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12 Mar 25
20:48
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Date Joined:
26 Jun 12
Nico is a rank amateur riding world class horses in big races. Buckley and JP have to step in and take the decision of who rides away from Henderson.
He always has excuses as to why he screwed it up. The warning signs were there when jockey error nearly brought down CH in the race before last. I'll ask again - how can a stable go from one of the greatest ever jump jockeys in the brilliant Barry Geraghty to having Nico DB onboard.
He always has excuses as to why he screwed it up. The warning signs were there when jockey error nearly brought down CH in the race before last. I'll ask again - how can a stable go from one of the greatest ever jump jockeys in the brilliant Barry Geraghty to having Nico DB onboard.
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there are quite a few top jockeys not handling the quickish ground at Championship pace.
surprising i mean their brains dont work quick enough now they arent riding their class animals in ploughed fields against 2nd raters at half pace most of the race.
i dont blame the horses for being asked too much or at the wrong time on quicker ground i think the jockeys need to sit for longer without getting over-excited as class will out at the close even if they are a few lengths behind until two out. that’s why they aren’t brain surgeons.
surprising i mean their brains dont work quick enough now they arent riding their class animals in ploughed fields against 2nd raters at half pace most of the race.
i dont blame the horses for being asked too much or at the wrong time on quicker ground i think the jockeys need to sit for longer without getting over-excited as class will out at the close even if they are a few lengths behind until two out. that’s why they aren’t brain surgeons.
have you ridden many winners?
Not necessary to have ridden winners to accurately assess a jockey's ability relative to their peers, once they've had a large number of rides.
Whitley Ratings, for example.
Some on here, wondersobright, for example. I don't know how exactly they compile their stats (actual over expected, for example?), but they could probably give you a good statistically- based assessment of a jockey's ability.
Not necessary to have ridden winners to accurately assess a jockey's ability relative to their peers, once they've had a large number of rides.
Whitley Ratings, for example.
Some on here, wondersobright, for example. I don't know how exactly they compile their stats (actual over expected, for example?), but they could probably give you a good statistically- based assessment of a jockey's ability.
When have you ever heard a pundit criticize a jockey ,doesn’t happen .Geragthy was making a lot of mistakes late on in his career .if you bet on horses you have to accept that you are going to get poor rides , if I were an owner I would keep using the younger more hungry and up and coming jockeys such as Ben Jones at the moment .I-remember when McCoy was a claimer all the pro punters at the track knew his value.Was it David Barons who said about jockeys ,all they can do is eff it up ?
Jockey X must be good cuz so and so says so, stands to reason dunnit?
or
Jockey X must be good or else trainer X wouldn't use him, stands to reason dunnit?
Anyway, how many winners have you ridden, eh?
Take for example, Tom Queally, someone on here argued that he must be a good jockey because he was employed by Barney Curley and Sir Henry Cecil.
Well, where were all the top job offers for Queally, who in age terms was at the peak of his career, when Lady Cecil gave up the licence?
When the Abdullah job came up, where they banging on Queally's door, after all, he rode Frankel?
No, was it James Doyle who got the job around that time?
or
Jockey X must be good or else trainer X wouldn't use him, stands to reason dunnit?
Anyway, how many winners have you ridden, eh?
Take for example, Tom Queally, someone on here argued that he must be a good jockey because he was employed by Barney Curley and Sir Henry Cecil.
Well, where were all the top job offers for Queally, who in age terms was at the peak of his career, when Lady Cecil gave up the licence?
When the Abdullah job came up, where they banging on Queally's door, after all, he rode Frankel?
No, was it James Doyle who got the job around that time?
It's all about being fashionable. Look at Tadgh O'Shea, champion jockey 12 times in Dubai, most people over here would say he's useless. They can't both be right.
They even had mick Fitzgerald as stable jockey once upon a time, how bad was he.
Mick Fitz was an excellent jockey,great judge of pace.
George , I asked how many winners he has ridden to pit it into some sort of perspective as it is v easy to criticise...
Yes his stats are bang on. 308-242-1321 (23%) exp 310, so exactly bang on the money with his rides for Nicky.
