Mensen and Mordred Mean Business.
Mon 19 Sep 2022
WINNER 110 OF 2022: MENSEN ERNST, trained by Simone Brogi and ridden by Mlle Anaelle Mekouche: The 'Prix Francois Corbel' over 2,150m at Landivisau.
Back down in trip this time, he set off towards the rear, but the field were well grouped. Coming down the back straight, you could spot the flashy chesnut beginning to pick them off. Coming around the home bend, he hit the front and although challenged, managed to knuckle down and take the win and the marvellous 5-timer!
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.france-galop.com/en/racing/detail/2022/P/V0RibzJ0VDlnVzJhVHEyNFZtV2FzUT09.
Simone was delighted that he won again and with 15 wins to his name, that's some achievement. He tells us that Mensen Ernst is currently the winning-most horse in France - wow!! Well done to the team in France and Mensen's owners, who continue to build quite a nice sum of prize money and French owner premiums won by him.
WINNER 111 OF 2022: MORDRED, trained by Milton Harris and ridden by Mitchell Bastyan: The 'Sash Window Experts Maiden Hurdle' over 2m 1 1/2f at Plumpton.
A reduced field, which meant that tactics could play their part, but whatever plans the favourite and the other runner made, Mordred had his own plans! Setting off in front, he set a steady pace, jumping his hurdles well. At the fourth last, still leading though, he wasn't as fluent, but Mitch was able to have a look behind him, coming around the home bend to see where the other two were. He just injected a bit more pace and was in command, just hitting the last, he ran on well to win by 5 lengths.
A third win for us and his first over obstacles.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Plumpton/18-September-2022/1350
Timeform rated it as a joint career best 101, saying: "Confirmed the promise of his last run, finally recapturing his fair hurdling debut form for another yard in the ultimate low-pressure scenario; dictated at pedestrian pace, kept mistakes to minimum, quickened home turn, in command last.”
Mitchell said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He has taken a while to get the hang of his jumping, but he settled well today, so he could concentrate at his hurdles. Very pleased." Milton was also in attendance and said: "He's run a blinder. We put ear plugs in today, as well as the hood and he didn't rush as much. We may run him over fences next. He has been a fun horse for his owners, having won £30,000 in St Moritz and we are likely to head back there again next year."
Syndicate manager of both horses, Tim says: "Well, I have to hand it to Milton, for getting Mordred to focus on his jumping, that was much better. That leaves us two winners ahead of our 2021 total of 109, great work by all our trainers and the jockeys. Thank you everyone.”