Papini Race Reports 2006 ~ 2007

16th March 2007, Vincent O’Brian County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3, Class 1), Cheltenham. The last minute change of plan to re-route Papini from Sandown to The Cheltenham Festival instead, was on the basis that Papini would have been top weight in the Imperial Cup, carrying more than 11 1⁄2 stone and on bottomless ground. It was therefore interesting to see that the first seven horses to pass the line at Sandown in the Imperial Cup were all carrying well under 11 stone. Because of the prizemoney, both the Imperial Cup and The County Hurdle attract the best horses from around Europe so we knew that Papini would have his work cut out in either race, although he would be much better off in terms of weight at Cheltenham and in the end there is nothing quite like having a runner at THE FESTIVAL – if only to show off to your friends about it! So off we went on Friday to Gold Cup Day – now renamed ‘Can’t-move-an-inch-or-buy-a-drink-or-buy-a-sandwich-Day’ but also a day when you can’t beat the sublime, unadulterated racing passion that flows and pulsates from all those that make the pilgrimage each year to the hallowed turf that is Cheltenham. In short, you just can’t come close to the emotion that oozes from every square inch around the Winners’ Enclosure when the Gold Cup Winner is brought in, to the sounds of the emotive Irish music and to the roar of the tweed clad, trilby wearing masses – and what a winner we had this year! So to be there on Friday and for NewROG to have a runner was really pretty special in itself; taking a moment out to think about it, as a syndicate NewROG has achieved what most owners spend a life time dreaming of – thank you Papini! It was a job to see a spare millimetre of grass in the Pre-Parade Ring before Papini’s race, purely down to the sheer number of runners in the race – 28 in total – who in the end had to make two groups and circle one inside the other, just to make sure there weren’t any costly collisions. Anyway despite the amount of runners, it was clear to see how well our lad looked; Neil, Papini’s lad, had done his usual fantastic job of turning Papini out and he looked truly immaculate – tuned to the second and really relaxed to boot. I am pleased to say that my usual combination of batting eyelashes, whilst subtly shooing everyone past the hawk like watch of the Paddock gateman worked a treat and with everyone safely inside the inner sanctum of the Paddock we awaited Mick’s arrival. With Nicky having a total of four runners from the yard in the race – Tarlac, Trompette, Caracciola and Papini, he did a sterling juggling act and managed to get around to all of us whilst issuing instructions to the awaiting jockeys at the same time. Mick reiterated that he anticipated that the pace would be scorching and if he felt that Papini was unable to sustain this from the front then he would have no other choice but to put him amongst the others and hope that things would go our way. The Starter did a grand job, considering the size of the field, and the race got underway without incident. The David Pipe, A P McCoy ridden Osana jumped out in front and set a red hot pace immediately; sensibly Mick dropped Papini into 5th place on the rail but with enough room so as not to unsettle the front running loving Papini, but you could still see Papini resisting Mick slightly and pulling hard. It was a ferocious race, and there were going to be no prisoners, Papini jumped like a stag and tried his heart out in his normal genuine and honest fashion, but after the 4th and half way round the pace quickened yet again and Papini was left run off his feet and in the others’ wake. Mick asked Papini to go with them but he soon realised that it would have no great effect on the result, so he eased up on Papini and sympathetically decided that there was no point killing the horse (a horse that at the end of the day, owes us nothing after the season he has given us) just to finish 20th instead of 27th. In the end the early front runners cut their own throats by setting such a ridiculously fast pace, with the first nine past the post having been held up during the majority of race and only produced at the end for the most spectacular of grand slam finishes; the Totesport Trophy 3rd placed horse, Pedrobob, took the silverware by a length from the Nicholls/Walsh combination – Ouninpohja. The Favourite, Fair Along, didn’t fair too well only finishing 25th, with Papini being eased to the line and only beating one – The Spoonplayer. The time of the race said it all – 3 seconds faster than standard. After the race Mick dismounted and said that Papini had done nothing wrong – he jumped immaculately but sadly was outpaced and had no chance out the front in his favoured position, where ultimately he needs to run from to win a race. Mick said that we needn’t be disappointed with Papini one bit, Papini earned his entry in the race run and he did not disgrace himself against what are the best calibre handicap hurdlers around. Annoyingly the Handicapper has done his job far too well now but at least we can look forward to an exciting time over fences next season - I have no doubt that Papini will be the most awesome of chasers.

Racing Post Analysis: "Without any doubt whatsoever, this was the best handicap hurdle run this season, considerably hotter than anything that has gone before it. Last year's winner topped the weights on a whopping mark of 161, while among those lurking further down the weights were former winners of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Triumph Hurdle, this year's Champion Hurdle fifth and Arkle Trophy second, a couple of high-class novices and numerous players from some of the top handicaps already run this winter. The only negative to the contest was that nine members of the maximum 29-strong field were forced to race from out of the handicap, but that was merely indicative of the sizzling strength of a renewal that has not been bettered in recent years."