Sadliers , yes pundits very rarely criticise a ride but they all quite regularly praise nicos rides. A lot of being a jockey is about making the right choices in a race in fraction of a second and making the least amount of mistakes and if the horse is good enough he nearly always puts it in a place it can win from and is uncomplicated in doing so.
G Hall, bad jocks don't win gold cups and grand nationals. They could maybe get lucky in one, but not win both.
Yes his stats are bang on. 308-242-1321 (23%) exp 310, so exactly bang on the money with his rides for Nicky.
Sadliers , yes pundits very rarely criticise a ride but they all quite regularly praise nicos rides. A lot of being a jockey is about making the right choices in a race in fraction of a second and making the least amount of mistakes and if the horse is good enough he nearly always puts it in a place it can win from and is uncomplicated in doing so.
G Hall, bad jocks don't win gold cups and grand nationals. They could maybe get lucky in one, but not win both.
I'm not surprised Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy sing Nico's praise. Both very happy he is riding for a main competitor for sure...
with jockeys certain forumites see what they think is a bad ride(it may have been we all have off days or things don't go right every time) often one they have backed and it sticks in their mind and they start studying the rides of that jock and they are looking for reasons to be critical often focusing solely on the jockey and virtually ignoring any other jocks in the race, it becomes a bit of an obsession and they are looking for any so called mistakes especially when the jockey is beaten on a fancied un!
we have all shouted under our breath @useless khant or whatever when one is given a what we think is a poor looking ride but on relection once the adrenaline has worn off you realise its swings and roundabouts and all part of the game and not worth getting wound up about it you cant change the result .
Storm alert, hardly - AP employed JP and who does NB ride jonbon for ?
I agree with you Foyles. It's not all about driving one home in a finish and people being impressed with a strong ride.
But It's about the 1000 other little bits that get to that situation and NB might not be the strongest / most stylish .. but he puts the horse into that winning position time and time again without much effort.
That's why he's good enough for nicky and JP and most of the senior jocks all jealous of him riding at Hendos with the good horses.
Is he the best jockey riding in the UK ? No.
But as a jockey he probably has the no 1 plum job in the UK.
I agree with you Foyles. It's not all about driving one home in a finish and people being impressed with a strong ride.
But It's about the 1000 other little bits that get to that situation and NB might not be the strongest / most stylish .. but he puts the horse into that winning position time and time again without much effort.
That's why he's good enough for nicky and JP and most of the senior jocks all jealous of him riding at Hendos with the good horses.
Is he the best jockey riding in the UK ? No.
But as a jockey he probably has the no 1 plum job in the UK.
New Lion jumped the last same as Const Hill did, one hit the top and came down Lion cleared it by an inch or Skelton would've been getting it on here for not seeing a stride. fine margins.
to be fair to deck 2 1 to 2 shots inside 24 hrs who,ve never fallen in their lifes before ,should get Nico in the all time history books
Sometimes lady luck smiles on ypu and other times she doesn't. One day you get away with it and another you don't. Sometimes a horse makes an error and you get ur d , another time you catch yourself.. It's racing.
Another day the start would be different for jonbon. Luck / misfortune plays a part.
Another day the start would be different for jonbon. Luck / misfortune plays a part.
what about the ride on jango baie ? many would have given up on that as said swings and roundabouts ,every race is different, pace ,tactical positioning and luck etc .
oneten 13 Mar 25 06:32
George , I asked how many winners he has ridden to pit it into some sort of perspective as it is v easy to criticise...
Yes his stats are bang on. 308-242-1321 (23%) exp 310, so exactly bang on the money with his rides for Nicky.
Thank you for the expected figure, oneten. So you do understand that you don't need to have ridden winners yourself to get some sort of handle on how many winners a jockey should have ridden and a gauge on their ability relative to their peers?
So he's not exceeding expectations with that A/E figure, but I suppose you could factor in that Henderson's horses are often overbet?
George , I asked how many winners he has ridden to pit it into some sort of perspective as it is v easy to criticise...
Yes his stats are bang on. 308-242-1321 (23%) exp 310, so exactly bang on the money with his rides for Nicky.
