Aidan Coleman
Aidan’s column - March 4
I haven’t been getting much sleep the last couple of nights as I’ve got shingles. It’s very awkward as my skin’s sensitive but it shouldn’t affect my riding plans this weekend. I had chicken pox when I was four or five and it’s returned as shingles. Fortunately I don’t have any dates this weekend!
I came close to landing last weekend’s big Saturday race, the Racing Post Chase, on Mount Oscar. Two out I thought he’d win, but credit to the winner, he kept finding more on the run-in. It was an awesome run from a 12-year-old, especially when he was beaten by a horse five years his junior. Colin (Tizzard) said he was a huge price before the race, and we were hoping for a place, so hopefully some people backed him each-way at 50-1. I don’t know any plans for him, but he’s clearly in the form of his life, so he’s worth following in this form, wherever he goes.
I’ve got a few rides at Newbury on Saturday, the first of which is Vagrant Emperor for Emma Lavelle in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. I’ve never sat on him before but Emma does particularly well at Newbury and he has some good form if you go back a bit. He’s been a little disappointing recently, but if he can return to his best, then hopefully we’ll have a chance.
I put Ma Yahab in the same category as Mobaasher. He’s a bit of a character, but he has ability and has been running well this year. He was a bit outpaced at Wincanton last time so this longer trip around Newbury in the veterans’ handicap chase will suit, and he ran well at Bangor the time before. He’s not without a chance, that’s for sure.
Plein Pouvoir steps up in class for the feature race of the day, the Greatwood Gold Cup. He never really got going around Kempton last time but was very impressive at Chepstow the time before but took a hike in the weights after that. He’s got to be one of the biggest horses in training and hopefully he will run well enough off bottomweight. He is a nice horse.
I haven’t sat on Russian Song, who runs in the extended three-mile novices’ hurdle, but Colin Tizzard is in great form and the horse appears to be very consistent, so should be thereabouts at the finish.
Finally, it’s great to see Ruby back in action this weekend. He’s been blighted with injuries over the years, but he doesn’t let them ever get to him and accepts that they are part of the game. When he’s been interviewed the last few months, he always says it could be a lot, lot worse, and puts it all into perspective. It’s wonderful for everyone that he’s back in time for Cheltenham. The Festival wouldn’t be the same without him, and he’s a joy to watch around Prestbury Park.
Anyway, enjoy the weekend.
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