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Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
CALUM McCLURKIN: The big betting lesson in this jumps season? Be honest with yourself in victory and defeat
When losing a little bit of faith in the game, actually going racing is the perfect tonic. That's precisely what happened when I attended a wonderful day's racing at Perth. An entry fee of £22 on the Wednesday to see arguably the best card the picturesque track has ever staged was a real treat. Seeing Fun Fun Fun in the parade ring was worth the cost of a ticket alone. It's easy to be disillusioned from afar, particularly in a period of punting woe when everything you try just keeps on going wrong. Maybe you've been fooled by an inaccurate going description, felt hard done by with a bad ride, your horse has had no luck in-running and you've had more seconds than Jimmy White in a World Snooker Championship. Every grizzled hard-faced racing punter has been there. You simply can't catch a break. But when the spreadsheet is being painted with a little too much red then there's really only one place to look to place the blame – and that's squarely in the mirror. Despite thoroughly enjoying the action at Perth regardless of winning or losing, I knew that my punting on the day had been incredibly poor. Reading all the signals wrong throughout the card. I took one look at Kiss Will in the paddock and thought: 'Hmmm, not a lot of size to that one.' On the drive over, I basically left the feature race alone to simply think it through thoroughly. I came to two conclusions. The first was Kiss Will would win and stay three miles as his Cheltenham Festival effort could be forgiven as it was such a warm race. Paul Townend picking him out of the Willie Mullins trio was significant and Loughlynn was second in this last year – a dour staying type and I pondered whether the Closutton trainer wanted one of his classier types with a turn of foot to win this important prize in the trainers' title race. Regrettably, I threw all this sensible reasoning out the window on one glance in the paddock where my first impression on Kiss Will was fairly negative. He looked quite scrawny in truth in comparison to the rest of the 13 runners. One look trumped hours of reasonable race analysis. One of the easiest 5-1 winners went abegging. The danger now is compounding mistakes like that and the frustration builds which leads you to chasing losses and making more wrong decisions. Sometimes the best option is to draw stumps for the day. It feels like doing all the homework, behaving in class, not missing any lesson and studying really hard only to get a big fat F in the final exam. All the work put in for no reward. The other Perth punting conclusion I had nailed down beforehand was backing anything trained by Olly Murphy and ridden by Sean Bowen was a very good idea. His record at this Festival was exemplary but the combination weren't firing in the first six races. I spotted Murphy looking rather vexed on the phone at the far end of the paddock after Vocito, another horse I'd backed on the day, was a well-beaten favourite. There was a look of bemusement on him which made me think that the reliable Murphy-Bowen combination might not be the way to go. The trainer won the penultimate race on the card, which was the only Murphy runner I didn't support on the day. It was if you don't laugh you'd greet kind of stuff by the last. I was on the Murphy runner and that finished third. Only Fun Fun Fun, an obvious odds-on winner was a small source of profit on a bruising day. Backing Murphy and Bowen was actually a good policy at Perth. On the Thursday and Friday, Murphy trained seven winners. Bowen, champion jumps jockey, also had seven winners. Six of them with Murphy and he bagged the Highland National with a superb ride on Fairlawn Flyer for father Peter and brother Michael. There is value for trusting your instincts but it's a fine line between keeping the faith and overcompensating for pervious results. It's a dilemma every punter has to tread very carefully. This is where keeping records really matter. It's easy to bury yourself away and be in complete denial about a hefty losing day. Updating the spreadsheet might be a source of pain but it allows you the chance to front up, draw a line under it and move on to the next opportunity. It also maintains routine and keeps you in control. It helps prevent you from falling into the traps of chasing losses and staking too much. We've seen all the responsible betting adverts and there's nothing more sensible than keeping track of what you are doing – win, lose or draw. You can learn plenty in defeat and there's been many of them for myself this season. All you can do is dust yourself down, restore some confidence and go again when ready. Everyone in sport experiences defeat at some stage. It happens in betting, too. NOT JUST PUNTING LESSONS TO BE LEARNED AT PERTH… There was a scary incident in the Listed Mares' Chase at Perth when El Elefante was quickly dismounted after jumping just a few fences. The incident happened just 200 yards away from the winning post and in front of the sitting area at Perth. The screens were erected, connections sprinted towards the horse and the horse ambulance arrived. Everybody assumed the worst. I caught trainer Lucinda Russell walking back from the track to the paddock and she told me that El Elefante was okay and walked into the horse ambulance. That was excellent news to hear and I quickly posted on social media an update on El Elefante. There was a delay to the following race for the veterinary and medical teams to get back into position over the PA. What was not mentioned over that PA announcement was that El Elefante was okay. There was a lot of chatter in the stands and I spent a good 15-20 minutes overhearing conversations about El Elefante and telling as many folk as I could that she was okay. There would have been people leaving Perth that day thinking El Elefante had died on track when that wasn't the case. The screens going up are no longer the death sentence it is presumed to be - and racing must communicate that better. The screens are much about privacy and respect for the horse as well as receiving immediate treatment. Racing was caught out with this over Broadway Boy's fall in the Grand National. Many assumed he'd died when he hadn't. And an update on his condition could have been received a lot quicker. El Elefante received swift and brilliant care. The trainer, jockey Patrick Wadge, vets, medics and all professionals on track deserve immense credit in that situation. It's a shame it went largely unnoticed and a lot of people where left in the dark despite this being a great advert for racing's improved welfare standards.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Willie Mullins makes further inroads into Dan Skelton's British Trainers' Championship lead after Perth double
Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend told Racing TV: "It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. "I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. "Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today." On the title race, he added: "I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!" While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton in the bumper at Ludlow, while his last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow at Taunton's evening meeting, was fifth to add £273 to the pot. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: "He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!" Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home."