Thank you for the expected figure, oneten. So you do understand that you don't need to have ridden winners yourself to get some sort of handle on how many winners a jockey should have ridden and a gauge on their ability relative to their peers?
So he's not exceeding expectations with that A/E figure, but I suppose you could factor in that Henderson's horses are often overbet?
the best jockeys make the least mistakes , I was always confident if Mick kinane was riding one I backed ,very rarly had a fancied horse in the wrong posi I'm.
You could question Nico's frame of mind prior to the race, because he was getting stroppy with JJ Slevin down at the start when they went to have a look at the fence, and then he used the f-word when presumably he was aware he might be being filmed as Luke Harvey and a camera were there.
When they jumped off he was already in a less-than-ideal position as he was racing wide off the rail and thus covering more ground than those to his inner. I don't recall seeing Ruby Walsh in that position on a hot favourite in a championship race.
When they jumped off he was already in a less-than-ideal position as he was racing wide off the rail and thus covering more ground than those to his inner. I don't recall seeing Ruby Walsh in that position on a hot favourite in a championship race.
Good point George ... just how much of that tension is transferred through the reins?
Not as if he was declared to ride at the start,stable jock for many seasons,you knew what you were getting.
Took me a while to work him out way back,Coneygree and Might Bite were high profile rides,both veered to the right in their famous finnishes.
Of course everything written about those horses,and their racing traits,came from guess who?
Watch the races back.
Now ride them at the end of your tether .... This time your LEFT HANDED.
Not as if he was declared to ride at the start,stable jock for many seasons,you knew what you were getting.
Took me a while to work him out way back,Coneygree and Might Bite were high profile rides,both veered to the right in their famous finnishes.
Of course everything written about those horses,and their racing traits,came from guess who?
Watch the races back.
Now ride them at the end of your tether .... This time your LEFT HANDED.
the arkle ride like some of Bowens this season getting MSM/pundits bedwetting are the easiest rides to have,your horse is going as fast as it can go,all you've got to do is keep pushing it no decisions to make
In the top races I think we can all agree it's fine margins and you are also riding against the best jump jockeys in UK/Ireland. Nico is out of his depth and he makes so many little mistakes that add up.
Henderson is in the twilight of his career and he is either loyal to a fault or just can't be bothered to make a change. Nichols and Aiden O'Brien made several changes firing top jockeys until they were happy. Henderson could still massively upgrade Nico but chooses not to. I think the owners will step in especially Buckley. We shall see.
(p.s Very few other trainers use Nico. That speaks volumes.)
Henderson is in the twilight of his career and he is either loyal to a fault or just can't be bothered to make a change. Nichols and Aiden O'Brien made several changes firing top jockeys until they were happy. Henderson could still massively upgrade Nico but chooses not to. I think the owners will step in especially Buckley. We shall see.
(p.s Very few other trainers use Nico. That speaks volumes.)
George, yes it helps if the OP has ridden winners before making his original statement . Hence why I asked it.
For an armchair jockey sitting at home criticising , let's use jonbons race yesterday as an example.
O look at nico, he effed it up, got left at the start and was in the wrong place in the race bla bla bla .. yes ?
Well had the op ridden some winners then he would have some experience of the subject and be able to voice an opinion based on knowledge not what sitting in an armchair gives you.
When at the start there is a scrum for the inside rail , some come in faster than others , some jostle and bang into you trying to grab a more favoured position.
Some horses are wound up - like jonbon so don't need any extra hassles to blow them up. When the starter doesn't let you go, he shouts at all the jocks to take a turn, but you are scared to take a turn, in case you are the only one who turns all the way round and he let's them go with you facing the wrong way.
Ot happens. A lot.
This is just one 30 seconds scenario that you have to deal with to try and manage the bestvway you can , and it's not like driving a car where you put it into gear and release the clutch and the same thing happens every time. You are dealing with an unpredictable animal which goes one way and then the other and you have to try to keep it calm yet anticipate the start or else you are on the back foot.
Go and do it, then the Op has earnt the right to come back and criticise. It's not always possible to get the best start. It happens. It's racing.
