Tag Archive for: Christmas Hurdle

Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth locked in for Christmas Hurdle clash

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There may only be four horses lining up for the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, but amongst that quartet are two of the biggest names in the sport.

The chances of Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth meeting anywhere before Cheltenham might have been seen as quite fanciful at the start of the season, yet here we are with a race to savour.

It is one that should answer some questions too, as while Constitution Hill is still unbeaten, he has not been seen since winning this race 12 months ago.

Nicky Henderson appears optimistic he has Constitution Hill in shape to do himself justice, although having to give weight to Willie Mullins’ race-fit mare Lossiemouth complicates the equation after such an absence.

“It’s a credit to everyone here at Seven Barrows that he is able to return to Kempton following the well-documented issues we have had with him in the intervening time,” he said in his Unibet blog.

Ladbrokes Christmas Festival – Day One – Kempton Park
Constitution Hill at the meeting last season (Steven Paston/PA)

“I must say Constitution Hill is in really good shape – I’ve never seen him look better; he is super in his skin and is a very happy person, while his work here has been excellent.

“But I must say we go into this race with our eyes wide open and unlike last year’s race there is a super potent opponent in the shape of Lossiemouth, who has both the benefit of a recent run and that 7lb mares’ allowance which will make things very interesting. It’s a big advantage, while we’re entitled to come on for the run.

“That leads me to believe that Constitution Hill doesn’t have to win on this occasion, as much as we would love to. He will undoubtedly be beaten one day and I fear that this might be the one. I sincerely believe that whatever happens here, he will be the horse they all have to beat in the Unibet Champion Hurdle in March.”

Lossiemouth has only been beaten once in her career, when meeting traffic problems at Leopardstown in February last year. She is twice a winner at the Cheltenham Festival and last time out dismissed Teahupoo and the rest in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.

Patrick Mullins is assistant to his father and said: “We’re very excited to send Lossiemouth over for the Christmas Hurdle, it’s obviously been lucky for us in the past with Faugheen.

“I suppose it all comes down to which Constitution Hill turns up. If the real Constitution Hill stands up he’s going to be very difficult to beat, but if he’s in any way not near his best, our mare will be ready to take advantage.

Punchestown Festival – Day Five – Saturday May 4th
Lossiemouth at Punchestown previously (Brian Lawless/PA)

“It should be a fascinating contest and I can’t wait to watch it.”

Hoping to crash the party is James Owen with Burdett Road, a quality performer who was in action on the Flat to some effect over the summer and won the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

“We have a big task ahead, it’s a really good race, but the ground and the track should suit him,” said the Newmarket trainer.

“He has got a lot to find on what he’s done so far over hurdles, but he’s a progressive four-year-old and we’re all really pleased that we’re giving it a go. We’re looking forward to it.”

Sam Thomas is represented by Lump Sum – runner-up to Constitution Hill’s esteemed stablemate Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

“We’re very realistic, taking on two mighty horses and if I’m honest it’s nice to go and be involved in a race like that,” said the South Glamorgan trainer.

“We’re not going there thinking we’re going to be winning the race, but there’s good prize-money on offer and we’ll nick as much as we can.

“We’ll have to carry top-weight in a handicap one day, you’ve got races like the Betfair Hurdle in February and there’s a nice race at Windsor on January 17 as well we could look at.

“We’ll go to Kempton first anyway and see how we go. It’s nice to be involved in a race of that nature with four very nice horses.”

Boxing Day TV Trends: Thursday 26th Dec (Kempton, Aintree & Wetherby)

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A huge day on Boxing Day (Thursday, Dec 26th 2024), but the festive highlight, as racing resumes after a three-day break, is the King George VI Meeting at Kempton Park.

The King George VI Chase is the feature race of the day as punters will look to get their Christmas expenses paid for – a race in recent years we’ve seen horse racing greats like Kauto Star, Long Run, Best Mate, Kicking King, One Man and, more recently, Thistlecrack, Might Bite, landing the prize.

We've also got the winners of the race from the last year years in Bravemansgame and Hewick as the pair look to join a long list of repeat winners of the big Kempton festive race.

Plus, at Wetherby the ITV cameras are also heading there to take in the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Chase, and at Aintree the Formby Novices Hurdle - which has produced three Supreme Novices' Hurdle winners since 2006.

Here at GeeGeez, we take a look at each race on the Kempton card and highlight the main trends, plus the Rowland Meyrick Chase (Wetherby) and Formby Novices' Hurdle – hopefully this will help you narrow down the fields and point you in the direction of a few festive winners.

