Racing review: Hotpots and Howlers from another week in the sport of kings

IT’S been an eventful old week in the world of horse racing.

Take a look at our latest instalment of Hotpots and Howlers, where we pick out the good, the bad and the downright ugly from the last seven days.

Hotpots

James Bowen is back in the big time.

The Welsh wizard was entrusted with the big-race ride on Call Me Lord in the International Hurdle – and he didn’t disappoint.

After the race he was interviewed by Alice Plunkett and admitted it’s been a difficult period – winners have dried up and he’s not landed a decent prize since the Midlands National in April.

However, it’s funny how one success can send you soaring back to the top of cloud nine.

He gave Call Me Lord a brilliant waiting ride, not committing too soon, before demonstrating his strength to see off a power-packed finish from runner-up Ballyandy.

Nicky Henderson put his faith in the boy wonder – who can still be classed as such – and his confidence was justified.

Hopefully this will be the springboard to even better things. 

There’s no doubting Bowen’s talent and he deserves to be riding in all the best races on the regular.

Cheltenham is the best place to showcase talent and another man who lit up Prestbury Park this week was trainer David Cottin.

The French phenomenon is a master of the cross-country and sent out Easysland to record an impressive victory over the banks.

Despite a few heart-in-the-mouth moments under the relentlessly flamboyant Jonathan Plouganou he did it well, and must have a decent chance of toppling Tiger Roll in March.

Jedd O’Keeffe’s classy hurdler has had some issues with his jumping but is slowly ironing them out and looks one of the most exciting British 3m novice chasers around.

Kudos, too, to Bryony Frost. 

You can’t walk down a London street without being met by her face advertising the Cheltenham Festival in her new role as Jockey Club ambassador, and she could well bring in some new faces.

Howlers

Andrew Balding takes top spot here thanks to the furore surrounding his refusal to take on new apprentices next season.

Kingsclere has long been the place to go for budding young riders, but due to recent BHA rulings Balding no longer feels the process is financially feasible.

The guidelines set out that apprentice jockeys must receive a larger share of prize-money and riding fees going forward, an issue that has plagued plenty of aspiring pilots in the past.

Balding’s reasoning is ostensibly acceptable, but it must be remembered that the BHA didn’t bring in the rules for nothing.

Several trainers have reportedly been guilty of not paying their apprentices their fair share, a revelation noticed and acted upon by racing’s governing body.

If Balding can’t afford to pay young riders what they should be paid, then perhaps it’s best his apprentice operation comes to an end.

In other news, take a moment to think of poor old Spiritofthegames.

Dan Skelton’s admirable seven-year-old so rarely runs a bad race and it looked for all the world as though he would finally break his big-race duck in Saturday’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

Taking the lead up after the last, he quickly went two lengths clear of long-time leader Warthog with the race at his mercy.

Unfortunately, though, his USP is not finishing off his races well enough, and he once again found a way to get himself beaten as Warthog came back upsides in the shadow of the posts.

There’s sure to be a race for him one day, though he won’t want his mark to climb much further.