All you can do is put your horse in the best position and hope everything else lines up .
For an armchair jockey sitting at home criticising , let's use jonbons race yesterday as an example.
O look at nico, he effed it up, got left at the start and was in the wrong place in the race bla bla bla .. yes ?
Well had the op ridden some winners then he would have some experience of the subject and be able to voice an opinion based on knowledge not what sitting in an armchair gives you.
When at the start there is a scrum for the inside rail , some come in faster than others , some jostle and bang into you trying to grab a more favoured position.
Some horses are wound up - like jonbon so don't need any extra hassles to blow them up. When the starter doesn't let you go, he shouts at all the jocks to take a turn, but you are scared to take a turn, in case you are the only one who turns all the way round and he let's them go with you facing the wrong way.
Ot happens. A lot.
This is just one 30 seconds scenario that you have to deal with to try and manage the bestvway you can , and it's not like driving a car where you put it into gear and release the clutch and the same thing happens every time. You are dealing with an unpredictable animal which goes one way and then the other and you have to try to keep it calm yet anticipate the start or else you are on the back foot.
Go and do it, then the Op has earnt the right to come back and criticise. It's not always possible to get the best start. It happens. It's racing.
All you can do is put your horse in the best position and hope everything else lines up .
how many horses has Buckley got running in one season at the same time ?
how many has Buckley got running this week at chelt one ?
1st time poster .... My point is that will he want to make a change on Constitution Hill and step in and say to Henderson I want someone else. It wasn't referring to any other horses he might have.
ONETEN..... I always think this is the most ridiculous argument 'how many winners have you ridden'? Does this mean that nobody on this forum can voice an opinion unless they were a former jockey?
Do you think all pundits agree? Plenty of those haven't ridden any winners. The former jump jockeys never criticise other jockeys which is unfortunate and many of them are all mates.
If you have watched as much racing as I have and I'm sure many on this forum have then I think I can form an opinion based on facts.
There are so many jockeys I rate highly but Nico is not one of them. Not good tactically, pacing races, weak in a finish. The evidence is bloody obvious when you watch him compared to Townsend, Sam TD, Cobden etc. Henderson needs much better.
Do you think all pundits agree? Plenty of those haven't ridden any winners. The former jump jockeys never criticise other jockeys which is unfortunate and many of them are all mates.
If you have watched as much racing as I have and I'm sure many on this forum have then I think I can form an opinion based on facts.
There are so many jockeys I rate highly but Nico is not one of them. Not good tactically, pacing races, weak in a finish. The evidence is bloody obvious when you watch him compared to Townsend, Sam TD, Cobden etc. Henderson needs much better.
to be fair hendo was quit happy to leg Jerry up on his horses 3 yrs ago 
Yes 1tp , but legging up jerry is the same as gosden legging up rab . No 2 riding to orders.
If the owners are happy things will stay as , If not I would imagine they will change , also Nicky is no ones fool
NDB confidence will have obviously taken a knock
Newmarket , yes everyone is entitled to their opinion.
But like I said, if you had ridden winners your criticism would be more valid as it would be based on experience, rather than just sitting on a chair watching the racing.
Go and give it a go , then when you appreciate how hard it can be amd how it is not possible to get it right all the time BECAUSE YOUR PARTNER IS AN UNPREDICTABLE ANIMAL , you won't be so quick to criticise.
If nico is so bad as you say - not good tactically , pace and weak in a finish, then are you making bundles laying him ?
Don't you think it odd that some of the most respected people in a multi billion pound industry disagree with you ? Trainers who have won every top race in the calendar, multiple cleaners champion jockeys and billionaire owners who aren't anyone's fools.
Yet here you are , you know more than all of them.
I doff my cap to you.
But like I said, if you had ridden winners your criticism would be more valid as it would be based on experience, rather than just sitting on a chair watching the racing.
Go and give it a go , then when you appreciate how hard it can be amd how it is not possible to get it right all the time BECAUSE YOUR PARTNER IS AN UNPREDICTABLE ANIMAL , you won't be so quick to criticise.