Kempton Horse Racing Trends and Tips

12:45 Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-135) 2m 4 1/2f ITV

20/20 – Aged 7 or younger
19/20 – Had won between 0-1 times over fences in the UK
16/20 – Raced within the last 5 weeks
12/20 – Placed 1st or 2nd last time out
11/20 – Placed favourites (1 joint)
11/20 – Carried 11-5 or more
9/20 – Officially rated between 119 and 125
9/20 – Winning distance – 6 lengths or more
8/20 – Winning favourites (1 joint)
6/20 – Won by a French bred horse
6/20 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
4/20 – Won last time out
2/20 – Raced at Kempton last time out
9 of the last 10 winners were aged 6 year-old
9 of the last 10 winners returned 5/1 or shorter

1.20 – Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices´ Chase (In memory of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) Cl1 3m ITV

20/21 – Raced within the last 6 weeks
20/21 – Placed in the top two last time out
16/21 – Won last time out
16/21 – French (9) or Irish (7) bred
15/21 – Had won at least 2 times over fences
15/21 – Winning distance – 3 lengths or more
14/21 – Aged 6 or younger
12/21 – Went onto run in that season’s Brown Advisory Chase, Cheltenham Festival (no winners)
13/21 – Returned 5/2 or shorter in the betting
12/21 – Placed favourites
11/21 – Aged 6 years-old
11/21 – Had won (chase) over at least 3m before
9/21 – Raced at Newbury last time out
8/21 – Winning favourites
5/21 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
2/21 – Trained by David Pipe
2/21 – Raced at Cheltenham last time out
2/21 – French trained
1/21 – Went onto run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (One winner - Coneygree 2015)
Bravemansgame (6/5) won the race in 2021
Just 1 favourite in the last 10 runnings (Shan Blue, 2020)

1.55 – Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 2m ITV

20/22 – Raced within the last 6 weeks
19/22 – Had won at least 4 times over hurdles before
19/22 – Placed favourites
17/22 – Returned 11/4 or shorter in the betting
15/22 – Went onto run in the Champion Hurdle - (Faughan (2015), Buveur D’Air (2018), Epatante (2019), Constitution Hill (2022) winners
14/22 – Won last time out
13/22 – Winning favourites
13/22 – Had run over hurdles at Kempton before
12/22 – Went onto finish in the top 5 in the Champion Hurdle that season
9/22 – Ran in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) last time out
9/22 – Trained by Nicky Henderson (7 of the last 11), (12 in total)
8/22 – French bred
8/22 – Irish trained
4/22 – Trained by Noel Meade
2/22 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill
2/22 – Trained by Willie Mullins
Constitution Hill won the race in 2022 and 2023

2.30 – Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 3m ITV

20/22 – French (14) or Irish bred (6)
18/22 – Had raced within the last 5 weeks
18/22 – Had won a Grade One chase before
18/22 – Had won over 3m or further (fences) before
18/22 – Aged 8 or younger
17/22 – Finished in the top three last time out
17/22 – Placed favourites
16/22 – Returned 9/2 or shorter in the betting
16/22 – Officially rated 167 or higher
13/22 – Had won a race over fences at Kempton before
12/22 – Won last time out
11/22 – Winning favourites
11/22 – Aged 6 or 7 years-old
11/22 – Trained by Paul Nicholls (13 times in all)
10/22– Ran in the Betfair Chase (Haydock) last time out
8/22 – Won by a previous winner of the race
4/22 – Won by an Irish-based yard (only 5 in the last 38 runnings)
Paul Nicholls, the Tizzard yard and Nicky Henderson have trained 16 of the last 18 winners between them (11 Nicholls, 2 Tizzard, 3 Henderson)
Trainer Willie Mullins has only won the race twice (2021 Tornado Flyer and 2001 Florida Pearl)
The average winning SP in the last 22 years is 6/1

3.05 – Ladbrokes "Gaffer Of All Accas" Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) 2m

Only 1 past running
Trainer Nicky Henderson has a 23% record with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Paul Nicholls has a 20% record with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Ben Pauling is just 4 from 36 (11%) with his hurdles at the track
Jockey Harry Skelton has a 22% record riding over hurdles at the track

3.40 – Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle Cl3 (3yo+ 0-140) 2m5f RTV

17/17 – Won no more than 3 times (UK Hurdles)
15/17 – Aged 6 or younger
15/17 – Won between 0-2 times hurdles (UK)
12/17 – Returned 8/1 or shorter
12/17 – Ran 5 or less weeks ago
11/17 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
11/17 – Carried 11-2 or more in weight
10/17 – Officially rated 120-129
9/17 – Won last time out
9/17 – Aged 5 or 6 years-old
7/17 – Unplaced favourites
6/17 – French bred
4/17 – Winning favourites (only 2 in the last 10)
3/17 – Trained by Nicky Henderson (2 of last 4 winners)
9 of the last 10 winners aged between 4-6
Mahons Glory won the race in 2023

