Moore's Not Too Merry This Time

Jul 13 2008 Joe Punter

I HAVE usually been quick to join the hymns of praise for saddle star Ryan Moore but not after two of his worst ever 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.

Ryan came from another county to finish a nostril off Little White Lie and although he is the champion jock elect I'm sure even the wee man would acknowledge these efforts won't number among the highlights when he looks back on his career.

The one thing in Moore's favour is he is still young and from a strong racing family who will help him learn from his mistakes.

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 lousy money involved at present.

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