Moore ‘distraught’ as Goshen unseats rider with Triumph at his mercy
The JCB Triumph Hurdle turned into a nightmare for Jamie Moore as well-fancied Goshen unseated his rider at the last when miles clear.
Having travelled powerfully up front behind Chepstow Grade 1 scorer Allmankind, Gary Moore’s runner had the rest of the field fighting for places approaching the final hurdle but stumbled after clearing the flight, giving Moore little chance of staying in the saddle.
Goshen’s owner Steve Packham said: “It’s one of those things – it’s jump racing unfortunately. He was well clear, and Jamie’s obviously distraught. It’s such a shame, but we’ll be back next year.”
Asked what Moore said, Packham added: “He didn’t realise he was as far clear as he was and he should have popped him perhaps, like he did when everyone said he run down the hurdle at Ascot. But we live to fight another day, don’t we?”
As it happened
Both horse and rider were unscathed and the race was handed to the Willie Mullins-trained Burning Victory, a fourth winner of the week for the Irish champion.
Winning rider Paul Townend said: “It’s not the nicest way to win a race but I’ve been on the other end of that too so I know what it feels like. We’ll take every bit of luck we get.
“I jumped the first two well, she didn’t jump at all the first run. She’s improved so much for that.
“I got her out down the hill and I started to pick up from there. I was lucky enough I had the horse in the position to pick up the pieces.”
Mullins added: “I feel very sorry for Gary and Jamie Moore, they had done everything right with him. I’m delighted for my owners but it’s not a victory I will be celebrating much I don’t think.”
It’s Mullins, McManus and Geraghty again as Saint Roi wins the County Hurdle
JP McManus is on course to land every handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after the heavily backed Saint Roi claimed the Randox Health County Hurdle in fine style at Cheltenham.
Travelling well under the festival’s top rider Barry Geraghty, the 11-2 favourite was one of four in a line going over the last before powering up the hill for an impressive win in his first start in a handicap.
His trainer Willie Mullins also saddled second-placed Aramon and Buildmeupbuttercup in fourth. Joseph O’Brien’s Embittered finished third.
Geraghty, who rode his fifth winner of the meeting, said: “He’s only had three runs, he’s a young horse [so] you’re saving him, hoping he’s gonna find after the last so you dare not go near the button.
“When you have lots of horse, the stride pops up easy. He was electric. For a horse with little experience and the pace they went, he was very good. Willie was sweet and he’s not a bad judge.”
The race was dominated by the Irish, with fifth-placed Elusive Belle the only British runner to finish in the top seven.
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