Moore's Not So Merry

Jul 13 2008 Joe Punter

I HAVE been quick to join the hymns of praise for Ryan Moore but he had two nightmare rides at Newmarket last week.

Full marks to Jimmy Fortune for the way he stole the Princess Of Wales's Stakes on Lucarno but Moore was sitting with a ton of horse under him in Papal Bull.

And he still managed to get pocketed in during a six-runner race with a furlong to go.

Moore finished like a train to be second, the same position he occupied the next day aboard Lovelace in the Bunbury Cup.

Moore came from another county to finish a nostril off Little Whit Lie and although he is the champion jock elect I'm sure even the wee man would acknowledge these rides won't number among the highlights of his career.

GOOD on the National Association of Stable Staff for putting in a claim for a 10 per cent pay hike.

They have hee-haw chance of getting it but at least it shows they have the cojones to take on the miserly trainers who think they should do the job for love - because it sure as heck can't be for the money.

CALLING John McPherson of Lanark. The mighty Lammtarra didn't win the Eclipse in the year of his Derby victory, 1995.

That was the first of Halling's quickfire double in the historic Sandown feature. Maybe you're thinking of Lammtarra's triumph in the King George that season.

GOT a racing query? Write to Joe Punter, Sports Desk, Sunday Mail, Glasgow G3 8DA or email joepunter@sundaymail.co.uk