North Wales Chronicle
23-04-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Perth double sees Mullins make inroads into title lead of Skelton
Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend told Racing TV: 'It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. 'I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. 'Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today.' On the title race, he added: 'I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!' While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton in the bumper at Ludlow, while his last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow at Taunton's evening meeting, was fifth to add £272 to the pot. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: 'He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!' Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: 'All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home.'
RTÉ News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Perth double sees Mullins narrow trainers' title gap on Skelton
Willie Mullins trails Dan Skelton by £24,289 in the trainers' title race after a Listed double saw the reigning champion significantly erode the deficit at Perth on Wednesday. Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend said: "It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. "I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. "Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today." On the title race, he added: "I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!" While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton – whose last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow, was at Taunton's evening meeting – in the bumper at Ludlow. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: "He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!" Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home."
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Paul Townend says he'd love a Perth jolly after a day of Fun Fun Fun as Irish jockey hero soaks up Scone Palace success
High-flying Paul Townend reckons he'd fancy a jolly at Perth after a day of Fun Fun Fun in the Scottish town. Willie Mullins' No.1 stable jockey savoured a flawless afternoon at Scone Palace Park with two wins from two rides to boost his gaffer's UK trainers title bid in the scrap with Dan Skelton. Townend won Wednesday's two biggest prizes for the Closutton yard aboard 5/1 shot Kiss Will and 4/7 favourite Fun Fun Fun. The Irish horse racing ace was all smiles afterwards as he soaked up the first day of Perth's three-day meeting and said: 'It's a brilliant place to come. Pity we have to do a bit of work when we come here. I'd love to come here on a bit of a jolly sometime! 'I'd say it'd be good fun! A great atmosphere, lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. Credit to them. You couldn't give them enough plaudits for that. It's beautiful.' Kiss Will defeated a strong field to win the three-mile novice hurdle and, although Skelton got second in the race with Royal Infantry, Mullins also had the fourth with You Oughta Know to collect more prize money. Townend duly completed his double in the three-mile mares' chase on Fun Fun Fun and Mullins also had the second with Paggane to move just over £11,000 at that stage behind in the trainer bid. The pilot's selection of Kiss Will was telling and he explained: 'I won a maiden on him earlier in the year and I can't figure out what happened to him in Cheltenham . 'Maybe he needed another run going there or something. I don't know, but it was too bad to be true. "But he travelled really well throughout the race. The trip was an unknown, but he coped with it no problem. I hope he can have a bright future. 'That was the only blip on the biggest day, but it was good to get him back. Big field and depth in it as well, but he went through the race really nicely and I hope he can build on that.' On the Fun Fun Fun success, he added: 'I suppose she made harder work of it than I was kind of hoping. The race in Limerick the last day, she bounced out and attacked everywhere and was really forward. 'She relaxed. Maybe it's just runs that are steadying her up. But there was plenty in the locker when I needed it. She's done an important job.' Skelton hit straight back in the trainers battle after Mullins double when 11/4 chance Etalon won the two-mile handicap chase and over £8,000 to re-extend his title lead. But, speaking on Racing TV, Townend said he'd just concentrate on horses and not calculators as he laughed: 'I'll leave someone else to figure the maths out. I'll try and keep my job!'