Wetherby Horse Racing Trends (RacingTV/ITV)

1.35 – William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Cl1 3m45y ITV

14/16 – Had won 3 or less times over fences (UK)
14/16 – Aged 8 or younger
14/16 – Didn’t win last time out
14/16 – Aged 7 or 8 years-old
14/16 – Raced in the last 5 weeks
14/16 – Returned 9/1 or shorter in the betting
12/16 – Had raced at Wetherby before
10/16 – Had won over 3m (chase) before
9/16 – Irish bred
9/16 – Carried 11-0 or less in weight
8/16 – Unplaced in their last race
4/16 – Raced at either Haydock (2) or Aintree (2) last time out
3/16 – Winning favourites
Fontaine Collonges (100/30) won the race in 2023
All of the last 10 winners aged 7 or 8

Aintree Horse Racing Trends (ITV/RacingTV)

1.05 – William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Formerly The Tolworth Hurdle) (GBB Race) CI1 (3yo+) 2m ½ ITV

19/20 – Won over at least 2m (hurdles) before
19/20 – Placed 1st or 2nd in their last race
17/20 – Raced within the last 6 weeks
17/20 – Priced 5/1 or shorter
17/20 – Won by a horse aged either 5 or 6 years-old
17/20 – Won between 1-2 times over hurdles previously
16/20 – Came from the top three in the market
16/20 – Won last time out
13/20 – Placed favourites
11/20 – Won by an Irish bred horse
10/20– Won by a horse aged 5 years-old
10/20 – Winning Favourites
6/20 – Ran at either Sandown (4) or Newbury (2) last time out
5/20 – Won by the Paul Nicholls stable
5/20 – Won by the Nicky Henderson stable
3/20 – Won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle later that season (Constitution Hill, 2022, Summerville Boy, 2018 & Noland, 2006)
2/20 – Won by the Jonjo O’Neill stable
1/20 - Won the Neptune Investment Hurdle (Gallagher) later that season (Yorkhill 2016)
5 or 6 years-old have won 25 of the last 32 runnings
Since 1988 ALL winners have been aged 7 or younger

Note: Only ran at Aintree from 2023 (Sandown before)

 

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Time to let the horses do the talking, says De Boinville ahead of blockbuster clash

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Nico de Boinville insists Constitution Hill would not be running in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park if those closest to him were not 100 per cent happy with his condition.

There has been plenty spoken and written about Nicky Henderson’s superstar since he sauntered to an impressive second victory in the Grade One event last year.

No one could have imagined the trials and tribulations his connections have been through in the intervening period, so much so he has seen his position as favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March snatched away by Lossiemouth.

First there was the disastrous racecourse gallop at Kempton, when he was subsequently found to be suffering from an infection which would rule him out of Cheltenham, then there was a bout of colic.

Just when Henderson hoped for a clear run with him at the beginning of this season, another racecourse gallop went wrong when he returned home lame from Newbury, meaning he could not run in the Fighting Fifth.

He is back out again now, though, and racing fans should be in for a treat against the Willie Mullins-trained mare Lossiemouth.

Team Constitution Hill are happy with him after a year out
Team Constitution Hill are happy with him after a year out (David Davies/PA)

“Let’s put aside all the talk now, and enjoy this race for what it promises to be, one of the most eagerly-anticipated contests in the sport in recent years,” De Boinville told Unibet.

“With all due respect to Burdett Road and Lump Sum, our boy faces a mighty task against a race-fit Lossiemouth getting the 7lb allowance, after an absence of a year. And he has had his well-documented issues since winning this race last season.

“But we wouldn’t be here if we were not 100 per cent happy with him and let us not forget he was beating State Man by nine lengths in a Champion Hurdle three starts ago, and the runner-up has won six Grade Ones since.

“These are the days and races you want to be riding in, especially when the horse is Constitution Hill.”

Lossiemouth’s only defeat came when meeting traffic problems at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival, since when she has won the Triumph Hurdle, the International, the Mares’ Hurdle and last time out the Hatton’s Grace.

James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum, second in the Fighting Fifth to Constitution Hill’s super-sub Sir Gino, complete the quartet.

Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth declared for Christmas Hurdle

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Constitution Hill will face the sternest of examinations on his first run for 12 months up against Lossiemouth in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

There has been plenty spoken and written about Nicky Henderson’s pride and joy since he sauntered to an impressive second victory in the Grade One event last year.

Nobody could have imagined the trials and tribulations his connections have been through in the intervening period, so much so that he has seen his position as favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March snatched away by Lossiemouth.

First there was the disastrous racecourse gallop at Kempton, when he was subsequently found to be suffering from an infection which would rule him out of Cheltenham, then there was a bout of colic.

Just when Henderson hoped for a clear run with him at the beginning of this season, another racecourse gallop went wrong when he returned home lame from Newbury, meaning he could not run in the Fighting Fifth.

He is fit again now, though, and reportedly firing on all cylinders – which he will need to be against Lossiemouth.

Her only defeat came when meeting traffic problems at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival, since when she has won the Triumph Hurdle, the International, the Mares’ Hurdle and last time out the Hatton’s Grace.

Trained by Willie Mullins in the Rich Ricci colours, Lossiemouth is 15lb inferior to Constitution Hill on official ratings, but gets a 7lb mares’ allowance to go with the race-fitness she has on her side.

There are only two other runners. James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum, second in the Fighting Fifth to Constitution Hill’s super-sub Sir Gino.

Constitution Hill ‘looks fantastic’ ahead of Kempton target

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Constitution Hill is faring well in his comeback bid and a return to action in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day is looking increasingly likely.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star has been through the mill with various ailments since winning the race last season, missing the Cheltenham Festival with an infection and then suffering a bout of colic.

His first start of this year was further delayed after he was found to be lame ahead of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, but the injury proved to be fairly innocuous and Henderson was still hopeful he would make Kempton Park.

Those hopes look to have every chance of materialising, and the trainer is not ruling out switching Sir Gino to fences at the same meeting after the four-year-old landed the Fighting Fifth in his stablemate’s absence.

“Everything is going well,” said Henderson of Constitution Hill.

“I can tell you how many days there are to go (until the Christmas Hurdle) and I think we’ve got every chance of being there. I’ve never seen him look better – he looks fantastic.

“He’s got a couple of bits of work to do, I think we’ll get there.

“There is still the possibility Sir Gino could turn up over fences at Kempton. He’s got to go somewhere. It’s all up in the air, so let’s see how we go.

“I wouldn’t say we wouldn’t (run both in the Christmas Hurdle), it’s possible we do.

“I’m still tempted by fences with Sir Gino, as he is a very good jumper. We haven’t schooled him over fences since the Fighting Fifth, we’re thinking about it.”

Lossiemouth looks on course for Christmas cracker with Constitution Hill

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Connections of Lossiemouth are “leaning towards” a potential Christmas cracker of a clash with Constitution Hill in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

The five-year-old made an impressive start to her campaign when comfortably defeating Teahupoo in the two-and-a-half-mile Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at the start of the month, a victory that saw her promoted to the head of the Champion Hurdle market.

With trainer Willie Mullins also housing the reigning champion in the shape of State Man, who suffered a surprise defeat on his return, he is eager to split his stars over the Christmas period and mentioned Kempton as a potential target straight after Lossiemouth’s Fairyhouse win.

She is also entered in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29 – but owner Rich Ricci feels they are more likely to bypass that in favour of a trip to Kempton on Boxing Day or even Cheltenham for the Relkeel Hurdle on January 1.

Lossiemouth won the Mares' Hurdle last year but is Champion-bound this term
Lossiemouth won the Mares’ Hurdle last year but is Champion-bound this term (Adam Davy/PA)

Ricci told Matt Chapman on the At The Races’ Unbridled podcast: “State Man loves Leopardstown, it’s his course, he’s undefeated there and our only defeat was at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival.

“We might go to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival, last year we went to the International (at Cheltenham), but she would carry a bigger penalty this year.

“I would say we’re probably leaning towards that (Christmas Hurdle), but we can lean the other way as well. There’s the option of the race on New Year’s Day which Annie Power won at Cheltenham. She will run somewhere at Christmas, but I think at the moment he’s talking about the Christmas Hurdle.

“I think his view is you’re the Champion Hurdle favourite and you’re supposed to run in the Christmas Hurdle, but we’ll see what happens. We’ll see if she’s all right to get there, who knows.

“She will definitely have an entry and we will take it from there.”

Constitution Hill has not run since last year's Christmas Hurdle
Constitution Hill has not run since last year’s Christmas Hurdle (Steven Paston/PA)

Should Constitution Hill line up at Kempton, it will be his first start since a comfortable victory in the Grade One last year with Nicky Henderson’s charge having suffered a series of ailments in the interim.

