Paul Mulrennan column: inside track on my Sunday rides

Northern Express took the Moet & Chandon International Stakes at Ascot last weekend, and I chase further valuable prize money in the Sky Bet Sunday Series at Haydock Park on Sunday.

As I said last week, Northern Express gives his all race after race, season after season, competing in all the top-level handicaps at York and Ascot. He didn’t cost the earth, so is a credit to Michael Dods and his staff. The cheekpieces brought a little bit extra from him.

It is for Jim Goldie though, that Letsbefrank (5.45pm) and American Affair (6.15pm) go bonus-seeking at Haydock. Such opportunities don’t present themselves by chance, with everyone connected with the yard playing their part along the way.

The owners keep the show on the road, buying these horses, paying the bills month after after month, so it is nice to have the opportunity to hopefully get something positive back. The owners of both horses have been incredibly supportive to Jim (and me) over many years. It’ll be fantastic if we can complete the job.

Letsbefrank ran well at York on his first attempt over two miles, despite jumping a little slowly from the stalls, which resulted in us being further back than was ideal. He’s still young, raw, and only improving. I don’t think that we have reached the bottom of him yet.

American Affair has climbed a further 8lb to a new mark of 88 but is still on the upgrade, and Jim has shown what can be done with other horses like Jordan Electrics. By comparison, American Affair hasn’t had anywhere near that level of racing, so consequently, remains open to improvement.

Patience is one of the most important assets to possess and repeatedly, the approach taken by Jim Goldie reaps rewards. Some people are quick to write a horse off after one or two moderate runs, but that simply isn’t Jim’s style. You should never be afraid of being beaten in this game. If a horse is just 1 or 2% below-par, you’ll struggle to win. Life is a marathon, not a sprint, so whatever the outcome on Sunday, fair play to Jim for mapping out these races for these horses.

Jordan Electrics (7.40pm) adores Park. He has won six times so far this year, including on each of his last four visits to the Lanarkshire venue. I’m really looking forward to riding him again, and as I said on Racing TV after winning the Scottish Stewards’ Cup, “I’m just booked to do the steering.”

Even though he’s a very straightforward horse, it is some feat of training from Jim Goldie to improve an 8yo by 25lbs in the space of just three months. He’s now rated 96 with a career record of 15-70, with his versatility in terms of distance (5f or 6f) a major strength. However, because of that fast-rising mark, there mightn’t be too many more opportunities to compete at Hamilton after Saturday evening, but I’m sure that Jim will formulate a suitable plan.

Rory (6.40pm) has been in fine form, getting the 7f well when successful at Musselburgh. I had a good draw on that occasion in a race where there was plenty of early pace. He tackles a new trip at Hamilton – his first run beyond a mile - so we’ll see how that goes from this 4lb higher mark.

Faylaq (8.10pm) hasn’t been easy to win with, but usually runs a good solid race at Hamilton (form figures 464323353), so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go close in the Apex Traffic Management Ltd Handicap. I was too far back in a steadily run Northumberland Vase at and he couldn’t work his way into contention.

My other rides are Carvalhal (6.10pm), Classy Al (7.10pm), and Humble Spark (8.40pm), and it isn’t difficult to make a reasoned case for any of those three.

The stable staff charity race at Thirsk raised approximately £20,000 in support of Graham Lee and the Injured Jockeys’ Fund (IJF), but unfortunately, racing must draw together again to seek support for another rider.

Alice Procter, who was injured in a fall at Cartmel on July 20th, left intensive care at the Royal Preston Hospital earlier this week, with a statement from the IJF explaining,

“As a consequence of Alice’s fall, she sustained an injury to the spinal cord in the thoracic region which is affecting the lower half of her body. This will require further careful evaluation to guide future treatment and rehabilitation.”

Speaking on behalf of everyone from the Flat weighing room, we would like to pass on our thoughts, prayers, and ongoing messages of support to Alice and her family. A has been set up for Alice, so please (if able to do so) consider donating for Alice in her time of need.