it just because people are so determined to win anything at the fixture.
Make the Mares' a race for horses rated 0-150 and force the best equine beasts into the main events.
Simples.
UGLY
It was hard to watch Special Tiara lose his life on the track at Leopardstown over the weekend.
Special Tiara was a Champion Chase hero, and while he was by no means the best two-miler ever, there was something I rather liked about him.
His free-flowing style was a joy, and boy did he jump for fun.
Most humans would love their lives to end doing something they love, and Special Tiara passed running in a field which he so enjoyed.
Of course any equine death in the name of sport is one too many. But remember without horse racing Special Tiara would never have been born.
He was a gent. And a credit to trainer Henry de Bromhead.