However, Ricci does not underestimate his challenge, adding: “Constitution Hill is a monster and if he’s back to where he was, he’ll definitely be hard to beat.”

Another Ricci star set to be unleashed over the Christmas period is Gaelic Warrior, winner of the Faugheen Novice Chase and Arkle at the highest level last term.

He is likely to contest the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on December 27, although Ricci also mentioned Kempton’s Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase on the same day as another alternative.

Gaelic Warrior is on course for a Christmas comeback
Gaelic Warrior is on course for a Christmas comeback (David Davies/Jockey Club)

He said: “I would imagine he would be out first time around Christmas, there’s the two-mile Grade One at Leopardstown, he’s entered in that and you’re probably going to see him there or, depending on what his other runners do, we could travel to Kempton on December 27, it depends who else is coming.

“You will see him at Christmas, he’s doing quite a bit and the plan is to get him out at Christmas.

“The plan is to go to the Champion Chase, I wouldn’t mind if he went to the Ryanair but at the moment all we’re talking about for him is the Champion Chase.

“It will be a hell of race if they all show up, all those intending to get there, and Cheltenham is always the plan until they tell us differently.”

Jonbon currently heads the market for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival following his second Tingle Creek victory and Ricci takes a keen interest in Henderson’s runner as he is a full-brother to his former two-mile star Douvan and owned by a friend in JP McManus.

He added: “I’d like to win the race, whether we beat Jonbon or whoever else. I like Jonbon, I love watching him run and because he’s related to Douvan, when we’re not racing against him I root for him and JP is a great pal as well. I’d like to win the race and we’ll see who turns up.”

Constitution Hill canters to Christmas Hurdle success

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National Hunt superstar Constitution Hill made a perfect return to action when strolling to victory in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Winning the race for the second season in succession, Nicky Henderson’s charge was sent off the 1-12 favourite taking on just four rivals.

This ended up being his first race of the season after plans to run him in the Fighting Fifth, originally at Newcastle and then in the rearranged version at Sandown, were spoiled by the weather.

While that may have given his rivals some hope he was a little behind schedule, those thoughts were soon banished.

Constitution Hill looked as good as ever at Kempton
Constitution Hill looked as good as ever at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

Paul Nicholls’ Rubaud set the pace and Harry Cobden tried to wind it up before the turn for home, but Nico de Boinville was sat in his slipstream.

He pulled Constitution Hill out to challenge on the run to the second-last and the champion hurdler absolutely flew it, taking two lengths out of Rubaud and immediately putting the race to bed.

He was allowed to cruise home for a nine-and-a-half-length win, with Coral subsequently trimming him to 1-3 from 2-5 to retain his Champion Hurdle title in March.

Henderson said: “Everybody wants to see what he is, and as Nico says you couldn’t fail to be impressed as he is such an exciting thing to sit on as he goes so fast.

“I’ve not seen one jump better, that’s the great secret to all these good two-milers, and we have been very lucky over the years going way back when with See You Then, and then Binocular, Epatante and Buveur D’Air – it is the way they get from A to B.

“We had this discussion in the summer to jump fences, but what was there to be gained by doing it. He is very good at this. Is an Arkle and a Champion Chase going to change anybody’s life?

“We want to win the Champion Hurdle again. I’d be very surprised if that is what we don’t do (try to win the Champion Hurdle multiple times). See You Then was never winning as easy as this, but you might say the opposition may have been stronger at that time.

“You have to put it all into perspective and he can only beat what is put in front of him. Obviously there will be a lot more to come in March.

Constitution Hill flying over the last
Constitution Hill flying over the last (John Walton/PA)

“We missed the Fighting Fifth so there is no reason why we shouldn’t look at the Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials day as an extra run, which he is here to do. We want to race him.

“It is still the same watching him. You are never going to get used to it, but you have got to try to enjoy it to a point if it is possible. It is what you want to see (the way he has won) because he has done it before.

“It is nice that it all still works as it is a long time since April and a lot of things can happen in that time. His technique is absolutely unbelievable as his margin for error is so small. He has to be so accurate.”

De Boinville said: “I was delighted with that and he hasn’t had too hard a race, so that sets up the season nicely. I’m delighted.”

Winning owner Michael Buckley added: “It is a very special day. I’d say it more than a sigh of relief that he has gone and done that.

“John Ferguson (former trainer and former Godolphin racing manager) was staying over with me, and he looked after the likes of Dubai Millennium and he said you have got to try to enjoy this, but it does play on your mind a bit. I’m delighted it is over though.”