Paul Mulrennan Column: I’ve got high hopes for Jer Batt

It’s no secret that I love riding at York. It’s a fabulous track which has again offered so much in 2024, from Economics in the Dante, to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International, and Magical Zoe winning the Ebor. 

From a personal perspective, I’ve had various near misses there this year via Northern Express, Jordan Electrics, and Letsbefrank. 

I have four booked rides on Saturday, so it would be fantastic if one of them is able to get me over the line in front. Fingers crossed! 

I’m hoping that Jer Batt can run a big race for David and Nicola Barron in the Coral Sprint Trophy (2.40pm). 

The soft ground will be fine, and all his form is rock-solid. A big field at York should suit, with plenty of runners and plenty of pace. 

I rode him for the first time at Haydock recently where we found ourselves caught out on the wing. We’re drawn in stall 15 (of 22) so, with the benefit of Friday’s racing to draw upon, we can work out a suitable plan. 

Euchen Glen (2.05pm), above, posted a brave performance at Ayr, bumping into a thriving young rival in Kihavah, who had finished runner-up in the Ebor only a month prior. 

He still possesses ability the old boy; he’s drawn well, the ground will be perfect, so hopefully he can run another solid race. He’s been an incredible horse over the years, with Jim (Goldie) deserving all the plaudits for ensuring that he has maintained his enthusiasm. 

Declan Carroll’s Emiyn (4.30pm) is a solid all-round performer who likes to bowl along close to the pace. 

He ran a super race when runner-up to Zoffee in the Chester Cup in May. With Chester finished for the year, his trainer has been forced to seek opportunities elsewhere. The visor returns, he drops back into a Class 3, and this is his second run back from a mid-season break, so there are plenty of positives in a good competitive handicap featuring several last-time winners. 

I haven’t ridden Baryshnikov (5.05pm) before either but do know that he’s close to his last winning mark and is certain to appreciate the soft ground. He finished fourth for Alice Keighley in the Queen Mother’s Cup over 1m 4f here in June and was also fifth in this race in successive years behind Marronnier (2020), and Something Enticing (2021). 

Hamilton and Ayr have staged their final Flat fixtures of the year so, with just two days left at Musselburgh, the 2024 Scottish Flat season is steadily concluding. 

I’ve ridden 41 winners across the three Scottish tracks – Ayr (16), Hamilton (13), Musselburgh (12) - this year, which accounts for 45% of my yearly total. Annandale, winner number 91, moved me three ahead of last year’s tally of 88. 

As a freelance jockey, I’m incredibly fortunate to receive continued support from Jim Goldie, Iain Jardine, Lucinda Russell, and many others. 

Whenever I’m travelling north to Scotland, I’m presented with opportunity after opportunity of riding winners. 

The people there have been, and continue to be, kind. It’s great! The plan is to keep pushing on, forge new connections, and to stay fit and healthy, as I make a sustained push for another century and beyond. 

The amount of money changing hands at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sales at Newmarket was incredible. 

Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing Limited alone have spent close to £20 million on yearlings, including a Wootton Bassett colt (4.3m guineas), and a Frankel filly (4.4m guineas).  

We can only look at such investment as being positive. It is highly encouraging to see the sport drawing in newcomers from ‘non-racing’ backgrounds. 

These sales create a sense of excitement for everyone involved, and we’ll look forward to seeing what these beautifully bred horses can achieve on the racecourse in 2025 and beyond. 

I took an unexpected tumble at Pontefract on Monday and was fortunate to emerge unscathed. 

Sadly, Callum Shepherd didn’t have the same luck on his side at Kempton on Wednesday, fracturing two vertebrae and a collarbone, in a fall from Military Decoration. 

I’d like to take the opportunity to wish Callum a speedy recovery. We’ll look forward to seeing you back in action in Bahrain, Dubai, and elsewhere over the winter. 

I rode a nice juvenile, Very Muddy Waters, for Declan Carroll at Redcar last Saturday. 

As the first foal from a Listed-placed 1m2f-1m4f winner, he galloped all the way to the line in pursuit of the more experienced odds-on favourite Binhareer. 

It was an impressive performance first-time out in testing conditions, and he’s the type to do better again over further.