jono
Fat Jockey Patron (est. Jan 2021)
I can't decide whether I'm happy or not with my ante post get on Footpad now! Brilliant round of jumping again bar the last and won cosily although PM made 2 mistakes and was only ridden out hands and heels to be within 5 lengths of FP. I suppose it all depends on how fit PM actually was today. Is FP ground dependent?
Although his best form is on soft ground, i'm not overly concerned about good ground for him, particularly as he is such a young horse so I wouldn't want to make a judgement yet. Certainly not until how he gets on on better ground in the Spring festivals in what looks his best discipline.
Watching back on some his rides, in particular on better ground - Irish champion hurdle (1L defeat by Petit Mouchoir), Triumph Hurdle (3rd), Champion Hurdle (4th) and Champion Stayers Hurdle (3rd) the ground doesn't look to have hindered him. Held up in all races, sometimes very far back he's always travelled nicely and picked up very well, without looking outpaced on the ground. For me it was just his ceiling over hurdles rather than the ground holding back.