If nico is so bad as you say - not good tactically , pace and weak in a finish, then are you making bundles laying him ?
Don't you think it odd that some of the most respected people in a multi billion pound industry disagree with you ? Trainers who have won every top race in the calendar, multiple cleaners champion jockeys and billionaire owners who aren't anyone's fools.
Yet here you are , you know more than all of them.
I doff my cap to you.
Ruby was critical of him on Jonbon , said he put the horse on the tape
trainers.owners put up
grant
Lizzie Kelly
jerry
etc
etc
grant
Lizzie Kelly
jerry
etc
etc
Oneten the OP has an unhealthy fixation with NDB and wrong imo as I have said many times, the facts and stats prove different. On the other hand he is right in terms of not needing to have ridden a horse never mind ridden winners to give an opinion.
You are being patronising and making assumptions to big yourself up i.e you opined on a race using a 4" screen and lectured others on why they were wrong when in fact you were the one who was wrong. Also claimed to be able to read the mind of a horse, never heard so much BS.
You are being patronising and making assumptions to big yourself up i.e you opined on a race using a 4" screen and lectured others on why they were wrong when in fact you were the one who was wrong. Also claimed to be able to read the mind of a horse, never heard so much BS.
Perhaps Jonbon just doesnt like Cheltenham not the first time these fences and undulations have caught him out
a very good horse and not the first top one to fail going over these fences/hurdles at Festival Annie Power, Stateman, CH etc
it's a test alright and to just blame NDB is short-sighted imo
a very good horse and not the first top one to fail going over these fences/hurdles at Festival Annie Power, Stateman, CH etc
it's a test alright and to just blame NDB is short-sighted imo
Oneten... Why do you keep making this nonsensical argument. I don't ride horses but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate how difficult it is to ride a race horse. People like you always pick up on the negative opinions and use it as stick to try to sound morally superior. I am also very complimentary about Harry Cobden on these pages. Am I talking out my arse because I've never ridden a horse?
Try looking at the evidence and form your own opinion rather than being obtuse and denigrating other people who might differ from the narrative. This is why I don't bother with this forum much as there are too many smart asses who love to abuse people.
Try looking at the evidence and form your own opinion rather than being obtuse and denigrating other people who might differ from the narrative. This is why I don't bother with this forum much as there are too many smart asses who love to abuse people.
One thing for sure is that horses arent robots. As a rider you can ask them the question to pick up but if they decide not to what can you do. They gom down or get away with it. Certainly not the fault of the jockey
Apologies if you feel I was being a smart arse , I don't believe I was .
I most certainly have not abused anyone , just discussing with you and others
backwards and forwards, replying to your posts.. I thought it was all friendly , it was certainly meant as such.
The most abusive post on this thread was your original post calling for Hnedersons owners to step in and calling NB a'rank amateur' so when you start calling other people smart arses and abusive maybe you should look a little closer to home ?
I most certainly have not abused anyone , just discussing with you and others
backwards and forwards, replying to your posts.. I thought it was all friendly , it was certainly meant as such.
The most abusive post on this thread was your original post calling for Hnedersons owners to step in and calling NB a'rank amateur' so when you start calling other people smart arses and abusive maybe you should look a little closer to home ?
Maybe you should get your head out of your own backside oneten, arrogance and patronising even in your reply to the OP!! I have called him out many times but you still try to put yourself above anyone else with an opinion and have failed to address his opinion about not needing to be able to ride to have one?
Perhaps the owners of State Man need to "step in". I don`t think so.
2.40 Cheltenham. Nico v Brian Hughes.
Allows Hughes to get the rail despite being on the outside.
Allows Hughes to get first run on him despite having a lot of horse underneath him.
Has to ease up into the final flight as given himself no room.
Has to switch after last fence costing valuable yards.
Not a fluent jump at the last costing momentum.
Rides his usual untidy weak stone hands finish.
The difference between a top class jockey and Nico. Out Nico on Hughes horse and vice versa and it will be much closer.
Allows Hughes to get the rail despite being on the outside.
Allows Hughes to get first run on him despite having a lot of horse underneath him.