10th February 2007, Totesport Trophy Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1), Newbury. The last few weeks have been so exciting with the build up to the race taking up everyone’s imagination and the possibilities it might hold for us. Sadly it wasn’t to be but what a day we had on Saturday! For once the weather did as it was told and the snow melted, the heavens opened and the racing went ahead. Phew! After Papini’s win at Sandown on heavy ground, we knew that the going would not be an issue as long as it didn’t end up riding sticky, also with so many of the top weights coming out of the race our rise in the weights to 11st 6lbs was less than ideal. The Morning Line tipped Papini plus all of our own confidence must have spilled out on to the punters too because by the time the tape went up we were 3rd favourite behind Tarlac and Acambo. Papini looked cooked to perfection in the Pre-Parade and Parade Ring, lean and athletic with his usual relaxed but quietly confident air exuding from him. Neil, his lad, had done us proud as he looked magnificent. Mick didn’t have a problem locating us in the Paddock, seeing as we must have taken up at least half of it (!) and before being legged up he confirmed that he would let Papini jump out in front and hopefully finish there too! A race of such importance demands a parade in front of the Stands and Papini behaved impeccably before being let off to go down to the start. In a big field the start is often tricky and this was definitely the case with one horse lashing out at another and then an ensuing delay whilst the vet checked the horse over; coupled with the Starter calling the horses back twice before eventually dropping the tape on his third attempt, it wasn’t the best possible start to the race. However Mick immediately positioned Papini at the front and there he stayed, jumping perfectly, until he was headed after the 3rd flight from home. From here the pressure showed and Papini weakened under the weight but fair play to our boy, he tried to rally on but sadly to no avail. In the end Papini finished 13th of 20 runners with the well handicapped 50-1 shot, Heathcote (who we beat at Sandown, frustratingly enough) winning by a neck from Overstrand. In our defence there was only 11 1⁄2 lengths between the winner and us, and as Heathcote was carrying 14lbs less than us this puts things into a better perspective. Both Tarlac and Acambo finished behind us and only two runners ahead of us where carrying more weight than Papini, showing that in a race like this and on sticky, testing ground weight does makes all the difference. Mick dismounted and reported that Papini had done nothing wrong but it was an almost impossible task to ask a horse to win a race of this calibre and type off a mark of 140 (the first four horses were all rated between 126-137) especially on the ground too. Papini was as genuine as ever and Mick said we shouldn’t be disappointed with Papini’s run one bit. The plan now is to give our super star a decent length break (the indication is that Cheltenham will be by-passed), as he has been going for a while now, which will ultimately freshen Papini up and allow us to end the season on a high note. Papini will remain over hurdles for the rest of this season because if we send him chasing now he will lose his valuable novice status for next season, which would be very unwise to do so.

6th January 2007, Ladbroke.com Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2), Sandown. The rain came and the rain came and it didn’t stop! Driving to Sandown was hit and miss the whole way to whether or not racing would go ahead due to the deluge over the past few days. The Clerk of the Course inspected right before racing started and thankfully gave the go ahead but even he wasn’t certain that they would get the whole way through the racecard; the hurdle course was the worse of the two and with Papini’s race being the last hurdle race of four on the card, we knew that it was going to be totally desperate and completely bottomless ground. But all the horses were in the same boat (they probably could have done with one out there too!) and so Nicky decided that we might as well run, at least we knew that Papini was on flying form and would put in a valiant effort over his favoured trip and round a stiff track. Our four main threats in the field of 12, came in the form of the mud-loving 9/2 favourite Orcadian – a Group 3 winner off the Flat, who has taken to the sticks like a duck to water; the low weight Pilca, having run seven times this season and finishing in the 1st four all seven times (including 2 wins); King's Signal who also has acted on slow ground in the past; and finally with her yard in form, the Venetia William’s trained Ma Yahab, at the bottom of the weights thanks to a 3lb claimer on board, looked to be a interesting rival. Having beaten Lunar Crystal at Haydock in November, we knew that we needn’t worry about him and all in all Papini looked well placed to run a big race, the only question would be the ground……

