Your week in racing: killer colours, championship talk and rule-change concerns

Jump racing had to move over for the start of the Flat season on the turf this weekend and there were plenty of talking points and horses to note . . .

Performance of the week

Nothing else came close to that of Addeybb’s in the Lincoln. Rarely can a heritage handicap been won with such complete authority. Rarely can that cliche ‘a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper’ have been so appropriate for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s colt. When trainer William Haggas said as much after the runaway win many punters already have a horse to follow for the year.

Disappointment of the week

Some traditions are worth keeping and the reaction of racing insiders to the continuing discrepancy of the jockeys' title not starting until Guineas weekend at Newmarket on May 5 is one modernisation not entirely embraced. Yes the top names were off to Dubai for the week for the World Cup build-up but many still believe a champion jockey has to work for his or her title – the jumping fraternity have no such quibbles about rolling up their sleeves for the long haul. Perversely with the move made to try and benefit the Group 1-winning riders it is the hard-working Silvestre de Sousa who has made it his own.

Izzer: landed the Brocklesby for Mick Channon at Doncaster on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

One for the quiz books

Mick Channon, footballer and racehorse trainer, has launched plenty of quiz questions but he outdid himself this week. After sending out Mister Whitaker to win the Close Brothers novice handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival last week the West Ilsley trainer won the first two-year-old race of the Flat season that is the Brocklesby with Izzer (above). In both cases there was quite a gamble landed so it was far from unexpected.

Can’t keep them out of the news

That is, Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell and Jack Kennedy after their memorable Cheltenham Festival. The winners just kept flowing through the week with Elliott adding 16 this week including the Ulster National at Downpatrick on Sunday with Kennedy and Russell fighting out the finish until a loose horse intervened in the trainer's one-three rather than one-two.

Picture of the week

Killer colours: the new dartboard silks of owner Tiffin Sandwiches at Doncaster on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Killer colours. Racing's latest way of improving its public engagement with some innovative colours. This dartboard design of owner Tiffin Sandwiches sported by Tony Hamilton at Doncaster on Saturday drew plenty of comment but didn't hit the bullseye in the race.

Tweet of the week

Bryan Smart raises questions about the BHA's upcoming rule change with reference to their 'horse comes first' policy.

Quote of the week

"I think he's pretty good"
A deadpan William Haggas on his emphatic Lincoln winner Addeybb.

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