Has to ease up into the final flight as given himself no room.
Has to switch after last fence costing valuable yards.
Not a fluent jump at the last costing momentum.
Rides his usual untidy weak stone hands finish.
The difference between a top class jockey and Nico. Out Nico on Hughes horse and vice versa and it will be much closer.
A fair comment Feltfair, i.e how many times has Nico been beaten on Constitution Hill or Jonbon, was Ruby sacked after Annie Power?
The trainers know what they have as do the owners, otherwise they would be on here skint like plenty who howl at the odd mishap.
The trainers know what they have as do the owners, otherwise they would be on here skint like plenty who howl at the odd mishap.
He wouldn’t look out of place in the amateur race tbh….similar style that never changes imv
BTW Newmarket, they never jumped a fence in that race, defending you against oneten just became untenable if that is your knee jerk fixation!!
Cumbersome and stiff in a finish….not good viewing tbh
Luke Morris is hardly good viewing Quixall but like Nico his stats stand scrutiny unlike yourself?
Come you have followed the game for years you know he’s bad……ffs..
Posh trainer with plenty of posh owners take to his posh upbringing…..
Posh trainer with plenty of posh owners take to his posh upbringing…..
You seem to have an issue with "Posh" rather than an objective view, why? What does posh mean to you that has put such a chip on your shoulder?
Watch Mark Walsh and compare with the other person ffs
You couldn’t make it up…..a horseman with style …..
You couldn’t make it up…..a horseman with style …..
Does not alter the stats Quixall nor answers the question of your chip about posh?
Nothing against posh folks quite frankly I couldn’t give a toss….nico looks amateurish in the saddle …..
He admits to almost decking CH during a canter over the last …
He admits to almost decking CH during a canter over the last …
Fair enough Quixall but why keep playing the same tune about "Posh" if that is the case? The likes of Sam Waley Cohen might be termed posh by some but the so called have more balls than most do they not?
Will Lucky Place continue the Forum system? Nico looking a mess but winning, hope so tbh although ew!!
What was galling was Henderson saying it was because of the start that Jonbon lost what a pile of horse shot he lost because NDB was dreadful in his tactile if you want to get a little bit of cover then come inside and get cover don’t ride him on the outside all the way through to the end …it was a shocking to say the least no other excuse needed let’s be honest it was Fechin Dreadful..
About as stylish as Cagliari on the dance floor tbf….
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1231744695462625&set=a.453852376585198
i backed lulamba and thought he had won it, was wondering why nobody was taking my ir short lay
the drone must have shown Poniros flying up the run-in
cant blame Nico for that at all
the drone must have shown Poniros flying up the run-in
cant blame Nico for that at all
Finding a way to lose...The Nico de Boinville story. Once again he has lost on the best horse on the day. All his little mistakes on positioning the horse, when to go for home, being weak in a finish all add up to a half length defeat.
Prime Barry Geraghty has 5 Henderson winners this week.
Prime Barry Geraghty has 5 Henderson winners this week.
Mar 14, 2025 -- 2:35PM, aberdonia wrote:
Fitzy nearly in tears at the defeat of Lulamba...
Poor Fitzy has had a difficult week. He'll need a good rattle tonight.
Newmarket-spurs14 Mar 25 13:34Joined: 26 Jun 12 | Topic/replies: 437 | Blogger: Newmarket-spurs's blog
Finding a way to lose...The Nico de Boinville story. Once again he has lost on the best horse on the day. All his little mistakes on positioning the horse, when to go for home, being weak in a finish all add up to a half length defeat.
Prime Barry Geraghty has 5 Henderson winners this week.
Can't blame Nico there...
Think Mullins entering all those horses some which have never seen a hurdle was bad form. Forced the hand of any fancied horses as they had no option to go forward early on to make sure they were out of the way of horses which had never seen a hurdle. Set it up a bit for a closer.
Finding a way to lose...The Nico de Boinville story. Once again he has lost on the best horse on the day. All his little mistakes on positioning the horse, when to go for home, being weak in a finish all add up to a half length defeat.
Prime Barry Geraghty has 5 Henderson winners this week.
