Matt Chapman tips: After 66-1 and 28-1 winners, Gary Moore can hit top gear with Authorised Speed

IT might surprise you, but in general terms the 2022 Cheltenham bumper form has been absolutely pants.

Of course, the obvious exception has been the brilliant winner, Facile Vega, who simply looks well, errr, brilliant!

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Chappers simply loves the look of Authorised Speed[/caption]

But outside of Willie Mullins’s star most of those who went on the level at Prestbury Park have disappointed.

There’s still hope, however, that things might change and one who could yet excel is Authorised Speed, and he goes for trainer Gary Moore and his jockey son Jamie in Saturday’s Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown.

The ITV feature, landed by the incredible Constitution Hill twelve months ago, looks to be a fair renewal, with a bold sight expected by many from Tahmuras, set to represent champion Paul Nicholls.

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AUTHORISED SPEED (2.25 Sandown) can continue a red-hot spell for trainer Gary Moore in the Tolworth Hurdle. He’s proven at the track and won’t mind a slog in the mud.

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However, Authorised Speed might well be a bit special, and Moore’s stable is going great guns, having banged in winners at 28-1 (Editeur du Gite, Kempton) and 66-1 (Jupiter du Gite, Newbury).

If only Authorised Speed was actually called ‘Authorised Speed du Gite’.

Authorised Speed finished fifth behind Facile Vega at Cheltenham, which was a pretty good effort, but has really taken to hurdling.

He hacked up at Lingfield on jumps debut, and then romped home at today’s course despite a desperate blunder at the final hurdle.

Owner Pat Gallagher has had many horses over the years, and he said: “I’m a typical Irishman and I love horses and have done since I was a child. It’s the people. There are so many who work so hard.

“We all dream of that Grade 1 winner. Hopefully Authorised Speed will run well.”

Tahmuras has done little wrong, and having won a bumper at Wincanton has landed hurdle events at both Chepstow and Haydock.

That said, I want to take him on with Authorised Speed for all that will merely delight Nicholls.

The fascinating raider from Ireland is Arctic Bresil, who goes for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore and tries to land the prize like Yorkhill did.

Theyy come into this event on a high following the success of Minella Indo last weekend.

The former Gold Cup hero got back to winning ways at Tramore last Sunday which was a big deal.

De Bromhead lost his son in tragic circumstances not so long ago, and but for that a few more questions might have been asked of the trainer after A Plus Tard ran a shocker at Haydock first time out this term and Honeysuckle suffered her first defeat over jumps.

That Minella Indo silenced any need for those questions was good news.

As many of you will be aware, the whip rules that are shortly to be changed were reformed before the new format comes into play which, essentially, means forehand use, which was going to be ruled out, will no longer be banned.

This is good news, and I’ll have more about this in my online Sun ‘The Monday Yeeehaaa’ column.

The U-turn comes after late lobbying by the PJA after members who had tried to talk to the powers that be went public about their concerns.

As a result, I was stunned when David Jones, chairman of the whip consulation steering group and a non-executive director on the BHA board, said: “We cannot allow this type of scenario to unfold again.”

It’s as if those in power are completely unaware that they have solely caused this fiasco.

The whip is not a welfare issue. The foam-padded pro-cush does not hurt a horse.

That is all that should matter.

Until those in power stand up for the sport and don’t cave in to either minority groups, who simply want horseracing banned, or those who refuse to be educated about the foam-padded pro-cush whip this battle will just continue.

Let’s hope Authorised Speed doesn’t need too many love-taps this afternoon!

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