RACING CONFIDENTIAL: BHA in disbelief over hugely controversial whip ruling, yet more good news for Sir Alex Ferguson and the truth about Constitution Hill’s struggles

There is disbelief in the offices of the British Horseracing Authority after the most controversial decision of the flat season.

Alphonse Le Grande was a shock 33-1 winner of the Cesarewitch on October 12 at Newmarket, but three days later he was disqualified after a Whip Review Committee ruled that his amateur jockey Jamie Powell had struck the horse ten times. In a flat race a rider may use his ‘stick’ six times.

However, Alphonse Le Grande’s connections appealed, arguing that Powell’s 10th ‘strike’ had failed to make real contact with the gelding, who was at the time being trained in Ireland by Cathy O’Leary, while usual trainer Tony Martin had a was serving a ban for violating the rules. anti-doping rules.

The case was heard by an independent three-member panel in London last Thursday and there was a huge shock when chairman Sara Crowther returned with the decision that Alphonse Le Grande should be reinstated, leaving number two Manxman connections furious and BHA officials shocked. .

Manxman, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford in Newmarket, had come through the nose and the outcome was that the difference in prize money between them was more than £57,000 – the winner got £90,195, the runners-up received £42,297.50.

“We do not believe the BHA has been able to convince us that there was contact when Mr Powell’s arm returned and the whip passed over the horse’s back,” Crowther said. ‘We note that his body position (on the tenth attempt) was different than on the first nine strokes.

‘It seems to us that he was somewhat crouched and off balance on his left side and very low in the saddle… by adopting a pragmatic interpretation of the word ‘use’ we find that it is not every single contact between a whip and a horse that will amount to utility.”

Yet Powell was still given a 20-day suspension (instead of the initial 28) and if you watch the video again, it’s clear that he was trying to punch Alphonse Le Grande for the tenth time. Just because he didn’t connect doesn’t mean the intention wasn’t there, and it seemed like an obvious case.

Ruby Walsh on ITV Racing used the analogy that it is similar to golf: if a golfer hits an air shot, it is still a stroke, so what is the difference here? It’s an unprecedented turn of events and when Crowther made her decision after a three-hour hearing, there was widespread disbelief.

It is unlikely that this will be the end of the matter. When asked for comment by Racing Confidential, a BHA spokesperson said: ‘We are disappointed with the outcome of the appeal hearing and will carefully consider the panel’s written reasons when we receive them.’

National Hunt talents join forces

Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm have one of the most progressive National Hunt stables in Europe and they have signed a deal with one of the most promising riders in the world.

Michael O’Sullivan is based in Ireland, but made a trip across the water last week at the request of George and Zetterholm, who are based in Chantilly.

It was also a huge success as his two rides were winners: Midnight Exit Mandatory in Hereford and then Do It Again in Bangor-on-Dee.

Do It Again was particularly striking, a big, sturdy three-year-old with a powerful engine and he must have learned a huge amount from his first spin over obstacles. What will also have helped was the thoughtful and educational ride he received from O’Sullivan.

The 24-year-old is best known for his partnership with Marine Nationale, winner of the 2023 Supreme Novices Hurdle, but the sport’s top judges are raving about him and it is fascinating that he will come to England when commitments allow. ride for George and Zetterholm.

“Do It Again won with a lot in hand,” O’Sullivan told Racing Confidential. ‘He is a nice horse to look forward to. I spent the summer with Noel and Amanda in Chantilly and they are wonderful people. I’ll go anywhere to ride a winner for them. I have a good success rate with them.’

Zut alors, Il Est Francais

Sticking with George and Zetterholm, it’s impossible not to think about the colossal disappointment of Il Est Francais’ run at Auteuil on Sunday. He was sent off as favorite for the Prix La Haye Jousselin but was stopped halfway through the Grade One event.

Il Est Francais has been on everyone’s minds since his performance in Kempton on Boxing Day last year, when he drew gasps from the way he jumped in the Kauto Star Novices Chase. Such was his majesty that it prompted some observers that day to compare him to the sport’s greatest fighter.

Since then, however, things have not gone according to plan. Il Est Francais finished last of five in Auteuil in April before returning to action in September with a pleasing victory on the same course. However, the deplorable nature of last weekend’s outing suggests an internal malady.

“He’s completely healthy now and physically he seems fine,” says George, who wanted to take Il Est Francais to Kempton for King George on Boxing Day. “There’s no point in making any decisions now until we get the test results back.”

Double joy for Sir Alex

What a weekend for Sir Alex Ferguson and his friends, the kind of weekend that was as spectacular as a lottery win. Some owners have been racing all their lives and have never come close to the buzz of four big winners that the old Manchester United boss had in the space of 24 hours.

Spirit Dancer has won the biggest prize in Bahrain and there is a good chance that the globetrotting superstar will travel again. He is entered for the Hong Kong Vase in Sha Tin on December 8 and it would not be a surprise if he did well.

The best news of the past week for Ferguson, however, was the fact that Kalif Du Berlais – a rookie fighter with huge potential – is checked out and fully healthy after a terrible fall in Carlisle last Monday that left a packed crowd worried.

Kalif Du Berlais was extensively examined on the course before he was taken back to the stable in a horse ambulance. It then returned to Paul Nicholls’ yard at Ditcheat and was reassessed. That’s how he’s recovered, the former Champion Trainer already has a race in mind for him.

Provided he continues to please Nicholls, Kalif Du Berlais could undertake a novice chase of two miles and two furlong at Newbury next Friday – the same day Ferguson’s expensive recruit Caldwell Potter (whom he owns along with Ged Mason, John Hales and Peter Done). will probably be released on the same track.

Is Sir Gino the key to Constitution Hill’s battle?

There has been much debate following Tuesday’s gallop up Constitution Hill in Newbury, with many rushing to declare that the former champion hurdler is a pale shadow of what he once was and that retirement beckons.

It was a remarkable look at a horse who has never set the world on fire with what he does at home – Henderson didn’t think Constitution Hill was any good at all after seeing him gallop for the first time – but it adds intrigue ahead of his return to Newcastle on Saturday week.

Another way to look at what we saw in Newbury is this: perhaps his galloping companion Sir Gino has made stratospheric progress. He was brilliant last season and the horse he beat legless at Cheltenham on Trials Day in January, Burdett Road, has just run away with the Greatwood Hurdle.

Sir Gino is currently 6-1 ahead of the Arkle Chase at the festival in March next year and Henderson told Racing Confidential that his training – the first time over five fences, the second time over 10 fences – has been exciting.

If he does what they think he will do next Monday at Kempton, he won’t be at 6-1 for much longer.