Watch Out For The Mac Comeback!
The British summer is coming to an end, although it’s still far to early to be talking about the pantomime season. A misfiring week for Apprentice Champion Jockey hopeful, Josephine Gordon, means observers can look at a surging Adam McNamara and shout “He’s behind you!” though.
Gordon’s last win came aboard Brick Lane, at Wolverhampton on August 25th. Since then, 26 rides have yielded precisely zero wins although few of her mounts went off at short odds.
Since that date, Mcnamara has ridden Springwood, Almutamarred, Our Boy Jack, Twentysvnthlancers and Lotara to victory and he’s now hot on Gordon’s heels!
McNamara now has 31 wins under his belt, while Gordon is treading water on 35. Tom Marquand still holds the box-seat, with 40, but even he is hitting a bit of a flat spot. He won with Procurator, on August 26th, but has only bagged himself a single winner in 30 races since then (Salouen, 11/10, Salisbury, September 1st).
This looked like being just a duel but, unless Gordon and Marquand can rediscover their best form, Mcnamara could turn this into a 3-ring circus within days! He’s one of the most-exciting young jockeys in the game, who many tip to go right to the very top.
Check out our latest Apprentice Champion Jockey Championship betting odds now!
Jim Crowley Fans Cock-A-Hoop!
Most people would have laughed, if you had said that Jim Crowley is capable of winning this year’s Jockeys’ Championship at the start of the campaign. On Monday, he strengthened his position further, picking up a brace at Brighton and heaping more misery on Silvestre de Sousa.
Colibri went off as an 8/11 favourite and Crowley steered Hugo Palmer’s 2-year-old home with the minimum of fuss. He had a much tougher task on his hands with Buteo Bai, who was up against the very-handy Masterson (who had won twice in less than a fortnight).
What’s more, de Sousa had been given the ride by Mick Channon! It’s races like these that can define a Championship and Crowley just seemed to find that little bit more than his rival, despite Masterson going-off as the clear favourite. The margin of victory was almost 4-lengths and it’s clear that Jim Crowley is in the form of his life.
Crowley picked up a further 3 winners over the weekend (Kempton and York) and looks to have momentum going his way. However, it was only last week that de Sousa rode 4 winners in one day at Epsom so the fat lady has not even warmed-up yet!
Don’t forget that you can bet on the Jockey’s Championship, right here at RaceBets. Check out the latest odds now!
Jockey Health Comes Under The Microscope
One of the most important studies for many years, into jockey health in Great Britain, has begun. Over 120 retired jockeys, from both flat and National Hunt backgrounds, are taking part in the study which will look at injuries that were sustained during their careers.
This initiative will be known as The Jockey Study and it will involve Oxford University, the British Horseracing Authority, the Professional Jockeys Association, and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
It is hoped that new strategies will be formed, through the study’s findings. Former jockey Willie Carson welcomed the project, saying;
“We know that racing is a high-risk sport, so understanding both the risks for injury in current jockeys and the long-term problems in retired jockeys is incredibly important. This research will really improve our knowledge and help racing to look after its jockeys.”
Dale Gibson, the Professional Jockeys Association’s Executive Director of Racing is another keen advocate;
“The findings will enable us to identify ways of reducing injury risk for those who participate in our sport and ensure they are as well-equipped as possible to cope with the physical demands of their job.”
