The Real Whacker is the best again

Flashback to the golden era of the 1980s, when the race was won by Wayward Lad, Burrough Hill Lad and Forgive N’Forget. About the reign of Barton Bank in the 90s See More Business, continuing one after another into the new millennium.

A race in which the best Britons started.

And in 2024 they were going to do it again. But times are very different, and the home closet on this level is frighteningly empty.

A lack of rain ruled out Gray Dawn, leaving 2022 winner and 2023 runner-up Bravemansgame to target the Irish raiding party.

And on the day when Messenger Allen landed Hewick and Jerry Colomb and company at Down Royal, when Galopin De Champs and Fact To File watched from their boxes at Closutton, and Fasterslow also never left his base, they did not there were A. -listers.

And they weren’t good enough.

The Real Walker, the 2023 Cheltenham Festival Brown Advisory winner, has returned to life from the front under Brian Hughes. A local winner for a good crowd who roars back.

Significantly, he was the first rider in Yorkshire’s premier race chasing the leading northern National Hunt rider and it was clear from the outset that the partnership, forged at short notice in Sam Twiston-Davies’ absence, had taken hold.

Gradually the winner picked up the pace, striding perfectly over his fences and with a rhythm that broke the Raiders by the time they jumped third from the bottom.

After some time, the only question that needed to be answered was what exactly was Harry Cobden sitting on board the Breymansheim at second? The answer, it turned out, was fresh air.

The Real Whacker was not designed to catch and spark wild celebrations among a jubilant group of owners. It’s a big day for them – and a big prize to catch.

“We always knew Wacker was a serious horse, there was no doubt about that, but after his last 12 or 14 months and what happened at Listowel when he hit the fence five times, you might have a little doubt.” – admitted Ko. -owner David Mann, resplendent in a stunning maroon suit.

“But it was fantastic to see Wacker back at his best, Paddy (Neville) showed he has some form of him today. “Brian Hughes had a great trip, it’s a shame Sam wasn’t here, we would have loved to see him step up but it didn’t happen.”

Neville now trains at the yard of Sally Hall in Middleham, a relative of the man after whom the big race is named.

Afterwards he was besieged by offers of congratulatory drinks, but before they started coming he took the time to say: “I never wrote him off, but everyone else did, but now it’s done.

“We were just unlucky last season. Every time we tried to overtake him, the heavens opened early. Today he took his position and I was happy all the way.”

“We always intended to return for the Gold Cup to his field. That’s still our plan and we’ll go back to the Cotswold Chase and maybe the King George. Wherever he gets his way.

“He’ll wear a headdress if I get my way.”

The massive celebrations by The Real Whacker team stood in stark contrast to the lengthy debriefing carried out by Harry Cobden and Bravemansgame connections trainer Paul Nicholls, a notable absentee remaining down south at Ascot.

The champion jockey came out and said: “He’s nowhere near his best. The winner’s rating is 157, so we’re officially down to 153, aren’t we, which is way below his rating.

“We’ll see what Paul thinks, but next time he’ll wear the headdress anyway if I get my way.”

Next on the chase calendar on these shores is the Betfair Chase at Haydock. The Real Whacker is not in the plans, Bravemansgame, as you assume, will not return to Newton-le-Willows either.

Perhaps this is the day when Gray Dawn kicks off the upcoming season and wins a prestigious prize along the way. Venetia Williams could unleash last year’s Royal Pagaille and L’Homme Presse winner, perhaps Iroko will return to his fast-growing team.

Some are waiting in the wings. And while Mullins and his company sit back all fall, it’s time to make hay while the sun shines. Over the past two weeks, that’s been enough to give Real Walker a chance to gain a foothold – and in return, he’s given his team a day to enjoy it.

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