Can't blame Nico there...
Think Mullins entering all those horses some which have never seen a hurdle was bad form. Forced the hand of any fancied horses as they had no option to go forward early on to make sure they were out of the way of horses which had never seen a hurdle. Set it up a bit for a closer.
Theoneandonly doesnt matter how Nico rode it, if it got beat its his fault according to Newmarket Spurs
it was under pressure turning for home and still nearly won, Mullins darts proved to strong in the end
it was under pressure turning for home and still nearly won, Mullins darts proved to strong in the end
What did nico do wrong there ? Had his horse positioned well throughout, put his mount into a winning position over the last and came to win his race, beat the fav , then got done by a fast finisher out wide.
Nothing wrong with that ride in my opinion , unless you backed it and you're pocket talking..
Nothing wrong with that ride in my opinion , unless you backed it and you're pocket talking..
I’m not talking about one race in particular it’s over the piece…..
The mistake 2 out cost it, EID was able to cross it and Nico had to switch outside but the horse came right back on the bridle and I think at that point Nico thought he had everything covered and he sat and waited until approaching the final flight.
The problem was when he did finally commit the horse he took time to get going, perhaps if he committed off the home bend he might have had a couple lengths in hand by the time he got to the final flight...all conjecture though, but do think he was the best horse though.
The problem was when he did finally commit the horse he took time to get going, perhaps if he committed off the home bend he might have had a couple lengths in hand by the time he got to the final flight...all conjecture though, but do think he was the best horse though.
duffy - this is an excellent analysis and I would add one more thing.... Watch him in the drive position, he sits high in the saddle and his left arm is static whilst he waves the whip in his right. It looks ungainly and I can't for the life me imagine it is as effective as Jonjo O'Neil's style. Nico looks like an amateur and that's what he is.
It's not one race its countless times he has screwed up when it is a fine line between success and failure. He lost again on the best horse.
It's not one race its countless times he has screwed up when it is a fine line between success and failure. He lost again on the best horse.
NDB detractors
REELING!
as he brings home bacon 1st at kempers
REELING!
as he brings home bacon 1st at kempers
Nico tried to get that good thing beat at the last hurdle.
i wonder what qualifies some of the critics posting on here... how many races have you rode in.... i sometimes despair!!
First Street never put in the race but was favourite in running! Odd performance by Teddy Blue.
CARDINAL SCOTT..... Please tell me you're being sarcastic? He has just won a £4k novice hurdle where the 11/8 favourite fell.
Of-course he is going to win a few races having the pick of Henderson's best horses but it doesn't change that he is way out of his depth in terms of talent.
Of-course he is going to win a few races having the pick of Henderson's best horses but it doesn't change that he is way out of his depth in terms of talent.
and once again the cystern displays why it is the one and only undisputed greatest known to man beast child woman ond alen lifeform ! ......simply the best ! the gift that keeps on giving !
Tanglefoot, what do you mean he tried to get it beat ? Utter rubbish ..
The point being in winning the first at kempton is he was in the right place at the right time throughout the race.
Winning is not just about the ability to deliver a power packed finish.
It's about putting the horse into a winning spot towards the end of a race having kept it simple by not using all the gas up.
Sure some can drive harder in a finish and look more stylish at it, but what he does do is he's in the right place at the right time in a race and that is worth more than what might be judged as lesser elsewhere .
The point being in winning the first at kempton is he was in the right place at the right time throughout the race.
Winning is not just about the ability to deliver a power packed finish.
It's about putting the horse into a winning spot towards the end of a race having kept it simple by not using all the gas up.
Sure some can drive harder in a finish and look more stylish at it, but what he does do is he's in the right place at the right time in a race and that is worth more than what might be judged as lesser elsewhere .
Newmarket you are exactly right in all your points. I would go further - I think the Irish lads bully him for want of a better word. DeB knows they don't rate him and he goes out to ride fearful and afraid. His head is scrambled. If everything goes right then of course it all looks good but he gets so many of the little things wrong - the fine margins - that this often conspires to get good horses beat. Point - the start was important to Jonbon, so when there was a standing start and the horse was fractionally slowly away, why just accept it and sit fifth? Why didn't he roust the horse up to take a more prominent position? Okay he would have used up a little petrol doing so but as we have seen Jonbon is a different horse when ridden close to the pace. DeB does not have the race nous of the other jocks who were either born into racing families or grew up on the pony scene.
