Amateur and Professional Jockeys Who Are Positives At Cheltenham

[Spectre]

Given we have the NH Chase, Kim Muir, and Foxhunter just for amateur jockeys, outside Jamie Codd, Barry O’Neill, Derek O’Connor, and Lisa O’Neill, who would you currently view as a positive if they were jocked up?

Also now I think about it, which professional jockeys currently riding would you rather have on than Codd, O’Neill, or O’Connor? Not many I guess, which suggests now the big three have retired, we have a lack of talent at the top end. Discuss.

It leads to the obvious question of which professional jockeys would you current regard as positives at Cheltenham, and are there some high profile jockeys that you currently wouldn’t want near a horse you’ve backed?

[ryanh97]

It leads to the obvious question of which professional jockeys would you current regard as positives at Cheltenham, and are there some high profile jockeys that you currently wouldn’t want near a horse you’ve backed?

Davy, every single time.

And if I can't get him, probably Puppy Power.

I'm terms of one's I wouldn't want near, I think we had the discussion last year but I'm not one in the Mark Walsh fan club.

[TigerRolllllll]

Top jockeys prob obvious ones for me - Paul T, Davy R, Rachel B, Jack K, Harry C ....and like Harry S

Not such a fan of Nico and Robbie Power, but still pretty good

But each of above have diff strengths.....maybe Harry C most stylish, Davy best to ride big race pressure, Rachel great tactically, etc

[Imperial Commander]

Happy enough with Patrick Mullins as an amateur jockey.

Also very happy to see Davy on any horse, particularly in the handicaps.

Not a big fan of Charlie Deutsch though I'm afraid.

[TigerRolllllll]

Might also need to consider type of race and tactics

Ruby was prob best I have seen, but wouldn’t back anyone against Barry G in finish (except maybe McCoy)

Niche example, but if I wanted to send a chaser out front and needed someone to get it jumping well.....prob couldn’t do better than put Bryony on it.

[Nortons who]

In the Amateur ranks, David Maxwell doesn't look the most stylish but he's dead keen and fearless in the Hunter Chasing ranks. More importantly in this sphere, he has got significant resources as owner / rider to invest in some high class Hunter Chasers.

Overall, he probably deserves to lift the Foxhunters Trophy because of his enthusiasm and determination for such a dangerous pastime for which he doesn't appear to be as talented as some of his peers.

[OverTheLast]

I'm genuinely praying that Tizzard has something in the Ballymore so that Power isn't on Bob Olinger.

[Hurricane fly]

I'm genuinely praying that Tizzard has something in the Ballymore so that Power isn't on Bob Olinger.

Why wouldn’t Rachel ride?

[OverTheLast]

Isn't Power #1 rider for Robcour?

[Hurricane fly]

She’s ridden Bob O in both hurdles so far.

Unsure about owners having Power as their number one jockey

[Olliemagern]

Isn't Power #1 rider for Robcour?

Imagine We will find out if he’s gunna ride the horse if he comes over if it runs in the lawlors. With it being a grade 1 he will be able to come over and ride will he not? If he doesn’t I’d imagine there’s not much chance he gets first leg up on horse ever at Cheltenham.

[OverTheLast]

Yeah she's ridden him as Power is based in England with Tizzard now was my understanding - but he still had the choice of Robcour rides if he was ever home/free - someone had told me that was the agreement when Power rode Chris Dream in the Grade 1 at Down Royal.

That's just my understanding - and would be DELIGHTED to be corrected?

[Eggs]

....Skelton tends to go under the radar. I’d be interested in the odds for him to have 2 or 3 Festival winners.

[The King Pimm]

I’m in a minority on this opinion, I may even be on my own but I’d get rid of amateur jockey races at the Cheltenham Festival. I think the races could stay but replace them with conditionals and claimers if need be or get the professionals on board. The NHC would be a much improved race as a result and attract better horses. If the Cheltenham Festival is considered to be horse racing elite competition then it should not have amateur races. The pool of good amateur jockeys appears to get more limited every year and the quality of the amateur races struggle as a result.

[Spectre]

I'm kind of with you on this TKP, but only in the reasons why. I wouldn't want to see the Amateurs go per se, but I don't want to see jockeys that aren't good enough get a ride. I have a similar issue with the Conditionals.

I would like to see the Amateurs and Conditionals having to qualify to be able to ride in some way, even the veterans of the sport. Perhaps through a series of races through the season, and the outcome is a pool of riders that are available to be jocked up.