Despite the rain coming down sideways, Papini still stood out a mile in the Paddock; he looked eager yet relaxed and in better condition that I have ever seen him. Nicky’s instructions to Mick, were to drop Papini out in front, let him bowl along and see how far he got, making sure not to give Papini too hard a race if the race turned against us at any stage. Cantering down to the start Papini really caught the eye (so much so I dashed off to the betting ring!), a relaxed, fluent gait giving him an air of real confidence. With the weather worsening, it was a job to see anything but they jumped off and Mick took Papini slightly wide of the pack to the Stands Rail side, trying to find better ground and also giving Papini the space he likes. Not enjoying being held up, after the second flight, Mick moved Papini to the front of the field just in front of the Stands, and Papini instantly stopped pulling, relaxed, pricked his ears and started to really enjoy himself. Jumping like a stag as ever, Papini appeared to be making light work of the horrendous ground – whilst the rest of the field battled through it, Papini almost skipped along. Down the back straight Orcadian joined us but whereas Mick was comfortably sat up in his irons, Mark Bradburne was low in the saddle and driving Orcadian on. At the 6th hurdle Papini was marginally less fluent than normal but as this was his only fault the entire two miles round, we can let him off! Turning in for home, with the hill ahead, I could hardly believe my eyes to see Mick sitting pretty on board our fellow, with the remaining runners being pushed to the boards (this is where I got pretty confident and started screaming our dynamic duo home, much to the alarm of the surrounding racegoers!). Two out Orcadian put in a final bid but Mick asked Papini to find more and he effortlessly changed gear leaving Orcadian floundering in his wake. Going into the final flight we were two lengths clear of the chasing pack but Papini pricked his ears and put in a spectacular leap, then from nowhere he found another gear (must be super sonic), lengthening and accelerating in hock-deep mud to extend his lead to an impressive five lengths from Heathcote and then Ma Yahab. I think we were all left speechless at Papini’s performance, even cool as a cucumber, Mick seemed slightly taken aback. As if on cue, the Heaven’s opened even wider but it didn’t matter one bit, as it would have taken a lot more than rain to dampen the emotions of the heaving throng of NewROG-ites, as we invaded Sandown’s Winners’ Enclosure. Papini, despite having endured the most hideous of conditions looked remarkably fresh and he positively lapped up the limelight. Mick dismounted and reported that Papini was faultless – as soon as he was dropped out in front, Papini bowled along and surprisingly didn’t struggle on the ground at all. Mick said that turning in for home he felt like he was on a fresh horse and he kept expecting something to come back at Papini, but nothing did, so the reserves he had saved in case they were needed in a battle for the line weren’t needed. Mick passed the post with petrol still left in the tank and a machine of a horse under him. What a race and what a racehorse – we knew he was good but I don’t think anybody, Nicky and Mick included, ever thought he was this good! We are one lucky syndicate!

2nd November 2006, Williamhill.co.uk Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 3), Haydock. It was a competitive Class 3 race at Haydock today, with the apparent danger coming in the form of the Jonjo O’Neill trained Manners, owned by the mighty Michael Tabor and ridden by the equally mighty A P McCoy. A dual bumper winner (inc. Class 1 Listed Race at Cheltenham November meeting) three seasons ago (100% strike rate), Manners ran well on all three starts over hurdles last term, winning his last two and he looked feasibly weighted on his handicap debut today. The other horse to respect was Crathorne, effective over this trip and ground and having finished 3rd nine days ago at Cheltenham. But with Seven Barrows on flying form at the moment the betting reflected this, with Papini going off as 5/2 favourite; Manners at 3/1 and Crathorne at 6/1 (8/1 Bar).Papini isn’t the type of horse you want or should disappoint, so as soon as the tape dropped Mick bounced Papini out in front. In his favoured position, Papini immediately switched off and bowled along with his ears pricked thoroughly enjoying himself. Having been schooled over fences for the past few weeks, the hurdles must have seemed like trotting poles to Papini but after taking two flights to get back into the swing of things Papini positively pinged each hurdle in his usual effortless fashion. Haydock is a stiff left handed galloping track with a sharp hurdles course but Papini seems to enjoy this type of track and this being his third visit here he didn’t need a map turning in for home! With the rest of the field struggling four out, Papini was still on the bridle and Mick didn’t have to get to work on him until his lead was momentarily challenged two from home by Crathorne. Loving a battle Papini dug deep and with Mick in perfect rhythm with his mount the race was ours. At the last flight Papini put in a much better jump than Crathorne, which sealed the fate of Dominic Elsworth’s ride. In the run-in Papini showed his usual stoic resolve and gamely stuck on until the line, leaving Crathorne one paced and 2 1⁄2 lengths behind us (3rd: Culcabock; 4th Classic Event). Even more pleasingly with this being Papini’s first run back, there is no doubt that he would have needed the race but interesting the only runners in the race that have already had a race this season, and therefore fitter, came 2nd, 3rd and 4th, with the rest of the field strung out like washing behind them. I spoke to Mick on his way home and he said he could not have been happier with Papini’s performance today; he will come on a lot from the race in terms of fitness and confidence and there is no doubt that we have a big season ahead of us. Nicky is delighted with Papini and feels that he will only improve further this season; after his initial reaction of sending Papini chasing, Nicky now feels that we may well be able to win another decent hurdle race before switching and this should be a serious consideration if the Handicapper isn’t too harsh on us after yesterday’s win. Papini is still young and we are so early on in the season that we still have buckets of time to go chasing and this is definitely where we will end up but we may well see Papini in another hurdle race before doing this. Papini will now be given several weeks to get over the race before Nicky starts looking for another race for him.

2005 ~ 2006 Race Reports - click here.

2004 ~ 2005 Race Reports - click here.