Think if Mr David Maxwell rode Nico’s mounts at Cheltenham there would have been not much difference.
I think the start for Jonbon is a red herring and I don't know why Nico played on it, why didn't he just say they were going to quick, perhaps it's something not easily faced.....IMO both Jonbon and GDC suffered the same fate, they both were having to go a stride quicker than they wanted to and were visibly just on the edge through-out.
With Jonbon it manifested itself through one desperate jump too many which I don't blame the jockey for as he would have felt it was the only way to keep him in the fight and with GDC it caused the well to run from having to tap into the reserves too early.
With Jonbon it manifested itself through one desperate jump too many which I don't blame the jockey for as he would have felt it was the only way to keep him in the fight and with GDC it caused the well to run from having to tap into the reserves too early.
Personally i think NDB rode brilliantly last week .........his ride in the Arkle was sublime and achieved the best position he could on JonBon .....many would have panicked after his mistake and rushed the horse ,he allowed the horse to fill up again, and nab tiring rivals on the run in......thus ensuring a valuable 2nd place......he is a top class horseman...imo
Agree with you totally skip.
His ride on Djamgo wasn't too bad either !
Delivered beautifully in the last 50 yards.
And before anyone says fluke, he didn't scrub it to try and lay up when the others were going a stride too quick for him. Django is a 2,1/2 miler so was always going to be staying on nicely at the business end.
A well judged ride, perfectly ridden.
The knockers vision appears only 'skin deep' in putting style over substance.
His ride on Djamgo wasn't too bad either !
Delivered beautifully in the last 50 yards.
And before anyone says fluke, he didn't scrub it to try and lay up when the others were going a stride too quick for him. Django is a 2,1/2 miler so was always going to be staying on nicely at the business end.
A well judged ride, perfectly ridden.
The knockers vision appears only 'skin deep' in putting style over substance.
I do not dislike de Boinville as a jockey. I think he's well capable of delivering; unfortunate and untimely sequence of events at Cheltenham last week were not his making. What happened with Jonbon could have happened to any jockey. Even though Jonbon and Lulamba did not win I do not blame him. He did the best for the horses to finish 2nd.
I can trust de Boinville and I'm more than happy to back his mounts (fav or not) in the future. I know he can silence his doubters at Aintree and Punchestown on Jonbon and Constitution Hill respectively. And, Sir Gino and Lulamba next season.
I can trust de Boinville and I'm more than happy to back his mounts (fav or not) in the future. I know he can silence his doubters at Aintree and Punchestown on Jonbon and Constitution Hill respectively. And, Sir Gino and Lulamba next season.
AP McCoy was a top jockey,I have not got the same opinion of Nico who is riding for one of the top stables in England and so has a pick of the best horses to ride,my report card,can do better.
Nico is proof imo , that most jockeys would win, most of the time on top class horses. He looks like he should be riding in hunter chases from the 1980s to me..But im no expert..
He wouldnt be my choice as a stable jockey but Nicky seems to have full faith in him, as do the owners.
He wouldnt be my choice as a stable jockey but Nicky seems to have full faith in him, as do the owners.
Personally, I'd have de boinville over McCoy. I understand McCoy had won many big races however, he did ride the best horse in almost every race, best supported too.
Nico de Boinville did not have a good Cheltenham but, that does not mean he's not up to the task at Seven Barrows. I'll back and have him ride the stable number 1 any time over another jockey.
Nico de Boinville did not have a good Cheltenham but, that does not mean he's not up to the task at Seven Barrows. I'll back and have him ride the stable number 1 any time over another jockey.
impossible 123 if you think stonehands ,is within one stone of AP,I must take it as the best joke as of this century FFS
Reminded me of Mr Munroe-Wilson riding there on the hotpot Go To War tailed off.
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